Phil Grams isn’t quibbling over “hosting” postseason games on the road.

Ripon Christian’s coach is just grateful for the Knights to be part of the postseason once again, and their next opponent, Stone Ridge Christian, also knows the feeling.

The two programs are among the three sanctioned by the Sac-Joaquin Section for their participation in club football during the pandemic-shortened 2021 spring season. All three, Capital Christian of Sacramento being the other, were banned from postseason play last year. They regained eligibility over the summer when the SJS agreed to the lighten the punishment, as long as the sanctioned programs do not host playoff games for the season.

“We’re both so blessed to be playing after where our teams have been and what we’ve been able to do and overcome,” Grams said. “Everybody wants to make a big deal about not playing at home, but I told our community we’re blessed and honored to still be playing. It doesn’t matter where, it’s going to be a good time.”

Top-seeded Ripon Christian and No. 4 Stone Ridge from Merced — both 9-2 — tangle Friday at Oakdale High, home of “The Corral,” for an SJS Division VII semifinal. RC rocked No. 8 Rio Vista 57-0, and Stone Ridge traveled to No. 5 Mariposa and rolled, 36-13.

“Oakdale is a great place to play,” Grams said. “They have great facilities and it’s on (artificial) turf, so no matter what the field conditions are going to be good. A bunch of our students, players and even a couple coaches live in Oakdale, so for us it’s a home away from home.”

In another interesting twist, this semifinal showdown pits cousin against cousin, as Ripon Christian guard/linebacker Dustin Hoekstra goes head-to-head with 6-2, 225-pound tight end/defensive tackle Mike Vander Woude (57 tackles, 11 for losses). They so happen to be the leading tacklers for their teams.

“It’s fun, but at the same time nerve wracking because you respect and care about the guys on the other side,” Grams said.

It’s also a battle between modern versions of old-school offensive systems — Stone Ridge’s run-heavy double wing against Ripon Christian’s fly.

Stone Ridge running back Hector Esquivez is the fifth-leading rusher in the SJS with 1,759 yards (11.0 per carry) to go with 15 touchdowns. Micah Millikan has contributed 744 yards (9.9 per carry) and four TDs

Quarterback Noah Lund has taken advantage of his few opportunities to throw, completing 35 of 58 passes for 781 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception. Max Friedman, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound receiver, has reeled in 21 of those passes for 466 yards and nine TDs.

Stone Ridge averages 334.9 rushing yards and 71.6 passing.

“They’ll get in more diverse sets than most double-wing teams will get in,” Grams said. “They’re not one dimensional by any means, but we have to take away the double end and double tight first and work from there.

“We’ve spent a lot of practice time to rep that and the wrinkles they add off of it. Our defensive coordinator (Eddie Erdelatz) does a great job, and the kids buy into his game planning.”

Second-seeded Le Grand (9-2) and No. 3 Woodland Christian (10-1) are in the other semifinal. The championship round is on Nov. 25 or 26 at Sacramento City College or St. Mary’s of Stockton.

One of Stone Ridge’s defeats came against Woodland Christian, 21-14. The other was to Mother Lode League runner-up Summerville, 34-26, which is in the Division VI semifinals.

Stone Ridge owns two Section titles, one in Division IV (1995) and the other in Division VII (2019). Ripon Christian is still chasing its first after falling its first three SJS finals appearances in 2013, 2017 and 2018.

“We were hoping to be on opposite sides of the bracket and have this be a Section final,” Grans said. “They’re a tough team and we’ll have our hands full. We know each other pretty well from when we played in the club season. I’ve gotten to know (Stone Ridge coach) Art De Jager well and a bunch of our coaches are friends with then.

“The communities know each other so well. It will be a great night of competition, but when all is said and done it’s a night of fellowship, as well.”