Anthony Kokal to follow in footsteps of his father

The Warren JFK senior has committed to Kent State, where his dad was a four-year standout at quarterback.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- When Warren JFK defensive back Anthony Kokal was considering colleges, he didn't spend too much time worrying about whether they were far away.
His dad did.
"My dad said, 'You know, it's good to go away and make new friends, but it's also good to come home on the weekend and have a good meal and do my laundry,'" said Kokal, who will be a senior with the Eagles this fall. "That's a good point.
"Plus, I'm close to my family. They're a big part of my life and it'll be nice to have them close."
Kokal (6-1, 175) committed to Kent State on Sunday. His father, Greg Kokal, also went to Kent. The Cleveland Villa-Angela St. Joseph High graduate was a four-year standout at quarterback for the Flashes from 1972-75.
Kent connection
Did the Kent connection make a difference?
"A little bit," Anthony Kokal said. "It helps that my dad played there, but I made this decision for myself and I'm glad I did."
Greg Kokal was inducted into Kent State's Hall of Fame in 1990 and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the ninth round in 1976. Kokal's older brother, Mike, graduated from Warren Harding High and is now vying for the starting quarterback spot at Miami, Ohio.
"He comes from a great athletic family," said JFK coach Tony Napolet. "Anthony really worked himself into where he is right now. He's got a tremendous work ethic, tremendous. He's a good athlete and he's a leader on and off the field.
"He's just a great kid."
Kokal said he wanted to commit early so he could focus on his senior season.
"Now that it's out of the way, I think my senior year will be a lot more fun, to tell you the truth," he said. "I hope we go a long way."
scalzo@vindy.com