THE GREATEST GRANT PACERS OF ALL TIME

IN MY OPINION THESE ARE THE GREATEST GRANT FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME...THE ABSOLUTE BEST OF THE BEST!!

QB...CHAD ELLIOTT...High school All American and 1st Team All State..Played at TWO Division 1 schools Arizona State and Syracuse, and was also a Juco All American at American River in 1999. ( As a senior threw 47 touchdowns 3,175 Yards 69% Completion Percentage with Just 3 Ints...( I believe this is the highest single season QB rating in the history of the State) Elliott Also won 2 Section Championships at Two different High schools (only one other player has ever done this in the history of the State)...He won his first as a Sophomore running the Wing-T at Nevada Union (1994), and another in the potent Pacer offense in 1996...Big, Strong Arm, Athletic, and extrememly accurate!!...No doubt we have to include Elliotts mentor and Qb coach AARON GARCIA who played in1989...GARCIA, A Pacer Legend, who Still holds the record for most yard in a season...Something crazy like 3,500!!...6'1 190..Very accurate, Amazing Competitor, Great team leader, and was fairly mobile in the pocket...Garcia Has Played over 20 Years in the Arena Football League and become one of the best to ever do it!!

RBs---Many would Argue with my pick for best RB, but to me the greatest runnning back to ever play at Grant, was a TIE between ROBERT DOTSON and ONTERRIO SMITH...Yes a TIE!! DOTSON who played in 92' and guided the Pacers to its first section championship, was the protypical NFL running Back, bolstering tremendous size, speed, and strength...at 6'2 225lbs Running in the low 4.4's he really was a man among boys ...The Late great Eddie Robinson ( Head Coach Grambling), once referred to DOTSON as the next Walter Payton, after seeing his highlight film....Walter Payton wasn't nearly as big, fast or strong as DOTSON but what a complement...The fact is that DOTSON was really quite similar to another great back (or Vise Versa)... ONTERRIO SMITH!! The only difference I seen between them was DOTSON was Bigger....Meaning Taller and Weighed more...But certainly not any more Powerful, faster, or agile...Onterrio is more than likely, the Best High school football player to ever play in Northern California!!..Both he and Dotson wore the pacers famous #1 Jersey... They both ran with ferocity, aggression, speed, and athletisism...Both of them could catch the ball out of the backfield with receiver like hands, take it the distance anytime they touched it, and both of them turned Del Paso heights into something very special every friday night!! (Where is he now?? Does anyone know where Robert Dotson is...?? Someone has to know something!! He was supposed to be in the NFL...What happened!? What's the story?)

WRs...This could be a toss up...My first thought was MARIO HENDERSON #2 (1996) (5'11 180) who was a tremendously talented WR!!...MARIO probably was the most well rounded of any Wide Receiver I could think of to ever play at Grant...A deadly combination of Quickness, Speed, Route running, hands, and run after the catch...Plus, to my knowledge, he still owns all the current receiving records at the school!!...Along Side Mario I would have to go with DARVIN McCAULEY #5...This kid Single handedly Changed the State Championship Game in 2008 against Long Beach Poly...McCAULEY was super Athletic and could make all the catches...He was Fast and his Routes were very crisp and percise...McCAULEY was a big play threat everytime, as was HENDERSON!!! But Then I thought to myself, let me ask MARIO Who HE thinks the greatest WR to ever play at Grant was??...The First words out of his mouth...CHARLES YERGER...#22... from DPH's ELM Street...Played in the late 80s... After watching Yeagers highlight film for about 10 seconds, I too became a believer!!...He was the real deal. Yerger was as FAST as hell, Super quick, percise sharp routes, soft hands, and had moves on top of moves like Barry Sanders...One play that sticks out in my mind from the tapes, was when he caught a WR screen to the rt, shook 2 defenders, then spun around the 3rd, shook 2 more on-coming defenders and then took it to the house like he was playing in his backyard...It was pretty incredible!!...He was maybe 5'10 185 lbs from what I could see on the tape.

