UH football team gets two more from O'ahu

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Offensive lineman Marques Kaonohi of Kailua High and defensive end Kaipo Patoc of Mililani High said they will accept football scholarships from the University of Hawai'i.

Marques Kaonohi was recruited by Oregon and Colorado.

Kaipo Patoc turns down an offer from Colorado.

Ashley Lelie is the Warriors' most valuable player.

Mike Iosua was chosen UH's most inspirational player. Advertiser library photos

UH already has received verbal commitments from offensive lineman Samson Satele of Kailua High and quarterback Jason Whieldon of Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Kaonohi, who is 6 feet 1 and 250 pounds, is projected to play center at UH. Patoc, who is 6-2 and 225 pounds, will compete at outside linebacker.

"I wanted to play in front of my family and friends," said Kaonohi, who praised his host, UH offensive tackle Uriah Moenoa. "He's a great guy. He made me feel at home."

Kaonohi also was recruited by Oregon and Colorado.

Kaonohi was an instrumental blocker on an offensive line that helped the Surfriders earn a share of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship. He can bench press 225 pounds 20 times and run 40 yards in 4.8 seconds.

Kaonohi visited the UH campus yesterday, meeting with academic advisers and coaches. He also toured the football locker room, where he saw a specially designed Warrior jersey with his name on it.

"It was so exciting," he said. "I wanted to sign right there."

Patoc also wasted little time before committing to UH, turning down an offer from Colorado.

"They seemed like they really wanted me," Patoc said. "Everything is close to home. It's like going from one family to another family."

Patoc can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds.

Mililani coach James Millwood said Patoc also was used as a wide receiver and tight end.

"He's very athletic," Millwood said, noting Patoc scored six regular-season touchdowns.

Against Kailua, he had two sacks and forced a fumble near the goal line. On the next play, Patoc scored the first of his two touchdowns. Against Kaimuki, he had three sacks and forced a fumble.

Patoc also is one of Mililani's top basketball players.

"He's a leader and he's motivated," Millwood said.

AWARDS BANQUET

• Lelie is most valuable: Ashley Lelie, who has transformed from a nonscholarship player into the Western Athletic Conference's top wide receiver, won the University of Hawai'i football team's Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player award last night.

Lelie, a 6-foot-3, 197-pound junior from Radford High, was honored at the team's annual banquet last night at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel.

Lelie has set nearly all of UH's career and single-season records for a receiver. Two weeks ago, he was named to Football News' All-America third team. He is expected to be named to the All-WAC team, which will be announced today.

Defensive tackle Mike Iosua, a senior who has played the entire season with torn ligaments in his right shoulder, earned the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Player award. Iosua, who is a math major, is expected to graduate with honors.

Reserve quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen won the team's scholar-athlete award.

BYU (12-0)