Alemany Victory Semisweet for Bonds

MISSION HILLS —  Alemany High and second-year Coach Jim Bonds moved to a new level Friday night, beating Lancaster, 14-7, at Alemany and advancing to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

The reward for moving into the upper echelon of prep football? Alemany (9-3) earns a shot at Hart, a perennial region power and the school Bonds led to a Southern Section title at quarterback in 1986.

Hart beat St. Francis in another quarterfinal, 51-12.

“I said that if we play Hart, that I hoped it would be in the final,” Bonds said. “They’re really good. We have to play a lot better than we did tonight if we want to have a chance to win.”

Alemany, led by quarterback Casey Clausen and running back DeAndre Scott, survived intense pressure from the Eagles’ defense.

Clausen completed 17 of 28 passes for 214 yards and Scott ran for two touchdowns, including a 25-yard dash for the winning score with 7:25 to play.

Lancaster led, 7-6, going ahead on a 44-yard run by Percy Abrams as time ran out in the third quarter.

The Eagles (9-3) had an opportunity to put the game away on Alemany’s next possession.

Jimmy Richard, a Lancaster defensive lineman, picked up a fumble and promptly coughed up the ball, with Alemany recovering.

The referees ruled possession changed, allowing the Indians to start with a new set of downs, setting up the winning drive.

Alemany’s defense overcame any shortcomings from the offense with Derek Goodman and Mike Arguello intercepting passes.

Lancaster, with its run-oriented offense, moved past midfield only three times.

“Our defense played great all night,” Bonds said.