FBs--To me the greatest fullback to ever play at Grant was DERRICK GRAYS #34 (5'11 235) who played in 1995 and 96'...He was the perfect 'Double Threat' Fullback!!...Not only was he a great blocker in the passing game, as well as a devestating lead blocker in the running game, GRAYS also ran for close to 1,000 yards on the ground himself... Often dragging would be tacklers
4-5 extra yards after initial contact, sometimes rumbling for impressive TDs as he did in the 1996 section championship game against Atwater...D.G. Was Pure determination and Power...He also caught numerous screens out of the backfield for big gains!! He was an aggressive runner that was hard to bring down because of his size, strength, and unwillingness to stop moving his feet...If he hadn't bulked up so much, I feel he would have been an outstanding 1-2 punch at RB with ONTERRIO Smith!! As a Junior, before switching to FB, GRAYS starred as the most talented RB back in the entire San Joaquin Section, while being recruited by all the major D1 Schools!!

OL--There have been a lot of great Offensive Linemen to come through Grant!! First let me recognize the entire 1996 and 1999 OLines!! Both were extremely good, and both made it possible for a lot of records to be broken!! The 1996 Oline was stacked with talented players, but what I think makes them stand out was the fact they could run and pass block equally well...They Gave Chad Elliott more than enough time in the pocket to do what he did best (throw Touchdowns), but they were also athletic enough to get down field and open gaping holes in the run game for a young, fast, Onterrio Smith...The 1999 Oline was also stacked with talent!!... Helping O. SMITH as a senior, rush for more than 3,000 yards!!...Now the Best Individual OL men of all time????.... Hmmmm...First Im gonna go with 'BIG PAKI', who most people consider to be the best all around O-lineman to ever come out of Grant...6'6 295... He was big and strong and pushed people around with ease while helping The Pacers and Robert Dotson take the ring in 92'...after 'PAKI', I think I would go with MARTIN DUCRE (aka lunch)...6'2 305..Who in 1996, protected Qb Chad Elliott with his life, giving up no sacks the enitre season...He could pass as well as run block, plus he took his job very Seriously, and never let anyone get near the QB...Also BIG SHAWN DEAN was extremely good as well...A few others could be mentioned in this argument.

TEs---GREG DUPRE #85 (6'3 240)...Hands down The greatest TE Grant has ever seen !! Big, Strong, Fast and physical... but he also was also amazingly agile for his size...I once seen him break about 8 tackles in a game against nevada union at Hooper stadium in 1995...He was throwing their defenders off like little kids, stepping on them, stiff arming them, punishing them!! I think if Derrick Grays hadn't hit him that day at school during PE (when he injured his leg), there's no doubt he would have been in the NFL.

DL--To me CLYDE SANDERS (6'3 295) was the best Defensive Lineman to ever play at Grant...I remember in 1994 hearing about this guy who was as Big as a house, Fast as a linebacker, and Benched pressed 185 like 35 times!!...Maybe some of this was fiction, but the fact was no one in our area had ever seen a guy like him at the high school level...He looked and played like an NFL player when he was just 17 or 18 years old...CLYDE SANDERS was a Beast!!...After Clyde I gotta go with TOSHAN STARKS #51...STARKS played in 99' and was such a force, that he recorded over 42 tackles for loss his senior season!! Starks motor was second to none!! He kept the pressure up for 4 quarters..He was also so athletic, he was brought in on numerous occasions to play FB, and lead the way for Onterrio Smith, as smith broke area rushing records!!...The rest of my Top DLinemen are...Starting with the man child, Big V VEI MOALA...Who as a junior in 2009 was one of the Nations Top Rated Defensive Linemen...After him I got TELE HORN #17 (1996 Nose Guard), who was a Savage on the D-Line never and never stopped bringing the pressure...He was probably only 6'2 235 but He was way too athletic to be playing Nose Guard...There was really no other choice though because he became so dominant at that position... After Sanders, Starks, Moala and Horn, I gotta go with CHRISTIAN TUPO, who currently plays LB @ USC (#44)...He was big and strong, and used to create chaos in opposing teams backfields WITH REGULARITY.

LBs---LAWRENCE BROWN aka L.B. ...Also known as the "Wing-T Killa"...BROWN once made Nevada Union change their entire offense because he was so Dominant...NU left their normal Wing T offense behind, and was forced to play the entire second half in the I-Formation...Apparently BROWN was hitting their Center and Oline so far back into their backfield they couldn't execute their offense...L.B. was a hard nose, old school Type linebacker that liked to hit....and hit Hard!!...He was tenacious and played with a chip on his shoulder...He was the Greatest LineBacker to ever come out of Grant in most peoples opinion!!... After L.B. I would have to go with WORREL WILLIAMS who is currently the starting linebacker with the CAL Bears...He certainly will be playing on Sundays very soon...John Madden Listed him as the 7th best Linebacker in the country in 2008...Big, strong, physical, and is a great run stopper!!

