THEY'VE STUCK TOGETHER : VALLEY COLLEGE'S FENWICK KNEW TALENT WAS AT KENNEDY.

Byline: Dave Desmond Daily News Staff Writer

Some day, Damion Thompson, Antwane Smith, Karalus Doyle and Semisi Umufuke will pack up their football equipment and say goodbye, moving on to their respective four-year colleges.

``That's going to be tough,'' said Doyle, who attended Fenton Elementary in Lakeview Terrace and Maclay Junior High in Pacoima alongside Thompson and Smith.

Umufuke joined them after moving from Tonga and enrolling at Kennedy High School in the 11th grade.

``We've been friends for so long, beside each other every step for almost our entire lives,'' Doyle said.

All four, along with former Kennedy teammate Vince Carthron, were reunited this season at Valley College (9-1), which will host Hancock (9-1) in Saturday night's No Fear Bowl in Van Nuys.

Their farewell should have come last year when, as seniors at Kennedy, they were upset in the City 4-A semifinals, ending a memorable 12-1 senior season.

By the end of the school year, Thompson, a 6-foot, 233-pound linebacker, and Doyle, a 6-0, 175-pound cornerback, had committed to Washington State. Smith, a 5-9, 180-pound running back, selected Washington.

But each had problems with the SAT, forcing them to play this season at a J.C. program.

Smith immediately opted for Valley, joining Carthron.

Thompson, Doyle and Umufuke (6-2, 215), a defensive lineman, chose to attend Mt. San Antonio College. They practiced with the team only one day before deciding to reunite with Smith.

``They kind of trickled in at the last minute,'' Valley coach Jim Fenwick said. ``That's what we were hoping for all along. We were happy to have them. They're all good players who are legitimate Division I guys down the road.''

For Thompson and Doyle, that road has been dotted with U-turns.

As childhood buddies, Thompson, Doyle and Smith always dreamed of playing football at San Fernando High School.

As ninth-graders from Maclay, they sat in the San Fernando section, watching as Kennedy beat the Tigers for the 1992 Northwest Valley Conference title.

A short time later, a Kennedy administrator and player appeared at Maclay's high school recruiting day. That player, coincidentally, was Carthron.

``We all wanted to be together and, after that game, we changed our minds,'' Doyle said.

Perhaps it's no coincidence that Kennedy was a local power by the time the group hit its senior season, or that Valley is in the postseason while Mt. SAC has turned in its uniforms.

``Every one of those guys are quality people and excellent athletes,'' Kennedy coach Bob Francola said. ``They're winners.''

But during their first two seasons at Kennedy, the Cougars were a mediocre 9-10-2. Thompson, Smith, Doyle and Umufuke dedicated themselves in preparing for a special 1995 season. They worked out long hours, many in the weight room under the supervision of Umufuke's father, a professional bodybuilder and Mr. Universe competitor.

``That was some heavy-duty working out,'' Thompson said of the summer of '95.

It paid off, with the Cougars winning their first 12 games before losing to Dorsey in the semifinals.

``We dedicated ourselves to reach a goal,'' said Smith, who next season is expected to step in at running back for Marcus Harvey, graduating Western State Conference Player of the Year. ``And to lose it was devastating.''

Together at Valley, the group is making the most of its second chance, winning the WSC South Division and participating in a prestigious postseason bowl game.

``For us to be together after the hurt we went through last year feels good,'' Doyle said. ``We are together now for the big game and it's a big load off our chests. We made it.''

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4 Photos

Photo: (1-4--color) CROSSING PATTERNS

Five former Kennedy High School players will represent Valley College at Saturday's No Fear Bowl in Van Nuys. Damion Thompson, Semisi Umufuke, Karalus Doyle, Vince Carthron and Antwaine Smith (not pictured) all played at JFK.

(1--color) Damion Thompson

Freshman linebacker

Fast Fact: Aunt was once in Guiness Book of World Records with 21 children.

(2--color) Semisi Umufuke

Freshman defensive end

Fast Fact: Tongan national, son of professional bodybuilder.

(3--color) Karalus Doyle

Freshman cornerback

Fast fact: Grew up on same street with Smith.

(4--color) Vince Carthron

Sophomore linebacker

Fast fact: As a high school sophomore, helped recruit Smith, Thompson and Doyle to Kennedy.