Freshman running back Rod Smith rushed for a career-high 172 yards and a school-record three touchdowns and Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant contributed nine tackles on defense as Lake Erie College picked up its first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football victory in record fashion with a 52-42 road win in a shootout over Tiffin University on Saturday at Frost-Kalnow Stadium.

The 52 points scored were the most in the Storm’s (2-8, 1-8 GLIAC) four-year varsity history, as were the five total rushing touchdowns. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak for Lake Erie.

Smith and senior quarterback Sean Bedevelsky (Brunswick) each ran for two touchdowns in the first half as the Storm ran out to a 34-21 lead. The duo were part of Lake Erie’s season-high 270-yard rushing day.

Defensively for the Storm, Gus Armbruster (North Royalton) had a game-high 11 tackles, while Bryant had nine.

Vermilion graduate Mike Virgin had 11 tackles to lead Tiffin.

The Storm closes out the season next week at home on Seniors Day and Veterans Appreciation Day against Ashland University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Jack Britt Memorial Stadium.

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In a battle waged primarily on the ground, with the teams combining for 410 rushing yards, two fourth quarter rushing touchdowns by Joe Glendening allowed No. 21-ranked Hillsdale College to escape with a 35-26 victory over Lake Erie College on Homecoming Day in Painesville.

The Storm (1-3, 0-3 GLIAC) led 26-21 heading into the fourth quarter but Glendening, who ran for 139 yards on 36 carries and scored four times on the ground and once receiving, found the endzone on runs of 25 yards and thre yards in the final nine minutes to lift the Chargers (3-1, 3-0 GLIAC).

Lake Erie took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards on eight plays. Kameron Alexander (Akron Buchtel) was the hero of the drive with runs of 25 and 18 yards and the two-yard score to finish the series. Alexander finished with 102 yards on 12 carries for his second career 100-yard game.

Hillsdale answered right back with a 13-play, 80 yard scoring drive of their own with Glendening scoring from 10 yards out.

Both teams quickly fizzled on their next drive, but Lake Erie marched down the field for a sustained nine-play, 73-yard drive with the score coming on a 10-yard option pitch by Sean Bedevelsaky (Brunswick) to senior wing David Romeo (Eastlake North). The extra point attempt was blocked and Lake Erie had a six-point edge at 13-7.

The teams continued their marches down the field as Hillsdale answered right back when Anthony Mifsud found Glendening on third down for a one-yard TD pass. On their next drive, the Storm got a 33-yard field goal by junior Sam Marcotte (Chardon) to regain the lead, 16-14. In the final two minutes of the first half, Bedvelsky was again able to lead Lake Erie into field goal range and Marcotte converted a 32-yard attempt on the half’s final play to give the Green and White a five point edge at intermission (19-14).

Glendending plunged in from a yard out to cap a 16-play, 73-yard drive by the Chargers to open the second half. The drive took 8:12 off the clock and put Hillsdale up 21-19.

But Lake Erie responded quickly, covering 68 yards in five plays and just over two minutes. Bedevelsky broke free for a 41-yard scamper on the first play of the drive and then capped the series with a 14-yard score – his third straight game with a rushing touchdown – to put LEC back in front 26-21.

After Hillsdale drove to the eight and Colin McGreevy’s field goal was no good, the Storm had a chance to put some distance between the two teams. But Lake Erie went three-and-out and the Chargers subsequently drove 44 yards in four plays, with Glendening covering the final 25 yards for the lead.

Another three-and-out by the Storm was followed by a 9-play, 77-yard drive by the Chargers that made it 35-26 with 4:33 to play.

Lake Erie rushed for 213 yards on 37 attempts, while the Chargers took to the ground 44 times for 197 yards. It was the first time this season the LEC ground game got over the 200 yard mark. In addition to Alexander’s 102 yards, Bedevelsky ran 15 times for 69 yards and a TD from the quarterback position.

Bedevelsky was an efficient 17 of 21 through the air for 183 yards. His top target was senior Brandon James (Mentor) with seven receptions for 87 yards. A 28-yard reception on the game’s final play put James, the LEC all-time leader in receiving yards, over the 2,000 yard mark for his career with 2,012.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebackers Cameron Bryant (Admiral King) and Kevin Chapman each made three solo and six assisted stops. Overall, 12 Lake Erie defenders registered at least three tackles.

The Storm forced Hillsdale into 16 third-down attempts, but the Chargers consistently kept drives alive, converting on 10 occasions.

Mifsud was 24-of-33 throwing the ball for 251 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers outgained the Storm overall, 448-396, and held the ball for 36:05, compared to just 23:55 for LEC.

The Storm is on the road next weekend, with a night game at Ferris State University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Big Rapids, Mich. with live coverage of the game on ESPN 970 WFU N and online at LakeErieStorm.com.

courtesty of Lake Erie College

No. 22-ranked Michigan Tech scored the first 27 points of the game before halftime and never looked back on its way to a 41-10 GLIAC football victory over Lake Erie at Sherman Field.

Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant had three tackles and recovered a fumble in the loss.

Lake Erie (1-1) will host Saginaw Valley on Saturday at 7 p.m.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Lake Erie College came back from 10 points down and won its season opener, 13-10 over Gannon University on Thursday.

Brendan Gallagher threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Cole Gordon that gave Lake Erie its only lead of the game, which was good for the win.

On defense, Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant made seven tackles and recorded two sacks.

