Grant looking to bounce back

[Streak One]

Grant is looking to bounce back this season and is expected to have a good line behind USC bound Alani Noa. They could have two freshmen starting on the offensive line

Noa Way But Up | Alani Noa, Grant Football Plot Return To Prominence

Led By USC-Bound Lineman Alani Noa, Grant Football Looks Inward As The Sac-Joaquin Section Power Hopes To Shake A Five-Year Swoon

sportstarsmag.com

 

[larry legend33]

Really hope they can turn it around. They have some real talent on the field this year. They went to the SFL about a decade too late. That was a tough run for them.

 

[Streak One]

Really hope they can turn it around. They have some real talent on the field this year. They went to the SFL about a decade too late. That was a tough run for them.

I wonder if SFL membership expedited the decline for NU and Grant. Hard to keep momentum when you are so behind in your league.

 

[ThunderRam]

Really hope they can turn it around. They have some real talent on the field this year. They went to the SFL about a decade too late. That was a tough run for them.

Yep.

Though, had they been in the SFL in the 2000's they would have dominated as Folsom has this decade. No doubt in my mind.

The SFL was good, but didn't really start becoming the juggernaut it's been until 2008 or 2009'ish. Del Oro and Granite Bay led the way, with Rocklin and Roseville filling some gaps here and there. Woodcreek nor Oakmont were never really all that competitive.

While we all know Rocklin's 2009 team had the upset of the ages, I'm not sure there would have been many more wins beyond that during that decade (or even the latter half of the 90's). GHS was too big, physical, athletic and fast during those days.

 

[NCS707]

Seems like many big time, and even good smaller school programs dipped about 5-8 years ago. I see demographic change, coaching changes, societal changes, transfers, rise of large suburban schools, all as reasons.
In the NCS James Logan was still dang good until a few years ago. In SS LBP same thing. Rural NCS tiny Ferndale was competing vs McClymonds up until a few years back.

Seems like the “wealth” of kids is spread thinner now and concentrated at a few programs. Especially in Bay Area/NCS. SS/LA seems worse. SJS isn’t as bad still more even, Folsom is ahead but not quite untouchable.

 

[BigMann08]

Grant situation is a tricky and delicate one. Legendary local coach stayed way too long. The administration had the difficult and emotional task of relieving him of his duties. It became evident that he was trying to break that state record about 10-12 years ago and would not walk away on his own.

As a result, the program suffered and families sought out other schools for a myriad of reasons. GHS, in my opinion, is still the best platform for these kids to showcase their talents.

The move to the SFL expedited the need for change. For week in and out, Grant would face the same type of well coached programs that they typically struggle against. For the SFL is home to some of the best coaching in the state, maybe even the country. Although Grant typically fields teams with superior talent.

I don’t know much about the current staff from an X’s and O’s standpoint. But it does appear that morale is back up and the community is coming back out to the games. It also appears that the coaching staff has earned the respect of the kids, which is good.

 

[BigMann08]

I also contend that the Grant JR Pacers have fielded some incredible youth football teams. They have a cult like following on YouTube and have faired very well against youth programs connected with national powerhouses like Bishop Gorman, Mater Dei, and St. John Bosco.

The challenge will be developing an infrastructure that keeps these kids together. I’m excited to see if the coaching staff is up for the task.

 

[Santa Ball]

Grant looked very good last week, fun to watch. Looking forward to their season, they should dominate league play.

 

[MTsince2004]

Grant looked very good last week, fun to watch. Looking forward to their season, they should dominate league play.

Grant should rebound nicely in the Metropolitan League. It's a pretty solid bet that the winner of the Monterey Trail @ Grant game on October 21st will be the Metro League champion.

 

[larry legend33]

It’s nice to see pacer nation on the rebound. Life is better when grant football is winning! I was ready impressed with Monterey Trail. Only thing that worries me is bench. A few guys get hurt and they are in trouble. JV and varsity combined for less than 50 kids.

 

[MTsince2004]

It’s nice to see pacer nation on the rebound. Life is better when grant football is winning! I was ready impressed with Monterey Trail. Only thing that worries me is bench. A few guys get hurt and they are in trouble. JV and varsity combined for less than 50 kids.

That's actually normal for Monterey Trail. MT pushed the nationally ranked 2010 Grant team to the limit with only 29 players suited up. The last time MT beat Folsom (2019), there were only 38 players on the team and ten of those were JV kids pulled up for experience. I'm pretty sure that none of the five years they have been in championship games has their roster been over 35 until playoffs started and kids were pulled up.

 

[PacerLegend]

Excellent thread with astute viewpoints regarding last coaching regime and SFL league play.
The Jr Pacers were the feeding ground funneling up to the Alberghini era-- it took a decline and the Pacers varsity fortunes crumbled.
Alberghini's last years had some serious tragedies with both a coach and player fatality.
Yet, Pacers have hit the refresh button...Jr Pacers are reinvigorated and the tradition of a winning outlook has returned.

The coaching staff is also solid and can coach up the players in a matter to bring out team and individual success.
Go Pacers!