It's over

They may have wanted the story of the Athenians against the Persians or Charles Martel against the Arabs, but Lighthouse Christian Academy's battle -- despite a dazzling display of force and finesse -- was that of Col. Custer.

"We laid the boom on the other team," boasted head coach Zach Scribner. "But it was the classic David vs. Goliath. When they were looking at the schedule, probably the other team was happy to play us because we were 2 and 6. But I can guarantee that walking off the field they wished they could have played anybody else because nobody is as physical as us. Nine guys against 40. If we just had a few more guys, we would have been able to beat them. At the end of the game, they were all limping."

LCA got its playoff spot unexpectedly. The Saints had lost most of their games, but those losses were against high-ranking division 1 teams. In their own division 2, they were 2-2. The surprise playoff call-up also meant they were matched against a top bracket team.

"We knew what we were up against," Coach Zach said.

Lancaster Baptist School had both an offense and a defense. Most Lighthouse players played every single down. Given the uneven match-up, the result was nothing to be ashamed of: 27-68.

It wasn't realistic to believe the impossible dream. Still the Saints played brash ball. Hosea Ashcraft -- who has been the team's enforcer all season -- was again at his antics of laying hard hits on key players, sowing misgivings and intimidation in their hearts.

"I felt like I hit the Great Wall of China," said the battering ram, who was taken out of play in the third quarter because a face guard penetrated and hit his bridge of nose, drawing blood and momentarily impairing his vision.

Fellow senior Marcus Scribner burst with scintillating sprints, jig-jagging his way through opponents. When finally tackled, he would make sure to pummel his tackler in a bid to knock out of him the will to fight.

It was glorious to see, also, Pat Cannon gunning some pinpoint passes. The skater-turned-QB made a wild dash in a sweep to cheekily score with his hand outstretched to pass the ball over the line at the cone in the last three seconds of the first half to keep LCA in the game 14-37.

"Everybody left this field with his head held high," said assistant coach Justin Kayne. "They played amazing football. I'm so proud."

Friday's game was the first time Lighthouse 8-man football got into CIF southern section playoff since six years ago.

"The reality is we kicked their butts," said assistant coach Josh Scribner, the older brother to head coach Zach.

Lighthouse would have needed more than just spirit to win round 1 playoff. It would have needed perfection, luck and opponents mistakes. The Eagles had generally bigger guys and linemen could punch holes in the defense for some athletic runs.

Unfortunately, Lighthouse fumbled deep in its territory early in the second half, essentially dooming their comeback rally. In the fourth quarter, Marcus stripped the ball from an opponent on a 4th down punt to revive LCA's hopes. But an interception and another fumble spoiled the fun.

At the final whistle, many of the boys cried, disappointed either over the loss or because their season is over, or both.

"This team loves each other. You would lay down your lives for each other," said Coach Josh. "There is nothing I could be more proud of. You played your guts out. You played really well. You had some bad breaks. You got banged up a little bit. I'm proud to be your coach."

To read about other LCA games, click links:

• Against Teach Tech.
• Against Downey Calvary Chapel
• Against Beacon Hill Classical Academy.

• Against Milken Community School.
• Against Meadows School.
• Against Hillcrest Christian.
• Against Calvary Chapel La Verne.
• Against Cal Lutheran Wildomar.