Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Mike Smith of Lapeer West High School the week three recipient of the 2013 High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Smith led his Panthers to a 19-13 victory over cross town rival Lapeer East on September 13 to claim their third victory of the season. This game marked the final game in the 39 year rivalry as both schools will be merging at the end of the school year. In his 29th season at Lapeer West, 16th as head coach, Smith has directed Lapeer West to 11 state playoff appearances. Smith was the defensive coordinator at Lapeer West when the Panthers won the 1995 Class A State Championship. This Friday, Lapeer West, ranked #7 in Division 3, will look to go 4-0 as take on Flint Metro League foe Swartz Creek. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Smith and the Lapeer West Athletic Department are proactive in terms of promoting player health and safety. ImPACT Concussion testing is administered for every athlete during the pre-season of their 7th, 9th and 11th grade year. Coaches and the school athletic trainer have implemented a thorough return to play protocol for concussions as well a heat and humidity policy endorsed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. All coaches are concussion, CPR and AED certified.
