"I came over from Orlando, and I played behind Anton Thornton until he graduated
last season," Patton said. "He's at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC now. The
only camp I've ever been to was Ole Miss', and that was after my sophomore season.
Not many people knew about me going into my senior season."
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound tailback took over the starting job in the off-season
and is off to an above-average start.
"I have like 966 yards and 12 touchdowns so far. I've stayed consistent and just
listened to my coaches. I have good lower body strength and that helps me break
tackles. I've been working on my speed but a lot of people tell me I have break-away
speed. I just have real good work habits."
Pascagoula is off to a 4-2 start and play the state's No. 6 ranked team Friday.
Ramon Patton
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"Picayune scheduled us for homecoming so we're going to go out there and
try and ruin their homecoming. It just makes you want to play that much harder
when somebody schedules you for homecoming.
"I know I'm going to give it a little
extra every time I touch the ball. It just motivates you as a team knowing someone
thinks that lowly of you."
In-state colleges Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi have begun to take notice of the rising star out of the Mississippi
Gulf Coast.
"Coach Mark from Mississippi State called me the other day. My cousin Vic
Ballard goes there and we talked about him some. He told me that they've been
following me my whole season, and they're going to continue to monitor my progress.
I'm supposed to be going up there for a game coming up. I'm headed up to Ole
Miss too for a couple of games. USM has been sending me a bunch of stuff recently
and so has Florida State."
What is Ole Miss saying?
"They told me they're coming to one of my games at the end of the season.
I work out with Cordaryl Weathersby and Senquez Golson a lot and they tell me
a lot of good things about it up there."
Southern Miss is just up the road.
"It's a good academic school and they have a good program. My parents could
come see me play a lot if I went there. I have to get up there soon and meet their
coaches. They're coming to watch me play next Friday."