Four Lapeer East High School athletes heading to Adrian College to play football, volleyball

The Adrian College Bulldogs will become very familiar with the Lapeer East Eagles next year.

On Tuesday, four Lapeer East High School athletes will celebrate their commitments to attend and play for Adrian College at a 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 25, ceremony in the school’s Media Center.

Adrian College’s football team will have the largest representatives from Lapeer East with three players from last year’s Eagles’ squad going to the Bulldogs. Eric Rieves, Anthony Hunt and Sebashton Sullivan have made commitments.

East football coach Jake Weingartz and Adrian College head football coach Jim Deere are scheduled to be on hand, along with family and friends of the players.

Also going to Adrian College is Casey Donovan a standout Lapeer East volleyball player. Lapeer East volleyball coach Dan Purvis and Adrian College head volleyball coach Elisa Joris are scheduled to be at the ceremony along with Casey’s family and friends.

Lapeer West's Nate Smith signs with Concordia University to study, play football

Nate Smith always dreamed of attending college on a football scholarship.

With some hard work and a little twist of fate, the Lapeer West High School senior’s dream has come true. Nate signed a commitment letter on Friday, May 7, 2010 to accept a football scholarship to Concordia University in Ann Arbor. He will play quarterback for the university.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Nate said at the signing ceremony. “Two weeks ago I thought I was going to Alma (College).”

That was before fate stepped in. Anthony Pratley, Concordia’s Offensive Coordinator, said he was watching a game tape for another team when he saw Nate quarterbacking West’s team.

“I said, ‘We have to get a hold of this kid,’ ” Pratley said. Pratley called Nate’s coach, not then knowing that West Coach Mike Smith also is Nate’s father.

Nate is happy that Pratley called. “I’m glad to be going to a good place with good people to play and study,” he said.

His dad and coach, Mike, also is happy for him. “And maybe just a little bit proud,” he said.

Nate’s mother, Lila, and sister, Maddison, a Lapeer West sophomore, also attended the signing ceremony.

In 2009, Nate was named to the Flint Metro League First Team and led West to a 9-2 record, passing for 1,612 yards and 10 touchdowns. He rushed for seven touchdowns. He also lettered in football, basketball, golf and track.

Lapeer East athletes sign letters of intent

Lapeer East High School athletes Payton McCallum (Grand Valley State University) and Ellery Owen (St. Clair Community College) signed their letters of intent at a ceremony on February 3, 2010.

Two of Lapeer East High School’s standout athletes were praised Wednesday for their hard work in the classroom and in their sports when they signed commitment letters to colleges.

During signing ceremonies in the school’s Media Center, family, teammates and friends celebrated with Payton McCallum and Ellery Owen as they made their first steps into their college careers.

Payton, who played offense and defense for the Lapeer East High School varsity football team, signed to play at Grand Valley State University. Ellery accepted an offer to play for St. Clair Community College next year.

“These are two amazing student athletes who have done it in the classroom and on the court and field,” East Athletic director Sharon Miller said of the pair.

Payton said he is eager to begin college but doesn’t know if a career in the pros is in his future.

“But I would love it,” he said.

His East coach praised Payton’s dedication.

It’s a testament to his hard work that he is going there (to GVSU),” Coach Jake Weingartz said. “I’ll be very excited to watch him the next four years.”

Payton was named a First Team offense and defense player in the Flint Metro League and was named co-Most Valuable Player.

Ellery said she believes attending St. Clair Community College will be a good learning experience for her.

“It was my very biggest goal to go to a place like this (SCCC),” she said. “I love volleyball and it will be a great experience for me to meet new people.”

Her East coach said her performance lifted the entire team.

“Just her presence on the court made everyone around her better and made us a better team,” Coach Dan Purvis said. “She’s just a great kid.”

SCCC Coach Chuck Weisner said he is excited to have Ellery join his team.

“We’ve recruited very, very well this year,” Coach Weisner said. “ We’ve gotten the best kids from the area and Ellery is no exception.”

Ellery was a Flint Metro League First Team selection while at East.

East soccer team ties Goodrich, Lapeer West vs. Linden game previewed

Lapeer East boys' soccer ties Goodrich.

A Flint Journal preview of tonight's battle of the unbeatens, Lapeer West vs. Linden.

In addition to the Michigan Regional Sports Network webcast of tonight's West vs. Linden game, the Flint Journal's Greg Tunnicliff will be live blogging from the game.

Lapeer West's quarterback, Nate Smith, stars on both sides of the ball

The Flint Journal has done a nice feature on Lapeer West senior quarterback and safety Nate Smith.

Lapeer East and Lapeer West square off at Friday, September 25, game

Fans from Lapeer East and Lapeer West proudly displayed their team spirit during the Friday, September 25, football game at East. The close game ended in an 18-15 victory for the Lapeer West Panthers.

Lapeer East and Lapeer West both score football wins Friday, Sept. 11

Lapeer East 31, Clio 7 (Game story)

Lapeer West 17, Oxford 0 (No game story yet for West's victory - Saturday, Sept. 12, 10:20 a.m.)

Lapeer West football fans invited to photo site

Fans of Lapeer West High School football are invited to enjoy the photos of Barb Machiniak, a long time photographer at Lapeer West games, at her photo site.

The photos are intended for the use and enjoyment of the Lapeer West High School community. Publication or commercial use of the photographs is not permitted without permission.

We’ll put a link to the site in the list to the right, but if you are a fan of Lapeer West football, we encourage you to include her photo site as one of your favorites.

Lapeer West wins overtime thriller in Fenton

A gutsy overtime call to go for a two-point conversion gave Lapeer West a 28-27 victory at Fenton.

The see-saw regulation battle ended in a 20-20 tie, but West prevailed with the two-point conversion in the first overtime.

West is now 2-0 on the season. Here's a nice Flint Journal photo from the game.

Game story and more photos.

Flint Journal: Preston Haggadone rare four-year starter at Lapeer West High School

The Flint Journal has a story on four-year varsity football starter Preston Haggadone.

Lapeer West player makes Flint Journal's Top 10 player list, teams previewed

Preston Haggadone makes Flint Journal's Top 10 football preview at No. 7.

The Flint Journal looks at Lapeer East's football squad and at Lapeer West's team.

In addition to a list of returning and new players the preview includes each team's schedule.

Are you ready for some high school football? Lapeer East and West are

Today, Thursday, August 13th, was the first day in pads for the Lapeer East and Lapeer West High School football teams. Photos of the West football teams are here. Photos of the East football teams are here.