Corey Paredes fulfilled two dreams yesterday when he accepted an offer to join the University of Hawai'i football team.

"I'm doing it partially for him," Paredes said of Patrick Kapahu, who died Oct. 5 from injuries suffered in a skateboard accident.

Paredes and Kapahu were best friends since the first grade at 'Ahuimanu Elementary, and eventual Castle High teammates in football and baseball.

"He really loved the Warriors," said Paredes, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker. "He really wanted to play for them. I'm happy I can do this for both of us."

Paredes completed a UH recruiting visit Sunday. His parents attended many of the UH-hosted functions, such as the tour of the academic and athletic facilities.

"We had an awesome weekend," Abby Paredes said. "It was unbelievable. To get the call today (from UH coaches) was really exciting. We're totally ecstatic he's going to UH."

The mood was decidedly different last October, when it was learned Kapahu, a lineman and punter, had suffered a critical injury. Hours after Kapahu was taken off life support, the Knights gathered at the school.

"The boys were so emotionally drained at that moment," Abby recalled. "It was a really tough thing, kind of indescribable what they went through losing Patrick. The coaches and counselors met the boys. It was to be there for them. It came down to a point where they had to decide whether to go on or not (in the next day's game against Kahuku). They left the final decision up to Corey because he was the captain."

Abby said her son was the last to leave the locker room. He sat in front of Kapahu's locker, clutching his friend's helmet.

"It was a heart-wrenching time for him, and his teammates, and really the whole community," Abby said. "It was a traumatic moment. Even through that, him being a leader on the team, he wanted to play for Patrick. You always want to play your best, no matter what. It became much more important for him. The season really was dedicated to Patrick."

The Knights lost to Kahuku, 34-15, but Paredes scored on a 75-yard return of a blocked field-goal attempt and 14-yard pass from Bryson Ukauka.

Kapahu and his mother, Mary Jo, were UH season-ticket holders.

After Kapahu's death, Paredes and baseball teammates took turns attending the games with Mary Jo.

The NCAA allows high school players to walk on the field before games.

"Corey took me onto the field with him," Mary Jo said. "I was very honored to go with Corey, but I wished it was my son instead of myself."

Paredes said he regularly visits the Kapahu's home, where Patrick's ashes rest in a koa box made by the famed Kamaka family.

"I go all of the time," Paredes said, his voice trailing into a whisper. "I keep his mom company. I bring flowers once in a while."

Abby said her son and Castle teammates "want to be there for her. We have such an awesome community, especially Kahalu'u. The Castle football community is an unbelievable family with unbelievable support."

While Kapahu was an accomplished baseball player, he improved greatly in football.

"He was excelling so much in football, we thought there was a chance he would be able to play football at UH," Mary Jo said.

Abby said that after Kapahu died, her son "wanted to stay home. For Corey, it became more important to be here and fulfill his dream to be a Warrior. That has always been his dream. When we got the call, it was such a huge celebration."

Abby said family members have been supportive of her son.

"His grandfather never missed a single game," Abby said. "My brother would fly up for every Castle game from the Big Island. And this was just high school. I think that was the biggest decision factor — to stay home and play for his family and community."

Paredes said he would like to major in pre-med.

"He wants to be a doctor like his dad," Abby said of her husband, Dr. Lloyd Paredes. "He wants to be a general practitioner."

In the meantime, Paredes is preparing to learn the Warriors' defensive schemes. Paredes, who can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, probably would compete at outside linebacker.

"I just want to help the program," he said.

Mary Jo said she was pleased to learn that Paredes would join the Warriors.

"I'm very excited Corey will be home to play, and we'll be able to watch him," Mary Jo said. "I know my son would be very proud of Corey. I'm very happy he's been given the opportunity to stay home and play. I think UH will benefit from him tremendously.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.