1999 WHC football team to go into school's Hall of Fame

This year’s Hall of Fame honorees are Steven Edwards, football; Cedric Johnson, football and track; Chet Payne, baseball and football; George Yamamoto, football and tennis; and the 1999 football team, coached by Mark Gritton. Inductees will be honored during halftime of the Falcon’s homecoming game against Reedley and during an evening ceremony. The homecoming game starts at 1 p.m. at the Memorial Bowl, located next to Coalinga High School on Sunset Street.

“The Hall of Fame inductees have made an indelible imprint in the athletic records books at West Hills College Coalinga,” said Gritton, athletic director for WHCC. “Further, they have gone on to establish successful careers as teachers, coaches, police officers and business owners.  Additionally, many have taken on civic responsibilities in their communities.”  

Edwards attended WHCC from 1998-2000 and played right tackle for the Falcons for two years. He was the 1999 team captain, JC Grid-Wire All-American and First Team All-Conference. He transferred to and graduated from the University of Central Florida and was drafted into the NFL.  He played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens. Edwards is currently an offensive line coach for the Orlando Predators.

Johnson played football for two years and ran track for one at WHCC. During his final season in 1987, he was named offensive captain and All-Conference, and he received the coaches’ award. He transferred to California State University, Northridge, where he was named team captain. Johnson is a booster of WHCC and is a retired federal officer.

Now retired and living in Southern California, Payne attended WHCC (then Coalinga College) from 1961-1963 and played right field for the baseball team. He was named All-Conference in 1962 and 1963 and was honored as First Team All-State in 1962-1963. He graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in agri-business and has owned his own agri-business for the last 15 years.

Coming to California from Hawaii, Yamamoto played two years of tennis and one year of football while at WHCC from 1962-1965. As an offensive guard, he was part of the 1964 championship football team, which is celebrating its 50th reunion this year. After graduating from WHCC, he attended Westminster College in Utah. He moved back to his hometown to teach and coach.

The 1999 football team was undefeated in conference play with a record of 6-4. Edwards and Vladimar Borombozin earned All-American honors, offensive lineman Norman Kim earned Academic All-American honors and 14 players were named to the All-Conference team. The quarterback, Te Mon Wallace, had 200 pass attempts without an interception.

The no-host social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the ceremony at 7 p.m. Both are in the WHCC gym. Tickets for the induction dinner are $60 per person. For further information or to purchase tickets, contact Gina Tollison at 559-934-2452.