Grant High School coach Mike Alberghini said Saturday night's 35-28 win over visiting Alta of Utah was fun for the fans but not for the coach.
But even though the outcome wasn't decided until Howard Warren's interception with seconds left, Alberghini is pleased with the progress the Pacers have made in their first three games.
"Those were two good football teams," Alberghini said of Alta and his Pacers. "I guarantee we will not play a better defense around. I wouldn't be surprised if they go back and win their state championship again."
In addition to reversing a one-sided loss to the Hawks (4-1) in Utah last season, the Pacers (3-0) also beat Idaho power Highland of Pocatello on its own turf at Holt Arena on the Idaho State campus in the Rocky Mountain Rumble Sept. 13 and North Coast Section power Montgomery Sept. 5 in Santa Rosa.
"I'm pleased with our progress," Alberghini said. "I think we've played fast and physical our first three games. And I couldn't have asked much more of us (Saturday). Our defense played magnificently."
Even though the Pacers intercepted Alta quarterback Ammon Olsen four times, Alberghini was more impressed with the 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior than with Stanford-bound Taysom Hill, the Highland quarterback Grant faced the week before.
Olsen completed 20 of 31 passes for 301 yards, had several balls dropped and three touchdowns called back on penalties. He also carried 22 times for 75 yards, if one tosses out his five sacks for minus 39 yards.
"This kid is a good player," Alberghini said. "He did more things to hurt us than the other kid. The Highland kid is a good thrower, but this kid could run it and put us under a lot of pressure."
Alberghini thought his players did well keeping their focus, considering that many attended a memorial service earlier in the day for Monique D'Emonie McCauley, the 13-year-old sister of senior wide receiver-defensive back Darvin McCauley.
"Monie" as she was known, died Sept. 5 after a long illness, according to assistant coach Reggie Harris.
"That could have been a big distraction but it wasn't, even though that's a tough thing for young people to have to deal with," Alberghini said. "She had been ill for some time. But 13 is way too young to go."
