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| History's first draft |
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| Written by Mike Vanden Bosch / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 05 December 2007 | |
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Players, former coach reflect on record-setting season STOCKTON — In the final game of an illustrious three-year varsity career, Keith Yamamoto went out the same way he arrived — with a bang. And former longtime Patterson High coach Carl Selee was there to watch the fireworks. Yamamoto, a three-year starter and All-League linebacker, anchored a Patterson defense in 2007 that helped the team set several school records during a memorable season. The trend continued Saturday, when the Tigers’ defense held Central Catholic to its lowest point tally of the season. On offense, Yamamoto led Patterson against Central with 69 rushing yards and had the Tigers’ only touchdown, a 21-yard run in the second quarter, in the 24-6 section title-game loss. 
“We were down, but we never gave up,” said Yamamoto, who is being recruited but has not committed to any college. “We had a couple miscues, which they exploited every time. This game just showed how good of a team we are and how good of a team they were.” In the fourth quarter, Patterson coach Rob Cozart pulled out all the stops. Instead of calling for an off-tackle surge or a sweep around end, Yamamoto took a halfback pitch and tossed a 51-yard pass to Ronyea Ellington, bringing Patterson to the Central 19. “You got to try everything you can,” Cozart said. “You got to do everything you can. The guys stuck with it. That play could have been for nothing. The players made plays.” Yamamoto wound up with 560 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season, complementing his 109 tackles through 12 games. After the game, Yamamoto earned respect and hugs from the Central team, including coach Mike Glines. “I love this guy!” Glines exclaimed, as both exchanged a hearty greeting. “Come here, Yamo!” Yamamoto’s older siblings, Jason and Corrin, both played sports at Central Catholic. Jason donned a communications headset among Patterson’s dozen or so assistant football coaches Saturday. For all the history linking his family to Central Catholic, though, Yamamoto, a Westley resident, said the bond with his Patterson teammates was something inseparable. “There’s a camaraderie that I’m going to miss on the football field that you can’t replace anywhere else,” he said. “I’m going to miss that bond. It’s like a brotherhood. We’re all a bunch of brothers. It’s different when you’re on the field bleeding or sweating.” The small-town confines of Patterson, Yamamoto said, factored into his decision to play at Patterson instead of Central Catholic. “There are good people at both places,” Yamamoto said. “Here, you play with people that live down the street from you as opposed to people that live across the county. That makes it stronger with the people you grew up with and went to elementary school with.” 
Like Yamamoto, teammate Robby Samano said he would cherish the remarkable season that united the tight-knit Tigers. “I’ll remember my friends and that we never gave up,” said the team’s touchdown leader. “Even if we were hurt, they still played. We were hoping to go this far. We got here, we just didn’t get the victory. It was all right, because we made it this far.” Quarterback Daniel Reza said his enduring memories will revolve around good times and lasting friendships. “I’ll always remember the laughs, the jokes we made, and all the fun,” he said. “In the end, I hope to be great friends with all of them, which I probably will be.” Blast from the past Patterson’s first section title game drew thousands of loyal Patterson fans to Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium in Stockton. But few fans, if any, made as long a trip as former Patterson High coach Carl Selee and his son, Dave. Selee was the varsity head coach between the mid-1960s and 1982, past copies of the high school yearbook indicate. He taught at Patterson High until retiring in 1998 and later moved to Boise, Idaho. “It’s just very exciting for me to have the kids in the championship game,” Selee said. “I enjoy coming back here because I know so many people. Playing against Central brings back a lot of memories.” Cozart honored Selee during Friday evening’s Gridiron Club-sponsored pregame dinner for the football team, and the former coach received warm applause. “Coach Selee was involved with Patterson athletics and Patterson football, and still is (involved) to this day, I think,” Cozart said as he addressed his players. “The influence of coach Selee is on you guys, and you don’t even know it. There will always be (his influence).” Selee recalls a conversation he had with Cozart in 2003, when Cozart accepted the varsity position. “We were at a section baseball game, and I asked Rob, ‘What were you thinking?’” Selee said. “I asked, ‘Do you realize the shape of the football program?’ It was really low. Rob has done a remarkable job. The community should be extremely proud of him.” Though he now lives in Idaho, Selee says his heart and allegiance remain with the young men he coached, many of whom he maintains close ties with. “I’ve coached a lot of the parents, the kids and even some grandkids,” Selee said. “Once you’re here in Patterson long enough, you’ll always be a Patterson Tiger. When they are in the playoffs, I’ll be here.” To reach Play Editor Mike Vanden Bosch at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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