The Little League world champion West O'ahu baseball team has been invited to meet with the University of Hawai'i football team Saturday before the Warriors' season-opening game against two-time defending national champion Southern California.

"I've already put a call in," UH coach June Jones said. "Hopefully, they're (all) home by the end of the week. I'd love for them to come down and meet the guys before the game."

UH team captain Derek Fa'avi of 'Ewa Beach, where most of the West O'ahu players live, looks forward to the meeting.

"That would be great," Fa'avi said. "I'm proud to be from 'Ewa Beach, and it's nice to see kids from there representing not just 'Ewa Beach but the whole state. I'm happy for them."

Most of the Warriors watched Sunday's Little League telecast.

"It was unbelievable," Jones said. "That event was one of the most exciting things I've ever watched. What great intestinal fortitude all of those kids had to never give up and never say 'never.'

"They overcame a bad call. They overcame a deficit in the last inning. They did it all. What a thrill. They'll never forget that their whole lives."

Fa'avi said the Little League success will foster a positive image of 'Ewa Beach.

"It goes to show not everything's bad," he said. "We've got a bunch of good kids, talented kids."

PATTON HOPEFUL FOR USC

Left cornerback Kenny Patton, who last week underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, jogged yesterday, keeping alive hopes he will be available for the USC game.

"Don't rule me out yet," Patton said. "No way."

Jones said Patton will participate in running drills today. If there is no swelling after that, Jones said, "we have a shot that he'll be back on Saturday."

The rehabilitation is up to six weeks. Because the arthroscopic surgery took about 10 minutes, "that really helped my recovery," Patton said.

Keao Monteilh, a sophomore, is practicing with the first team at left cornerback.

SLOTBACK SHUFFLE

Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullen yesterday resumed practicing, but it appears the Warriors are poised to start both Jason Ferguson and Davone Bess.

Ferguson and Bess have been the best slotbacks in preseason training. The trouble is, both are listed as left slotbacks.

Jones has solved the problem by moving Ferguson to right slotback during Grice-Mullen's absence. Grice-Mullen is recovering from a strained right shoulder.

But after yesterday's practice, during which Bess and Ferguson were on the first team, Ferguson said: "That says it right now. Coach hasn't confirmed anything. He has to keep taking it day by day. But I'm happy to be out there with Davone. I feel confident when he's out there with me. We're roommates, and we know our assignments."

To go with his expanded role, Bess, in Vonn Fe'ao-like style, bleached the tips of his dreadlocks.

"Blonds have more fun," Bess said.

As for playing against USC, Bess said: "I've got butterflies in my stomach before I go to bed every night. This is a heck of a way for me to start my collegiate career."

Grice-Mullen, who suffered the shoulder injury three weeks ago, had hoped to practice last week, but was told by the coaches "to rest my shoulder more, to get as healthy as possible."

He said he needs to work on running more precise routes.

"He had a really good spring, and I was thinking he might be a starter for us," Jones said. Yesterday "was the first day he had been really healthy. We'll see how that goes this week."

MALALA'S HAIRY SITUATION

Michael Malala is emerging as the 'hair' apparent to pony-tailed safeties Lono Manners and Leonard Peters.

"They were like, 'You grow out your hair, and we'll help you,' " Malala said, smiling. "We've got a couple of new guys, keeping the trend, following the seniors. My hair is getting pretty long. I want to grow it out the rest of the season and see how it goes."

After a circuitous journey to UH, Malala has developed into the top nickelback. When UH uses schemes involving five or six defensive backs, Manners moves to nickel-safety — a position that requires playing closer to the line of scrimmage — and Malala becomes the strong safety.

"I'm with the first team, so it's pretty exciting," Malala said.

A 2002 graduate of Central Kitsap High in Silverdale, Wash., Malala attended UH-Hilo for two years before joining UH last season. "I worked really hard over the spring, and Leonard and Lono are great teachers," he said. "They really help the young guys."

ROLLING IN THE AISLES

Jones and defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville turned the Quarterback Club into the Improv yesterday.

Following UH interim president David McClain, who has promoted banning alcohol at UH home football games, Glanville told the audience, "Because of all of the work the president has done, I'm not going to drink before the game. ... No promises when the game is over."

Extolling the perseverance of his defensive players, Glanville said: "Now we're sliding into the mode of passionately loving what we're doing. If USC knew what I know, they wouldn't bring their butt over to this island."

Then Jones recalled a conversation with Glanville on whether USC would bring its mascot, a horse named Travel VII, which races around the field after every Trojan touchdown.

"As we were driving over here, he just mentioned to me, he hopes they don't bring the horse," Jones said. "It might die of exhaustion."

Asked to name USC's top offensive lineman, Jones said: "The center, the two guards and the two tackles, and the tight end might be the best."

'PIGSKIN PIGOUT' SUCCESS

Jones said last week's "Pigskin Pigout" raised $150,000 for Na Koa, the football team's booster club.

The proceeds will help pay for new video equipment for the coaches. Last year, the Warriors had difficulty reviewing videotapes of opposing teams because of equipment malfunctions.

"We're hoping to get (the new equipment) by the time we get back from Michigan State (in two weeks)," Jones said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.