GRACE HAS FOES SHOUTING MERCY.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

The eight-man football team at Grace Brethren has gone from doormat to bully in a relatively short time.

Before this season the Lancers (4-0-1) were typically on the receiving end of some extremely lopsided defeats. In fact many times the Lancers' games were called because of the 45-point mercy rule.

Before this season many players were unsure how to even put their equipment on - many had never played tackle football before. Sometimes there were barely enough participants to field the required eight players.

How times have changed.

Now it's the Lancers who can dish out mercy-rule drubbings. There are 24 players on the roster, so first-year coach Dennis Stephenson can keep them fresh instead of having to play the entire game.

``It wasn't instantaneous,'' Stephenson said of the team's turnaround. ``The school is growing, every year the upper grades get larger and larger. In fact we have the largest senior class in school history with 29.''

Numbers along with experience have fueled the rise.

``I think we're better because everyone from last year's team is back,'' sophomore quarterback Jackson Beauchamp said. ``That year of playing together has helped us grow.''

Said Stephenson: ``In previous years the team played with freshman starters at key positions. You can't do that and expect to be successful.''

After going winless in 1995 the team improved to 3-4 last season and has become dominant this year.

Last week the Lancers defeated defending Heritage League champion L.A. Lutheran 25-20 - a significant event made even more dramatic by the way Grace Brethren won the game.

Trailing 20-19 with five seconds left, the Lancers captured the victory as time expired when Beauchamp connected with John Durso on a 19-yard pass play.

``It was tremendous,'' Stephenson, who had no prior coaching experience, said. ``It was homecoming and people ran onto the field to celebrate.''

The victory upstaged the previous week's 28-26 thriller against Price Christian.

The close games have helped build the team's confidence. Today at 1 p.m., the Lancers play host to Pilgrim, likely the toughest team remaining on the schedule.

``If we can get past them we could win the league title,'' Stephenson said. ``But we know it's another hurdle. They are a very good team, and we'll have to play well against our other opponents after that.''

It's all occurring so fast for the Lancers - victories, celebrations and possible league titles.

``Really I had no clue we'd do this well,'' Beauchamp said. ``Well, in the very beginning I thought we might be OK or even have a decent record, but I didn't think we'd be this good.''

Senior running back David Stephenson, the coach's son, said: ``Two years ago we didn't win any games, so it's a little surprising that we have the best record in school history.''

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Photo

PHOTO Coach Dennis Stephenson works with the undefeated Grace Brethren team during practice in Simi Valley.

Phil McCarten / Daily News