Posted at 1:51 p.m., Saturday, January 5, 2002

Ex-Punahou student commits to Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kenny Patton, a former Punahou School student who is attending a high school in California this year, has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

Patton, who is 6 feet and 170 pounds, made a verbal commitment today and will sign a national of letter of intent Feb. 6, the first day of the NCAA signing period for high school seniors.

Patton played wide receiver and cornerback at St. Francis High in Pasadena. He was named the Mission League's Most Valuable Defensive Player and was chosen to the All-Area all-star team as a defensive back.

He also caught two scoring passes.

Patton attended Punahou for six years before moving to California this summer. "I wanted to see how I measured up against California athletes," said Patton, whose family still lives in Hawai'i.

Last February, Patton attended the Nike football combine in San Diego, where he ran 40 yards in 4.4 seconds.

"He's a good athlete and a good student," St. Francis coach Jim Bonds said. "He comes from a good family."

Patton has a 3.8 grade-point average. He scored 1,090 on the SAT.

He also holds a black belt in karate.