It's all systems go for head coach Terry Gourley and the Grace Brethren High football team.

Back after a one-year hiatus from coaching the Lancers, Gourley and his hardworking staff have GBHS poised for a high-flying act on the gridiron.

Returning for the Lancers are a trio of standout seniors—quarterback Kevin Ramay, a three-year varsity starter who threw for a school record 2,153 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, Travis Sproat, the talented wide receiver/ linebacker who found the end zone 11 times as a junior, and wide receiver/running back/safety Ryan Curnel, a versatile playmaker who averaged 7.1 yards per rush on 51 carries in 2007.

Throw into the mix Gourley's new nohuddle offense and, perhaps most important, a move from the TriValley League to the Frontier League during the offseason—in addition to a switch from the CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division to the East Valley Division—and the Lancers feel like they are legitimate league title contenders. "Even though the (Frontier League) schools are all still bigger than us, it puts us into a situation where we can play with them and we're not going to get run off the field by depth," said Gourley, whose team will suit up 22 players on the varsity team.

"With our skill level, we think we're better than all four of those (Frontier) programs. Even if we have an injury, it's not the end of the world."

Since joining the Tri-Counties Athletic Association during its inception two years ago, Grace Brethren posted a 2-8 overall record in Tri-Valley League play.

During its re-leaguing cycle, the TCAA moved Grace Brethren to the Frontier League in most sports, including football.

Now, instead of facing powerhouse programs such as Oaks Christian, Oak Park and Nordhoff in league competition—Grace Brethren still plays Oak Park in a non-league matchup on September 12—the Lancers' Frontier League foes include Fillmore, Santa Paula, Villanova Prep and Malibu.

"To look at the schedule and not have Oaks Christian on there, that's a positive thing," Gourley said.

With such a limited roster in terms of bodies, several Grace Brethren players will contribute on offense, defense and special teams. In that capacity, Sproat and Curnel are expected to make the biggest impact.

Sproat, who averaged 15.7 yards per catch in '07, will play outside linebacker for the first time in his career. He'll also be the team's primary punt returner. To prepare his body for the rigors of the season ahead, Sproat put on 15 pounds of muscle.

"During the offseason, we worked a lot," Sproat said. "I don't even know how some of the guys made it through, but we've trained our bodies to handle all four quarters."

Last year, Curnel logged 362 rushing yards and 466 receiving yards, making him one of Ramay's go-to guys on offense. He's also been recognized as a leader both in and out of the classroom and was recently voted Grace Brethren's Student Body Chaplain. Entering his senior year, Curnel is focused as much on the Lancers' defensive play as he is on the team's offensive production. "If we swarm to the ball, we'll definitely make a lot more tackles than we did a year ago," Curnel said. "That was a problem for us—getting to the ball—but we should be much better now."

Despite a group of talented young players such as defensive lineman Deacon Dobbs and linebackers Brandon Pullen and Max Leffler, as well as a proven coordinator and last year's head coach Mark Hoefler leading the unit, even Gourley admits it'll be tough for Grace Brethren to win with defense.

The name of the game for the Lancers these days is scoring points in bunches.

"Everybody knows we have to score three out of four times," Gourley said. "If we score three out of four, we'll win. If we score two out of four, it's probably going to come down to whoever has the ball last. . . .

"I don't like to punt. We haven't practiced punting one time. We'll practice the punt, but we don't ever kick the ball. If we kick the ball, it's out of pure desperation," Gourley said.

"We're trying to go for it on fourth down. We're onside kicking every time—if we're within three touchdowns or up three touchdowns—because at any time teams can score on us."

With Ramay pulling the trigger in the team's uptempo offense, Grace Brethren appears to be in good hands.

The signal-caller is the school's all-time leader in pass attempts (652), completions (353), passing yards (3,834), completion percentage (54.1) and touchdown passes (37). He's also an accomplished runner, having led the team in rushing yards a year ago.

Ramay said the offense is well-equipped to handle the new no-huddle system Gourley wants run on occasion.

"The coaches have done a really good job of preparing us for it," Ramay said, "not only preparing us on the field, but in the classroom, on video and on the blackboard as well."

Protecting Ramay will be an offensive line that features left tackle Gabriel Crooks, left guard Jerry McClure, center Michael Spafford, right guard Tommy Houghtalin and right tackle Nick Schmidt.

"I had some doubts way back, but I've seen their progression, and it's amazing," Ramay said of the offensive line.

"They've done a phenomenal job and have developed way better than I ever imagined they could. They are going to be pretty good."

Grace Brethren opens its season on Sat., Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Big Bear High. All Lancer home games are played at Moorpark College.

GBHS games

Sat., Sept. 6 at Big Bear
Fri., Sept. 12 at Oak Park
Fri., Sept. 19 vs. Franklin
Fri., Sept. 26 at Carpinteria
Fri., Oct. 3 vs. Paraclete
Fri., Oct. 10 vs. B. Diego
Fri., Oct. 17 vs. Malibu
Fri., Oct. 31 vs. Villa. Prep
Fri., Nov. 7 at Fillmore
Fri., Nov. 14 at Santa Paula
Note: Home games played
at Moorpark College.