Grace Brethren uses big plays to earn big win over Rio Mesa
Grace Brethren had four touchdowns of 20 yards or more en route to a 38-0 victory over host Rio Mesa on Friday night.
Grace Brethren uses big plays to earn big win over Rio Mesa Grace Brethren had four touchdowns of 20 yards or more en route to a 38-0 victory over host Rio Mesa on Friday night. Check out this story on vcstar.com: https://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2018/09/08/grace-brethren-uses-big-plays-earn-big-win-over-rio-mesa/1230066002/
Eric Evelhoch, Special to Ventura County Star Published 10:40 p.m. PT Sept. 7, 2018 | Updated 10:48 p.m. PT Sept. 7, 2018
Moorpark High heroics, Jackson Sterling's record night and a heavyweight battle between Westlake and Oxnard highlight Week 2's Plays of the Week Joe Curley, joe.curley@vcstar.com, 805-437-0276
Grace Brethren(Photo: Contributed)
The big play was the order of the day for the Grace Brethren High football team.
The Lancers had four touchdowns of 20 yards or more en route to a 38-0 victory over host Rio Mesa on Friday night at Elmont Michaelson Stadium.
"It was a solid performance for us on all sides of the ball," said Grace Brethren head coach Josh Henderson.
Junior wide receiver Payton Gourley scored three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving), while senior running back Lontrelle Diggs carried 15 times for 92 yards. Sophomore quarterback Mikey Zele completed four of eight passes for 107, while rushing eight times for 114 yards for the Lancers (3-1).
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Grace Brethren scored on its opening drive of the game, melting the opening 5:16 to traverse 80 yards. After connecting with senior tight end Avery Cook to perch just shy of the red zone, Zele scampered free for the only touchdown of the first quarter — a 21-yard rush to put Grace Brethren in front.
The Lancers added a 27-yard field goal in the early stages of the second quarter as senior kicker Kevin Aranda made good from the left hash. It was the only points either side could muster before halftime, with Grace Brethren holding a 10-0 lead.
Rio Mesa junior quarterback Gabriel Gambala was under pressure for much of the game, with the Grace Brethren defensive front regularly getting into the backfield and causing havoc. Gambala completed 15 of 21 passes for 111 yards, while also rushing nine times for 15 yards. The Lancers held the Rio Mesa running backs to just 13 yards on 12 carries.
Gourley notched his first touchdown in the third quarter, pushing the advantage out to 17-0 after the Spartans went three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half. Grace Brethren took advantage of strong field position, driving 38 yards before the 9-yard scoring run.
Rio Mesa (2-2) had its best offensive opportunity late in the third quarter. The Spartans drove from their own 27-yard line all the way down to the Grace Brethren 1. The Lancers held at the goal line three times, including on fourth-and-goal to start the final quarter.
"That shifted momentum purely in our favor alone, and that's what we need from our defense. Guys stepped up and made those plays," Henderson said.
Zele scored his second rushing touchdown on the ensuing possession, using a play fake to misdirect the Rio Mesa defense and then racing free up the gut for an 81-yard touchdown run. Gourley scored the final two touchdowns of the night, scoring on a 20-yard rush following a fumble, then getting open over the middle on a slant route for a 62-yard touchdown reception.
"Gourley is someone we we need to have in the offense more. He proved tonight that he can make plays when he gets the ball," said Henderson.
Grace Brethren continues a four-game road swing next week, facing Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth. Rio Mesa is on the road next Friday at Chatsworth.