As Lee Paleafei looked at the championship ring on his finger, he thought about what it had and would cost him.

When the outside linebacker for Grossmont College was getting fitted for his ring Monday afternoon, he thought of what it would mean to his family.

"It felt good, but the price, I can't believe it," said Paleafei, a freshman at the El Cajon, Calif., school, which won the California state championship with a 41-38 win over San Francisco City College, on Saturday.

"It was a good game," said Paleafei, who was named the game's defensive MVP and is one of 11 players from Hawai'i on the Grossmont team.

Paleafei hasn't decided whether to buy the $300 ring, but already has something of value. "I got a trophy (for the defensive award), so that's good for me," he said. "I ordered (a ring), but my older brother (Tony) hung up on me when I told him the price. I tried to call him back and he wouldn't pick up. I think he thought I was expecting it, but I would rather have my family than my ring."

Paleafei, a 2003 Pearl City graduate, took two years off from football while working in California to establish residency so he could save money on tuition.

"It felt kind of bad, because I let my mom and family down. I told them I was going to play, but I didn't play," he said.

He worked as a maintenance man, gas station cashier and security guard.

"I was happy because I was getting money in my pocket away from my mom (Rosa); I didn't have to bother her," said Paleafei, whose father, Tavesi, died of cancer in 2002. "I didn't want to be a burden on my mom."

He decided over the summer to make a comeback in football, but found that he couldn't go to school and work as a security guard at the same time. He had to make a choice.

"After work I would catch the trolley straight to practice. Later down the line, when it was getting closer to school starting, I tried to fit my job and school, but it didn't work out," said Paleafei, who turns 20 on New Year's Eve. "I resigned from my job, because football is my life, and I really want to go as far as football can take me."

He was getting paid $11 an hour, but gave it up, "just to play my favorite game. I know my dad and mom, and family, are really proud."

Also on the team are offensive lineman Preston Faletagaloa, defensive end Timoteo Mauga and defensive back Steven King, all of Pearl City; linebackers Derek Hinkley and Wes Scott of Punahou; tight end Jeremiah Mareko of Konawaena; offensive lineman Matthew Gaughen of Kealakehe; offensive lineman Tony Augafa and linebacker Aveni Leung Wai of 'Aiea; and defensive lineman Liavaa Atuatasi of Wai'anae.

Paleafei had 14 tackles, including five for losses totalling 12 yards, was in on three sacks, and forced a fumble in the championship game.

Atuatasi, King and Mauga each had one tackle; Mareko caught touchdown passes of 4 and 19 yards; and Augafa recovered a fumble.

"We were underdogs through the whole tournament," Hinkley said. "We played two No. 1 teams (at the time) during the playoffs. No one gave us a chance, but we blew everyone away. Pretty much all the Hawai'i guys are starting."

Hinkley said during the pre-game festivities, "they treated us like NFL players. There were banquets and everything.

"We went to a children's hospital, and we passed out teddy bears and T-shirts."

The team found out yesterday that they were crowned the national champions by J.C. Grid-Wire, which combines California and National Junior College Athletic Association schools in a poll.

"We don't get to play some of the other teams, so it goes on points," Hinkley said.

He also picked out a ring, but said it would probably be his Christmas present from his father.

"I was pretty excited," Hinkley said about the ring fitting. "There were players all in a little room, and football players, not being the most organized bunch, it was hectic. ... It is my first championship ring. I would have waited three hours."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.