It all started when Marcus Patterson showed classmate Eric Johnson a magic trick in math class last year. During free time, of course. Then Johnson told their teacher, Brian Chenoweth. “I didn’t know if I was ready to show a teacher a trick,” recalls Patterson, a senior at University City High School, of the unplanned public performance. “(Chenoweth) came over, and I did the trick again. It went well. He didn’t know what I did (to carry off the trick). He asked if I had any other tricks. So I did some others.” After that, with Patterson’s reputation for sleight of hand cemented, Chenoweth would ask from time to time if he had a new trick to perform. The 5’9″, 165-pound running back for the Centurion football team has been achieving the same elusiveness against defensive opponents this season, which has seen UCHS receive a bye in the first round of the CIF Division 4 playoffs, and prepare to play host to Santana in a second-round game as the second seed. Patterson, whose younger brother Marcel starts at cornerback on defense, amassed 829 yards on 130 carries through 10 regular season games, by far leading the Centurions in both categories. That is a 6.6-yard average per carry. Patterson has scored four touchdowns and a total of 26 points to help lead first-year head coach Ryan Price’s contingent to a 3-1 record in the Central League, 8-2 overall. The 3-1 record in league was good for second place to Kearny, another resurgent team. The genesis of Patterson’s prestidigitation for classmates and teachers is his aunt, showing her nephew a trick when he was about 5 years old. “I got interested in card tricks,” the amenable senior says, “and I started learning sleight of hand. I showed some people at school.” Patterson, who is interested in a career in law enforcement or the military, says the attraction of magic for those who enjoy his tricks is the deceptive view it presents. “People like the illusion, the sense of not knowing what happened and trying to figure that out,” he says. “People ask, ‘How’d you do that?’ It draws more attention. They bring more people. You do the same trick over and over. You have to watch it, or they’ll figure it out.” A highlight of UC’s season was a 20-19 cliffhanger win at home over Bishop’s in week eight of the season. Even though the game was a non-league contest, Patterson communicates the energy and excitement of that local rivalry game. UC fell behind the Knights 19-7, and still trailed 19-14 after scoring just before halftime. Then the Centurions pushed a touchdown over in the fourth quarter, forging ahead 20-19. The point after touchdown failed. Bishop’s missed a field goal with time running out to preserve the win for UC and move its record to 6-1 on the season. Relates Patterson, “It was a close game throughout, and it kept everyone on their feet. Our stands, like the people who were watching the game, were super-hyped, and everyone was going crazy. “Then they (Bishop’s) had a chance to win the game with, like, one second left, and they missed the field goal. I and everyone ran onto the field. It was basically a party on the field after the game.” Patterson’s productive running has furthered the Centurions’ resurgence in football. He has recorded three games of 100 or more yards rushing. Providing a role model for Patterson is offensive coordinator Brian Robinson. “My coach has always taught me to fight through adversity and that it (hard work) will suck but in the long run it will all be worth it,” says Patterson. “And he also said don’t just be good but be great at what you do.” Patterson values his head coach as well. “He’s real with us,” observes the 17-year-old of Price. “He will tell us something direct, where other coaches would not (be as blunt”). “Another thing he does is talk about being the new University City, not playing like the old UC that wasn’t known for being good at football.”