CBs-...To me PONCE MITCHELL was The rawest Cover Corner to ever play at Grant...He was a lockdown corner...A force you could put on any teams best wide receiver and know you were going to be safe...He was Athletic, Strong, and Fast!!...Man up he could stay with anyone!!...After him I would list CJ WALLACE, who played at Washington State and currently plays DB for the Seattle Seahawks....Then Maybe SYDQUAN THOMPSON, #4 at CAL, who is a little undersized but is still an outstanding Corner!!...Also you can't talk about great Pacer DBS without mentioning MARIO HENDERSON & ANTHONY HERNANDEZ..The dynamic Duo who picked off more than their fair share of passes and took em to the House!!

SAFETYs--If you ask anyone around who the best safety to ever put on a Pacer uniform was... They'll all tell you the same thing...A.B.!! ANTHONY BARROW!!...The Hardest Hitting, Most Aggressive Safety in area history!!...This guy is a Pacer legend, and the last guy you want to get hit by if your coming across the middle...After A.B I would say DOUG BANKS #22 who graduated in 04-05'...BANKS hit opposing players so hard, he knocked 8 players out of the game senior year with the Pacers!!

Kick Off/Punt RETURNER-- T.K NORRIS #7...To me he was the best punt returner to ever play at Grant...He was Super Fast and even more Elusive...This dude had more shakes than a Blender!! hahaha...Plus he was super slippery and was a threat to take it the distance every time it was kicked his direction...One of the most Exciting Pacers OF ALL TIME in my opinion!!... After T.K. NORRIS, I would have to go with ANDRE DIXON #6, as a close 2nd...DIXON was quick and also had tremendous vision and agility...They Both Were Beasts!!! Kick it to either 1 of them AT YOUR OWN RISK!! LOL....MARIO HENDERSON also has to be included in this list for Punt Returns.

ATHLETE--ANTHONY HERNANDEZ #29..This guy could do it all!!! All around great athlete that you could play at any position... Return Punts, Kicks, Play QB, Corner, and oh yea did I mention he was the second leading WR on the 96' Section Championship Team!! Unfortunately did have the grades or the heart to become great after his HS days were over.

KICKER--JOSE UMANA...Soccer Player with a super accurate Leg!! Crazy striped Socks and all, he was the best kicker Grant has ever seen!

*HONORABLE MENTION*
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OTHER GREAT PACERS WHO WEREN'T LISTED but need to be PART OF THE CONVERSATION...ONLY the BEST of THE Best!!

SHAQ THOMPSON---GREAT HS running back as a junior with tons of hype. As a senior didn't perfom as well as expected on offense and spent a lot of time at safety where he got tons of looks from big time D1 programs...Hes big strong fast and athletic...Currently playing LB for Washington Huskies

TRAVORI BLOCK#1( QB, Super fast and Athletic...best remembered for taking his helmet off and running up the NU sideline taunting the MINERS after scoring on a long scramble)

CARL REED #85 (LB, had over 120 tackles)

PARIS WARREN( WR, Stared at Utah, Had stints in the NFL with Tampa Bay and Dallas before getting injured)

LINCOLN DUPRE #10(RB, Great pacer RB from 93'-94'...also played Arena Ball with Aaron Garcia where he returned Kicks, played Wide reciever, and Safety)

CRIS DANIELS (LB, can you say Hitter!!)

ERIC GRAYS #24(RB, Derrick Grays older brother...He would have been a beast if he wouldn't have got shot...still made a Great comeback and played well for his inspirational senior Yr)

ED COLEMAN #8(RB, after Onterrio and Dotson this guy is right up there with the best to ever do it!!)

VIRGIL JOHNSON (TE)

KORY THORNTON (LB from 1999, Tough kid that loved Contact!!)

KIPELI KONISETI (QB for the 2008 State Championship team...More of Linebacker type playing the QB position, but still a Great Athlete)

JJ STALLWORTH #4 (WR/DB, Younger brother of Donte Stallworth..Currenty plays for the Fresno State Bulldogs..Had something like 12 picks his Senior Yr at Grant)

THERON BROOKS(LB)

OSCAR STARKS #51 (OL/DL...Great offensive linemen...Althetic,Strong, and smart...Part of the 1996 Championship team...Older Brother of Toshaun Starks)

ANTWAN WILLIAMS (TE, aka Baby Shaq, younger brother of Thomas Williams backup Qb 1996)

DENNIS NELSON #56(LB, 1993-94)

MARSELIUS WILLIAMS #24 (RB) Big strong physical back would could carry the load with decent speed and power.

