A year ago, David Graves was wondering how his senior season might go at quarterback at Folsom High School.
These days, he's overwhelmed at how well it went.
The Bee's All-Metro Player of the Year announced Monday he has verbally committed to play quarterback at Hawaii. Graves earlier had given a verbal to Nevada, but verbals are not binding. What is binding is the letter-of-intent Graves said he will formally sign with Hawaii on Feb. 4, the first day prep football players can sign with colleges.
"It's a dream come true," Graves said. "I'm so excited about this. We ran a lot of the same concepts as Hawaii. I feel like I can fit right in."
Graves was a wide receiver in 2007. He burst onto the scene in 2008 and completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,771 yards and 40 touchdowns in 11 games. He rushed for 696 yards and 11 scores in averaging nearly five touchdowns and 315 yards of offense a game.
"This is great news for David," Folsom coach Kris Richardson said. "Hawaii will be a great fit."
All-State honors – Grant coach Mike Alberghini officially caps his magical season – and the best season in regional prep football history – by being named the MaxPreps Division I State Coach of the Year. Grant went 14-0, won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title and turned a lot of heads by beating Long Beach Poly, ranked No. 2 nationally, 25-20 in the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division game that in effect brands Grant as state champion.
Grant lineman Alesana Laban and quarterback Kipeli Koniseti (as an "Athlete") also were named All-State. Koniseti passed for 19 scores and rushed for 10 more.
Other all-staters – Defensive lineman Sean Nill of Laguna Creek and linebacker Jeremiah Toma of Grant were named to the MaxPreps All-State Second Team. For Division IV, Zack Graves of 13-0 Whitney was All-State after rushing for 2,783 yards and 39 touchdowns in earning Bee Offensive Player of the Year honors. Linebacker Jaycob Shoemaker of 13-0 Casa Roble, The Bee's Defensive Player of the Year, was All-State Division II as well. Second team picks included Casa Roble's Tristan Baer (wide receiver) and offensive lineman Tyler Kenobbie and Inderkum linebacker LaDon Hudson.
Colfax receiver Jeff Devin was a Division III second-teamer. Spencer Hagan of Capital Christian was an All-State Small Schools wide receiver. Capital Christian quarterback James Lee was named to the Small Schools second team.
Call The Bee's Joe Davidson, (916) 321-1280.
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