Sunday, January 6, 2002
[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
Hawaii's first football recruit of the year from a mainland high school has strong island ties. Patton ready to come
home to UHThe former Punahou player hopes
to play cornerback at HawaiiBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comKenny Patton, a local kid who blossomed in one season away from home, has made a verbal commitment to accept a scholarship to play for the Warriors.
Patton, a 6-foot, 175-pound cornerback and wide receiver, attended Punahou from the seventh grade, but is spending his senior year at St. Francis High School in La Canada, Calif.
Patton didn't play much at Punahou, but at St. Francis he made the Mission League all-star team (most valuable defensive back) and the San Gabriel Valley all-area team last fall. He also made the league scholar-athlete team with a 3.83 grade-point average.
"He really gave us some much-needed speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball," St. Francis coach Jim Bonds said. "He was a pleasure to coach. He made a good decision to come out and live with his grandparents this year. I'm glad it worked out for him that he can go home and play for Hawaii now."
He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and has a 36-inch vertical leap. Patton said he hopes to play cornerback at UH.
"I like being out there one-on-one, being on the island," he said.
Patton is also glad to be returning to this island, where his parents, Sidney and Elizabeth, and many other relatives live.
One uncle is Radford graduate Joey Bunch, who still holds the state high school record in the 800 meters he set in 1983. Patton's mother was also an outstanding runner at Radford.
The Pattons and Bunches are also among Hawaii's most prominent martial arts practitioners. Kenny Patton is a black belt and has been taking karate since age 5. His grandfather, Joseph Bunch Sr., is a sensei at a karate school here.
Patton had visits lined up at Brigham Young, Nevada, Portland State and San Jose State, but canceled them after committing to UH on Friday.
"Family was a big factor," he said. "It's hard being away, but going away was a good thing for me to do for this one year of high school."
Said Bonds: "He's very young and has some growing to do. You can tell he's going to fill out. He had a great year for us but his best football is definitely ahead of him."
Marcopolo Chavez, a 6-3, 245-pound linebacker from Palomar College (Calif.), also committed to the Warriors on Friday.
Chavez also received offers from USC, San Diego State and New Mexico.
Hawaii's other verbal recruits are offensive linemen Samson Satele (Kailua), Kahai LaCount (Kailua), Marques Kaonohi (Kailua), Dane Uperesa (Punahou) and Kalavi Blanchard (Kahuku), linebackers Kaipo Patoc (Mililani) and Chad Kalilimoku (Roosevelt/Santa Ana JC) and defensive lineman Tala Esera (Kahuku). Letter of intent day is Feb. 6, when they can first make binding agreements to accept scholarships.
Quarterback Jason Whieldon graduated from Saddleback JC last semester. He has already signed a letter of intent and will enroll at UH this spring.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