The win was Lake Erie’s first in four meetings with Gannon after suffering defeats by margins of two, one and six points the previous three seasons. The victory also means the Captain’s Wheel, a new trophy honoring the winner of the annual Gannon-Lake Erie matchup, will be staying in Painesville this year.

The Storm is in action next on Saturday when they travels to Michigan Tech University for their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Lorain High's Nate McNeal signed his letter of intent to continue his football career, choosing Lake Erie College.

McNeal, a defensive back, was also the Titans' long snapper last season and held a 3.5 GPA.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Clearview quarterback Davon Daniels will be continuing his football career and education at Lake Erie College next season.

Daniels, who passed for 610 yards and eight touchdowns for the Clippers in 2010, was recruited as an athlete and will most likely play on the defensive side of the ball for the Storm.

"I liked the fact that it’s a Division-II school, and I liked all the coaches and the whole environment over there," said Daniels, who will study sports management. Education is the most important thing — and they were able to help out financially."

Other schools Daniels looked into were Ashland, Notre Dame College and Heidelberg.

Daniels played defensive end and linebacker for Clearview and was the team’s starting quarterback for his senior season.

"Davon turned out to be a great leader for us," Clearview head coach Mike Collier said. "He was a quiet kid that became a vocal leader as a senior. He’s a flexible player and was always doing the right thing both on and off the field."

Daniels was a part of the Clearview team, seeing time mostly as a defensive end, that went 10-0 in 2008 and went to the playoffs. He was behind Zach Anderson, a three-year starter at quarterback, before becoming the starter in his last year with the team.
This season, the Clippers went 7-3.

"Being able to be the starting quarterback my senior year and take the field with the other 10 guys was great" said Daniels of his time at Clearview. "I’m looking forward to having fun, winning some games, getting an education and that college life experience."

The football program at Lake Erie, located in Painesville, began in 2008. The Storm went 7-4 this year.

courtesy of Cory Schuett

Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant was named to the All-Ohio FCS/II/NAIA Second Team by the website OhioCollegeFootball.com.

Bryant led the team in tackles this season, recording 73 total stops, including five for losses, despite not entering the starting lineup until the seventh week of the season.
Over the last five games, Bryant made 64 total tackles, reaching double figures in each game. He also picked up a sack and had an interception on the season.

The Storm posted a 3-8 overall record and 3-7 conference mark and fourth place finish in its first season in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s South Division.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant was named to the Ohio College Football All-Ohio Second Team Defense (FCS/Division II/NAIA teams) for his play at linebacker this season at Lake Erie College.

Bryant led the team with 73 tackles and one sack. He also had seven tackles for loss and led Lake Erie's defense in his junior season.

Lake Erie won three of its last four games, including a 48-45 win over Findlay, 30-15 over Ohio Dominican and 31-27 over Tiffin.

Last year as a sophomore, Bryant played in all 11 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams, making 19 tackles. He even returned a kickoff for seven yards at West Liberty on Sept. 12 and recovered an onside kick attempt at Wesley on Nov. 7.

As a freshman, he played in nine games as a true freshman, making six total tackles, including three solo. He was also named team’s Scout Defensive Player of the Year.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Lake Erie College’s three-game winning streak was snapped in Ashland as the Eagles scored just seconds into the contest and broke open the game with a huge third quarter on its way to an 87-17 victory Saturday at Jack Miller Stadium.

Joe Horn scored six touchdowns for Ashland (8-3, 7-3 GLIAC), who outscored the Storm 42-0 in the third quarter on its way to winning its seventh in a row to close the season. Lake Erie (3-8, 3-7 GLIAC) turned the ball over seven times.

Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant reached double digits in tackles for the fifth straight game, leading Lake Erie with 12 tackles and a sack.

Lake Erie won three of its last four games, including a 48-45 win over Findlay, 30-15 over Ohio Dominican and 31-27 over Tiffin.

Last year as a sophomore, Bryant played in all 11 games as a reserve linebacker and on special teams, making 19 tackles. He even returned a kickoff for seven yards at West Liberty on Sept. 12 and recovered an onside kick attempt at Wesley on Nov. 7.

As a freshman, he played in nine games as a true freshman, making six total tackles, including three solo. He was also named team’s Scout Defensive Player of the Year.
Bryant played four years of football and baseball in high school. He was an All-Lorain County First Teamer in football twice and All-District and All-Lake Erie League First Team selection. He was also an All-Lorain County and All-LEL First Teamer in baseball.

Bryant’s grandfather Charles Bryant played football at Ohio State University and professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals. Bryant’s great-grandfather Clay Bryant pitched six seasons for the Chicago Cubs, appearing in the 1938 World Series.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Admiral King graduate Cameron Bryant led Lake Erie’s defense with 11 tackles and Sam Marcotte kicked a 22-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, giving Lake Erie College a 48-45 win over the University of Findlay on Saturday at Donnell Stadium. The win is the program’s first ever Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory.

Mentor’s Brandon James, Eastlake North’s David Romeo and VASJ’s Andre Wells all went over 100 yards receiving, part of a school-record 441-yard passing day by Brunswick’s Sean Bedevelsky, as the Storm (1-7, 1-6 GLIAC) rolled up 634 yards of total offense in rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Bedevelsky threw a pair of touchdown passes to James and scored on a one-yard run in the first half, but the Oilers (1-7, 1-6 GLIAC) got a pair of touchdown runs from Monterae Williams and two touchdown passes from John Soli to Dustin Zielakiewicz and lead 31-21 at halftime.

swalker@MorningJournal.com