JEREMIAH TOMA (LB 07-08 Always around the ball and always making a gang of Tackles!!)

DERRICK PEPPER#82 (DE from 1996.. D.P. As he was known was about 6'6 245...Extremely athletic and fast coming around the edge..Made first team all City...Also Batted Down Numerous balls)

TIM LANG (QB, All around playmaker...Outstanding all around athlete!!..First Team All State for his ability to make things happen with his feet...He was a threat to run at any given time, but also could throw it quite well...Great Talent!!)

ED WATERS#79 ( OL/DL, I believe Ed Waters Possibly could have made it to the NFL if he could have gotten his mind right...He was stronger than Hell...Plus he had the talent and size to go along with it and a Bit of a mean streak!)

FILTHY PHILLIP GADEAUX (DL 1994) Charasmatic, Team player with a good motor, understanding of the game, strength, and quick feet!!

RODDERICK NORRIS#16( QB) Rodderick played at Grant in 1995-1996...He was a gifted passer and also could use his legs to create big plays...He was also big and strong with a powerful arm...I always felt like people didn't give him enough credit for being a good Passer...His arm was was very strong and he threw a very pretty spriral and catchable ball...I feel like he was one of the better Pacer QBS.)

DOG BARLEY

MARVIN MORRIS(LB)

WILLIE VAINS #2 (QB) left hander with amazing touch and Accurate arm..played in 1997 and led team to the city championship before falling to Elk Grove)

MARCET LAWSON #4 (QB)

TONY MATAVALE #4(LB 07-08...This Guy by far was my favorite Defensive Player from the 2008 State Championship Team!! Baller!)


SPENCER NOA (DL) (Brought up to play varsity as a Freshman...I Never seen him play but from what I heard he was Beast Mode!! )

DEVONTAE BOOKER RB #23 (Started as a Junior on the 2008 State Championship Team..Made a big impact and runs with A big heart and a lot of desire..Had to bring down and always kept his legs pumping!! As far as being better than Robert Dotson....No WAY!!! Dotson was bigger, faster, stronger, more elusive and could break more tackles...Booker is good but you cant name one thing he can do better than Dotson)

****Undoubtably there are many players that I have failed to include in this list... I will need to get more information, and do a little more investigation into past years, (mid and early 80s) before I can finish this blog! This in no way is this meant to offend any players fans or past alumni of the GREAT GRANT HIGH PACERS!!! I WILL continue to tweak this list as more Pacer greats emerge...and

**There will be more players added to this list as the info becomes available!!!

*MORE TO BE CONT...

Sidenotes*...THE BEST GRANT TEAM EVER WAS THE 1996 TEAM...NO DISRESPECT TO THE 2006 TEAM 1992 TEAM OR THE 2008 STATE CHAMPIONS BUT THE 1996 TEAM WAS SIMPLY AMAZING!! THEY HAD IT ALL. .., PASSING GAME, RUNNING GAME, SPECIAL TEAMS, KICKING GAME, AND A HARDCORE DEFENSE!! ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE..IF THE 1996 PACERS HAD A CHANCE TO PLAY IN A STATE GAME THEY WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT HOME TO DEL PASO HEIGHTS A LONG TIME AGO.


THE 2009 PACER DEFENSE MAY HAVE BEEN THE BEST OF ALL TIME...ONLY ALLOWING 13 TOTAL COMBINED POINTS IN THE FIRST 9 GAMES OF THE SEASON...WOW...WHO DOES THAT??!?!!

MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET DERRICK GRAYS WAS A MONSTER HIS JUNIOR YEAR (1995) WHEN HE WAS BEING RECRUITED BY NEBRASKA AND MANY OTHER D1 SCHOOLS TO PLAY TAILBACK!!!! ...WHEN HE WAS STILL WEARING #24!! AND BEFORE HE EVER CHANGED OVER TO FULLBACK. If he wouldn't have put on that extra weight his SR he could have been big time in college!!

ONTERRIO SMITHS FRESHMAN YEAR HIGHLIGHT FILM (when he played on JV)NEEDS TO BE PUT ON YOUTUBE!! That shit was UN-REAL!!!!!!!!! WHO HAS IT??!!!

Many people still say that DONTE STALLWORTH WAS THE FASTEST GRANT Player ever, but I think there are few that were faster...How bout James "MONEY" Hennix? Any others??