The Bee concludes its online preseason countdown of the top 20 high school football teams in the Sacramento area with our No. 1 team. (Editor's note: The Bee this season will focus on the immediate Sacramento region and will not have the Monticello Empire League -- including Napa and Vacaville high schools -- in its weekly rankings.)
No. 1
GRANITE BAY GRIZZLIES
League: Sierra Foothill League
Coach: Ernie Cooper, 12th season, 103-29-1
Last year's record: 11-2 (Beat Del Oro 49-14 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship); 4-1 in league (1st)
Outlook: Although the Grizzlies were hit hard by graduation and have only eight returning starters, with 81 players on the roster they have plenty of talent to fill the ranks from varsity returnees and those from a 10-0 JV program. "Our seniors have won league titles three years in a row, so we have kids who have seen success on this football team," Cooper said. "The key for us will be if we can play with one heartbeat -- will we play for one another."
Key players: All-SFL second team cornerback Corey Vanderbeek (5-10, 170 pounds,Sr.); All-SFL second team running back Clark Partridge (6-2, 220, Sr.); tight end A.J. Herlitz (6-3, 215, Sr.); defensive end Colton Paulhus (6-2, 265, Sr.); defensive tackle Thomas Haney (6-1, 230, Sr.); quarterback Teddy Bryant (6-1, 170, Sr.); running back Brad Crisanty (6-0, 190, Sr.); linebacker Ryan Loder (6-2, 195, Sr.).
Three key games: Sept. 26 vs. Vacaville, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 17 vs. Del Oro, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 24 at Rocklin, 7:30 p.m.
-- Bill Paterson
No. 2
GRANT PACERS
League: Metro Conference
Coach: Mike Alberghini (18th season, 178-32)
Last year's record: 7-4 (lost to Ponderosa 21-14 in first round of the D-II playoffs); 5-1 in league (second place)
Outlook: With 17 players who started at least two or more games last season, some strong talent from a 10-0 JV team and another challenging preseason schedule, the Pacers should bounce back from a sub-par, injury-plagued 2007 season that saw them lose the Metro Conference title to Burbank. All-Metro Conference quarterback Kipeli Koniseti returns to lead the Pacers but also will play linebacker, the position Alberghini sees as the 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior's college future. With star running back Marselius Williams now at Sacramento City, the Pacers plan a running back-by-committee that includes speedster Howard Warren (5-8, 155, Sr.), the younger brother of Tampa Bay's Paris Warren. Alberghini expects the defense, now manned by 10 veterans, to be much improved over last season's bunch that allowed 197 points. The Pacers continue to play one of the area's most demanding schedules, including Montgomery of Santa Rosa, Highland of Pocatello, Idaho; and state 5A champion Alta of Sandy, Utah. "We've got good depth, some pretty good athletes," Alberghini said. "So if we can put the pieces all together, we should be able to make a pretty good puzzle out it."
Top players: Koniseti, Warren, wide receiver-defensive back Darvin McCauley (5-11, 180 pounds, Sr.); three-year starting offensive guard Alesana Leban (6-2, 285, Sr.) and linebacker Tony Matavale (5-11, 225, Sr.) are all returning All-Metro Conference players.
Other key contributors: Linebacker Jeremiah Toma (6-0, 215, Sr.); defensive end Edward Robinson (6-3 255, Sr.); tackle Ramon Williams (6-4, 270, Sr.); tight end Aaron Jones (6-3, 260, Sr.); wide receiver Jaymee Cowling (6-1, 175, Sr.); and linebacker Jordan Wallace (6-0, 205, Sr.), younger brother of C.J. Wallace of the Seattle Seahawks.
Three key games: Sept. 13 vs. Highland of Pocatello at Idaho State, 7 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time); Sept. 20 vs. Alta of Sandy, Utah, 7 p.m.; Nov. 14 vs. Burbank, 7 p.m.
-- Bill Paterson
No. 3
PLEASANT GROVE EAGLES
League: Delta River League
Coach: Joe Cattolico, third year (15-7)
Last year's record: 10-2, 5-0 in league (lost to Napa in Division I playoffs, 38-20).
Outlook: The Eagles were one of the intrigue stories in the state last fall, a program fielding some top-flight talent and its first senior class that survived a competitive league to produce a 10-2 record, a Delta River League championship and a spirited playoff victory over Davis before finally falling to eventual Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champion Napa, which went 13-1. Normally, it takes several seasons of hard knocks before there is much glory. Cattolico, the son of a famed prep coach in the Bay Area, wasn't willing to wait that long. Pleasant Grove did graduate two impact players, however, in USC recruit Armond Armstead, a lineman, and 2,000-yard rusher Deonte Williams, now on scholarship at Northern Arizona. But nine starters are back, the offensive line is experienced, the linebackers are tough and the secondary could be the team's strength. Greg Williams, the hero last season when his late field goal downed Jesuit, is the featured back now.
