They're older now, some slowed by creaky knees, but the memories and stories will flow for guys who insist they are Saints then and now.

Delta High School is celebrating the storied 1977 and '78 championship football teams with a reunion. With an enrollment of 360, Delta was at its blocking and tackling prime in the late '70s. Farm kids from the river communities were anchored by talents who eventually played in the NFL, such as brothers Tony and Bo Eason, Scott Barry and Dan McQuaid. Four NFL players from one roster is unprecedented in the region, never mind from such a small school.

Former Saints will meet tonight at the Embassy Suites in Sacramento and Sunday at their old football field. Delta coaches from that era – Joe Miller, Dick Dichiara and Jim Greene – also will attend. You just know someone will wheel out the blocking sleds and hand out helmets.

"It'll probably happen, too," said Jeff Dominguez, the one-time Delta linebacker who has spearheaded the reunion. The owner/manager of EXIT Realty West admits that his mind never drifts too far from his roots. Those Delta teams are still the greatest small-school teams from the area.

Tony Eason – Delta's most famous, if not most shy, alum – started at quarterback for New England in Super Bowl XX. McQuaid was a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle who now dabbles in construction. Barry followed Tony Eason at quarterback at Delta, became an All-American at UC Davis and now is involved in playwriting and independent films.

Bo Eason was an All-America safety at UCD who had a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the NFL. He has had movie and TV roles and is on a 30-city tour with his one-man play, "Runt of the Litter," based on his life and times in football.

Dominguez said he will have a moment of silence to honor three Delta teammates. Ryan Morgan was the all-league center who died in a car crash shortly after graduation. More recently, defensive back John Brown died in a farming accident, and lineman Larry Nishida succumbed to congenital heart failure.

"We'll think of those guys, and we'll think of the good times, too," Dominguez said.

Holy Hannah – By look only, one would think Rodney Hannah would tip over on a skateboard. When he was a two-sport star at Roseville, he was involved in such activities on the side.

These days, it's blocking mostly, as he seeks to secure the third tight end spot with the Dallas Cowboys. Hannah used his 6-6 frame to muscle in for rebounds at Yuba College. He played only one year of college football, at Houston.

Hannah spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons on the Cowboys' practice squad. He recently helped break in sparkling new Cowboys Stadium – the $1.15 billion gem – by catching a 22-yard touchdown pass against Tennessee.

Around the region – Kenny Wiggins of Elk Grove and Andrew Jackson of Nevada Union will compete side by side for Fresno State as starters at right offensive tackle and right guard, respectively, when the Bulldogs open against UC Davis on Sept. 5.

• UCLA tight end Ryan Moya of Oak Ridge had an MRI on his sore left knee and was relieved to find it was negative. The returning starter was named to the preseason John Mackey Award watch list for the nation's top tight end.

• Mike Grant of Laguna Creek and Sierra College will start in the secondary for UNLV when it hosts Sacramento State on Sept. 5.

• Sac State will hold its final intrasquad scrimmage at 10 a.m. today. Terrance Dailey, a transfer from Washington, led the Hornets in rushing in the last scrimmage.

• Sacramento City College, the defending Mid-Empire League champion, has an intrasquad scrimmage at 1 p.m. today under the direction of new coach Dannie Walker. He's a former Sac State all-conference cornerback whose organization and presence have been a big hit in summer camp with a roster of new players.

• C.J. Bacher of Jesuit and Northwestern has signed with the New York Sentinels of the new United Football League.

• Recent Davis graduate Cody Keefer helped the Wenatchee (Wash.) AppleSox, a wood-bat summer collegiate team, to their third West Coast League championship in the organization's five-year history earlier this month. The outfielder, now enrolled at UCLA, went 4 for 5 with two RBIs in the first game against Corvallis, then scored the winning run in the AppleSox's 4-2 title-clinching victory over the Knights.

Call The Bee's Joe Davidson, (916) 321-1280.