His vocal cords are strained. His body is sagging. He has counted more sheep this past week than he has accumulated hours of sleep.

But if you're thinking this might be a good time for Mike Alberghini to savor Grant High's improbable state championship over Long Beach Poly, forget it. There are no pause buttons in Coach Al's low-tech world, and no mute buttons, either.

"We surprised 'em," Alberghini said Tuesday before the parade that beat all Sacramento sports parades. "Poly probably thought I was too stubborn to change, that all we would do was run the ball. But six or seven plays in, we had to start throwing, and they got to see the other side of Kipeli (Koniseti). They thought they were getting the blonde," the 61-year-old coach cracked. "They got the brunette instead."

Did we mention Alberghini writes his own lines? What's next? Hollywood one year, Broadway the next?

His depleted physical and emotional condition aside, and his legendary stamina having taken a whipping, the Pacers icon has big plans for a 19th season. He's not the retiring sort. And he's serious about Broadway. He'll travel anywhere for tussle.

Alberghini continues to argue forcefully that no goal is too grandiose for Del Paso Heights kids who believe their latest national ranking – No. 6 by USA Today and No. 10 by ESPN Rise – fails to reflect their true value. In their minds and his, they're better than that, and better than Centennial, too.

"What we accomplished is incredible," said Alberghini, fatigue suddenly evident behind his tinted wire-rimmed glasses. "It's starting to sink in. After the (Optimist) All-Star Game this weekend, I'll have some time to sit back and reflect. I'm looking forward to that."

The festivities began 10 days ago – of all things – with a shopping spree to a local mall. Alberghini, who practically lives in sweatpants, sneakers and blue baseball cap, needed a formal outfit for the pregame news conference the following morning in Carson. After introducing Southern Californians to a combative personality that is tempered by a quick, playful wit, he immediately returned and established a weeklong pattern of practices, interviews, coaches' meetings and conversations with parents, school and CIF officials to finalize travel arrangements.

There are other, more pleasing memories, of course. Alberghini felt chills when he walked into the Home Depot Center, and later, when he was doused with water. He became emotional when he called his wife, Mary, who stayed in Sacramento to watch the game on TV with his father, Dick. And he was delighted when the Pacers returned to the hotel and Koniseti, the do-everything quarterback, plopped down at the lobby piano and entertained. "I had no idea Kipeli played," said his coach, "and he was masterful."

Then there was the pizza that was never delivered, the hamburgers finally distributed about 4 a.m., the door-banging that served as wakeup calls a few hours later. There was a four-hour delay at the Long Beach Airport, a champion's welcome as the players made their way toward baggage claim in Oakland, and an even more gratifying reception when police escorted the team buses into a campus parking lot filled to capacity with screaming, cheering, chanting Pacers fans.

But Alberghini's favorite memory began with 4:31 remaining in the game and Grant trailing 20-19, and ended with 1:11 left. Koniseti, who threw for 236 yards, connected with Darvin McCauley for the 15-yard touchdown strike that decided the outcome. The rest was ... Grant history. The defense held. The horn sounded. The celebration began.

Asked to confirm one particularly appropriate anecdote offered by one of the Pacers, Alberghini grinned. All true, he said. Irritated because the traditional championship T-shirts were only made in advance for the favored Jackrabbits (his understanding), he grabbed one of the white baseball caps that said "state champs." He then promptly yanked off his own beloved blue cap, the one with the yellow "G" on front, and placed it atop a locker as his players hooted approvingly.

"They'll think it stands for God or Grant," Alberghini quipped. "They'll know we were here."

Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.