Few choices in a young person’s life are as important as where to continue one’s education.
On May 3, Washington High School senior Jarett Patton, grandson of John and Vicki Patton of Wilmington, has chosen to continue his academic and football career at Muskingum University. Patton is the son of Lisa and Brent Patton. Brent is a Wilmington High School graduate and member of the Clinton County Sports Hall of Fame.
“Muskingum looked at me at the end of football season,” Patton said. “They kept in contact with me through this whole process. They’ve been really good about that.”
Patton is undecided on a major.
“I’d like to thank my mom and dad,” Patton said. “They pushed me hard and helped me out through sports and everything.”
Patton played football, basketball and baseball in his athletic career for the Blue Lions.
“I want to thank coach (Chuck) Williamson, for giving me a chance (to be the quarterback) this year,” Patton said. “He gave me the opportunity and I’m just thankful; thankful for everything this coaching staff has done and everything my parents have done.”
What was Patton’s favorite moment of his high school athletic career?
“My favorite moment was beating Trace, definitely,” Patton said. “Ending the season with a win. My four years in high school, we beat them once. With the new coach, we beat them the first time. It was pretty awesome. We beat them in seventh and eight grade, but this was the first time in high school.”
What was one of his favorite classes in high school?
“European History is pretty interesting,” Patton said. “The architecture and everything about it.”
Patton is hoping to play quarterback at Muskingum. That will be a position, like any other, that he’ll have to earn.
“I’m hoping to play quarterback and punt some in college,” Patton said. “I punted the first three or four games, then I broke my leg and didn’t punt any more.”
Patton missed just one game, that being against Chillicothe in week 9.
“It’s going to take a lot of work to earn the spot as the starting quarterback for Muskingum,” Patton said. “I have to put in a lot of hours in the weight room and get stronger. I’ll have to focus on my academics at Muskingum, too.”
Said Williamson, “Jarett was our quarterback, he was the leader of our offense. When he was playing, he was absolutely phenomenal. He was the player of the state in week two after the game against Circleville. We nominated him and he went up against eight other players’ top performances that week and he won it.”
In the 48-42 Blue Lion win over the Tigers on Sept. 2, 2016, Patton completed 21 of 27 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns. He did have one interception. He also carried 16 times for 102 yards and one touchdown.
“Jarett is a student of the game,” Williamson said. “He knew exactly what we wanted him to do and how we wanted it done. And he went out and performed it. He was outstanding. It hurt us when he went down. He had a good grasp of our system and what we were trying to do. In the summer, he never missed; he was here every day. He did a great job of executing.
“Jarett will be in the mix (for quarterback) at Muskingum. They brought four quarterbacks in. He will be competing for the quarterback position with three other incoming freshmen. He’s got an outstanding chance of going in there and winning the job. He has all the physical attributes. He has the size, he has the strong arm, he has the footwork. He just has to go there and compete. He’s got a good shot at winning it and we’re rooting for him.”
