Zele is kid dynamite for Lancers

FOOTBALL /// Grace Brethren Lancers
Freshman QB leads Grace Brethren into CIF-SS Division 8 semifinals



GROWING UP—Grace Brethren High football quarterback Mike Zele, left, throws the ball against Millikan last weekend in a 29-22 Lancer win. Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

GROWING UP—Grace Brethren High football quarterback Mike Zele, left, throws the ball against Millikan last weekend in a 29-22 Lancer win. Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

Just after 10 p.m. on Friday, two children bounced up and down in the shadow of Moorpark College’s football stadium, ignoring the cold.

The boys, donning Grace Brethren Lancers youth football jerseys, recapped the high school team’s 29-22 comeback victory against Millikan in the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 playoff quarterfinals on Nov. 17.

“Mikey did really good tonight,” the shorter child told the other, referring to Grace Brethren’s 15-year-old quarterback Mike Zele.

TURN THE CORNER— Grace Brethren receiver/safety Jauqine Vukobradovich, left, tries to outrun Millkan’s Justin Bailey during the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 quarterfinals on Nov. 17 at Moorpark College. The Lancers won, 29-22. They will play Silverado tonight on the road in the section semifinals.

TURN THE CORNER— Grace Brethren receiver/safety Jauqine Vukobradovich, left, tries to outrun Millkan’s Justin Bailey during the CIF-Southern Section Division 8 quarterfinals on Nov. 17 at Moorpark College. The Lancers won, 29-22. They will play Silverado tonight on the road in the section semifinals.

“He’s a freshman,” the taller boy responded.

Really?!?”

Mike Zele

Mike Zele

The shocked reaction from the young fan is nothing new.

It’s the same surprise that overcomes many who learn the poised Lancer gunslinger is only a few months into his prep career.

For a freshman, tossed into the starting role during summer passing league tournaments, Zele has fared well managing pressure and expectations that come with leading a varsity football team.

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound quarterback certainly didn’t look distressed while guiding the Lancers to a 15-point fourth quarter against Millikan. His solid performance helped Grace Brethren (10-2 overall) reach the section semifinals against Silverado (11-1); kickoff is slated for 7 tonight on the road.

While Grace Brethren pounded Millikan on the ground, Zele completed two crucial third-down passes in the fourth quarter to keep drives—and the team’s season—alive.

 

 

He completed three of 10 pass attempts for 28 yards, but he made the throws when the Lancers needed them most. Just enough? Zele’s done more than enough as the only freshman starting quarterback in Acorn country.

Zele is not trying to make SportsCenter highlight plays. He doesn’t care about individual stats. The only numbers that matter to Zele are on the ones on the scoreboard. He wants to help his team succeed. He wants his seniors to have a memorable final season. He wants to win.

“I know there’s a lot of pressure on me because I can change a game in a second,” Zele said. “I just try to do my part and make sure I control the ball.”

 

 

Those are wise words from the youngest of three boys in a football family.

The son of Ohio natives Louie and Patti, Mike’s the third Zele brother to grow up in Grace Brethren’s football program.

His oldest brother, Sisto, who is now a U.S. Marine, played linebacker for the Lancers before graduating in 2016. Louie Jr., the middle brother who graduated in the spring, battled on the offensive line for Grace Brethren; he now roams the trenches at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Kansas.

“They’re as tough or tougher than any kid on the team,” head coach Josh Henderson said of the Zele boys. “Mikey’s more on the skilled end, but he follows the family. You know what you’re going to get out of a Zele in the playoffs. They’re people you can count on and trust.”

 

 

Don’t be fooled by what he did last weekend—Zele is capable of putting up big numbers.

“When called upon, Mikey can throw the ball or run,” the coach said. “He really is a dualthreat quarterback. His team counts on him, and he’s consistent. He’s doing a great job for us in all aspects of the game.”

Zele, who is also a versatile baseball player, has thrown for less than 100 yards seven times this year, but he’s also surpassed 200 yards three times. He’s thrown three or more touchdowns in four games this fall.

He had his best game against Crean Lutheran on Sept. 29. Zele completed 23 of 31 attempts for a career-high 393 yards and four touchdowns.

He’s connected on 54 percent of passes this season for 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

When the ground game struggles, Henderson said, he doesn’t hesitate relying on Zele’s arm. The coach said he certainly won’t mind attacking Silverado in the air if the adversary attempts to stack the box in the semifinals.

Lancer teammates trust the freshman.

“He tries to get us the ball, and he works hard,” senior receiver Jermel Jones said. “He’s going to be a great quarterback. He’s working now towards it. I’m excited to see how he’ll be junior and senior year.”

Zele, who grew up watching his brothers help Grace Brethren thrive in the postseason in recent years, said he’s excited to finally be on the field and contributing.

He’s waited patiently for his opportunity to make an impact.

“It’s here now, and it’s exciting,” Zele said. “I want to do whatever I can to help the team.”

Email Jonathan Andrade at jandrade@theacorn.com.