Surprising South Gate has reached the City Section Division II championship game after upsetting No. 2-seeded Granada Hills, 26-24.

South Gate had won nine games in six years until Jose Casagran arrived last season. Now the Rams will face No. 1-seeded San Fernando in next Friday's 4 p.m. final at East Los Angeles College. San Fernando defeated Chatsworth, 24-14.

Leading South Gate was junior runnng back Lavelle Thompson, who rushed for 140 yards in 17 carries and scored one touchdown. James Shaw had 152 yards rushing in 10 carries and scored three touchdowns. Alexander Flatos had 81 yards rushing. Andrew Toro was eight of 10 for 100 yards passing. South Gate is 8-5 overall.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com