Grenadiers sorry to see their seniors leave

The 2008 football season didn't go exactly as planned for the Elk Grove Grenadiers, but the year was still a memorable one, especially for Nick Meyer.

The sophomore quarterback started all nine contests under center for EG (2-7, 1-4) and gained some valuable game experience for the future. This season also gave him the opportunity to share the backfield with his senior brother Jake, also a starting linebacker.

The Meyer brothers were two of the team's more dynamic weapons throughout the season and accounted for a combined 150 rushing yards in Friday night's 34-6 season-ending loss to MSL East champion Prospect.

"You can see from the tears right now that this is a close-knit group," Nick Meyer said after Friday's defeat. "Playing with my brother is definitely something we'll talk about forever. Growing up with him, he's always been a role model and he's always been there for me. Stepping on the field with him was a great privilege actually and I'm really glad I got the chance."

Facing a number of obstacles on Friday -- including a steady downpour, two lengthy first-quarter lighting delays and the explosiveness of Prospect quarterback Miles Osei -- the Grenadiers fell behind 27-0 in the first half. But, as EG has done all season, the team continued to play with heart and energy, as demonstrated by the second-half effort of Jake Meyer.

After rushing for just 16 yards in the first half, Jake carried the ball 18 times for 86 yards in the second half before finishing with 102 yards on the ground for the night.

"I've been playing since second grade and this is definitely the closest team I've ever been on," Nick said. "The character is outstanding and it's the best character I've ever been around. It was just really fun to play with them."

Nick and Jake weren't the only set of brothers to suit up for the Grenadiers this season, as senior Francisco Leija and his junior brother Raul shared the field on Friday for the last time in their prep careers.