The Mighty Pacers

The undefeated Grant Pacers are on the move. They have their sight set on a perfect season.

But first they have to get by the No. 9 Burbank Titans who defeated them in last year's Metro League conference showdown. The big game is Friday, Nov. 14.

The Pacers are psyched, oozing with confidence. And why not? They've won nine games, dismantling two state-ranked No. 1 teams from Idaho and Utah. And what's more, they've outscored five Metro League opponents 325-15.

"We feel good at No. 1," says talented wide receiver Darvin McCauley. "That's where we have belonged from the start of the season."

"We're going all the way," says senior right tackle Alesana Laban. "Our goal is to make it to the state championship."

The perennial powerhouse Pacers had their first perfect season in 2006 when they went 13-0 and won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title.

"A lot of the players who were on that team are family, older cousins," says quarterback Kipeli Koniseti. "We have tried to live up to their standards. My cousin (Christian Tupou) was on that team and he's now a defensive tackle at USC. We want that championship ring and we want to go to state."

No doubt about it, this is a special team with amazing chemistry. McCauley says it's because they're "family."

"We've been together for a long time," he says. "Half of us played Pop Warner together and some of us went to preschool together."

The head of the "family" is Mike Alberghini, who has coached his share of great Grant football teams, winning an impressive five Sac-Joaquin Section titles-1992, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2006. The Grant High Pacers led the Sacramento area by signing six players to Division I programs in 2006.

Alberghini's record is also impressive-187 wins and 32 losses over 18 years.

He likes what he sees in this year's team. Players are focused, upbeat, and always ready to play, plowing through opponents week after week.

"They are a good football team," says Alberghini. "They've met every challenge so far and we just hope that we're going to get to a point where we're ready to put four more together. We have the capability. The Burbank game is going to be a good challenge. It'll be the first time in a few weeks we'll be playing a tough Metro team, so we'll find out if we're ready to go out there and be physical like we have to be. I think we're in good shape to do that."

Players say they're more than ready; it's all about Pacer pride. Everyone remembers last year's heartbreaking loss to the defending champion Titans.

"We can't let our guard down and we can't look down on other teams because that's when they beat you," says Koniseti. "But we are motivated, everyone vibes off of each other. Ever since I've been at Grant it's been a really good experience. I love the team. The coaches and the players are like a second family."

We welcome your story ideas. Please send an email with a brief description and your contact information or call our communications office at 566-1628 to submit an idea.