Saturday, April 13, 2024

Draven Payne signs with Hastings College

Draven Payne signs to play football at Hastings College seated with his mom, Tara Due.  Behind are Payne's siblings from the left Grady, Finley and Maddox.  In the back row from the left are his dad, Anthony Due, EMF Assistant Coach Jordan Pella and Hastings College Head Coach Matt Franzen.
 


Draven Payne inked his name on the dotted line to play football at Hastings College next year in a ceremony on Thursday, March 21 in the Exeter-Milligan commons.


The EMF senior return team member had a big season for the Bobcats in the safety position but also playing end Payne has been a versatile player for the Bobcats as he spent part of his junior year in the fullback position.  


Payne is well known for his speed on the field and hopes to convert some of that speed as a safety at Hastings College.


He really liked the campus and the coaches at Hastings and looks forward to playing with EMF teammate Breckan Schluter.


His senior season was one of highlights for the Bobcats and for Payne.  Their underdog trip to the state championship formed “bonds that will last forever,” according to Payne.


One of the highlights for Payne in that game was his interception at the State Championship game in Memorial Stadium.


He had 454 total return yards this season and with 17 kickoff returns for 323 yards and 12 punt returns for 131 yards.  Payne notched three interceptions for the season including the highlight reel worthy snatch against Stanton.


The biggest challenge that Payne noted was the transition from eight man football to 11 man.  He also realizes that college players are a lot bigger than high school and plans to spend a lot of time in the weight room this summer.


EMF Co Head Coach Kory Kahlandt has full confidence that Payne will make the transition to college football without too much trouble. “I think Draven is a very coachable kid.  All the teachers and his past coaches will tell you the same thing. You tell him to do something and he will go do it.”


He saw a lot of growth in Payne this year especially in leadership.  “He would come off and try to get the guys fired up.  Knowing he is a quiet kid normally. . . He would come off the field and be amped up.  He would just get his teammates fired up.”


EMF Co-Head Coach Jim Pfeiffer echoed Kahlandt’s thoughts on both Schluter and teammate Draven Payne, “They were leaders in our program and through their hardwork they were able to raise the level of play for our entire team.  Their ability to be willing to meet every challenge head on, the not being afraid to work hard to reach a goal, and their coachability prepares them well for the next level.”


Attending the signing was Hastings College head coach Matt Franzen. He emphasized the change in direction that Hastings has taken in the past three years since he took the helm, “We want to recruit well close to home, to have a presence in your own backyard.”


For recruiting he is trying to “bring a balanced class every year.” 

He is meeting his goals of a balanced class of recruits with the two Bobcats he has signed.  He hopes to use Breckan Schluter for offense and for Payne is “to play on defense, a perimeter position, possibly outside linebacker or safety.”

So while they have been teammates for the last six years, often playing side by side, next year they will be playing on opposite sides of the ball.


Pfeiffer added,”I enjoyed the heck out of their never give up, mental and physical toughness, as well as their ability to have fun with the game.  Hastings College with Coach Franzen leading the Broncos is a program on the rise and Breckan and Draven are two kids who can become leaders like they were for us at EMF.”

 

Kahlandt summed up his thoughts on Payne, “It didn’t matter what position he played he just made the team better.”

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Exeter-Milligan School Board approves consolidation with Friend

 

It’s been 24 years since the last consolidation vote in the Exeter-Milligan school district and Monday evening in Milligan the school board took another historic vote.

In a 15 minute meeting, just minutes after the Friend school board approved the consolidation 6-0 the Exeter-Milligan board gave it’s stamp of approval.

Nearly 30 individuals attended the meeting but no one chose to comment on the vote or anything else.

The board opened with the consensus agenda before Superintendent Paul Sheffield gave a brief review of the petition to consolidate that would be submitted to the state committee. 

There were no discussion items so the board moved right into action items.  Board president Adam Erdkamp read the motion and asked if board members had any comments.  When no one spoke up Erdkamp did, “I appreciate all the work the board has done.  It’s been a long process.”

The board voted 6-0 for the petition to consolidate.

The board tabled the agreement on the Milligan site purchase and the contract with DLR for the elementary remodel citing a need for the building and grounds committee to meet.

The board approved non-certified contracts, and a contract for a fifth grade teacher, Jarod Belden, a York University student who will graduate this spring.

The board set the next meeting for May 15.

 

 

 

Monday, April 8, 2024

Exeter-Milligan Hosts Prom in Milligan

Exeter-Milligan held their prom on Saturday, April 6 in Milligan in the historic Auditorium.  Their theme was Ballroom on the Back Nine and the junior class created a 9 hole mini golf course using decorations from past proms including an Eiffel Tower along with a Viva Las Vegas sign.  Most of the boys in the junior class are members of the EMF golf team.

After the students cruised main street in Milligan during the windy and rainy evening, they exited their vehicles (some needed umbrellas) and entered the Auditorium for pictures and social time with family and friends.
Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield introduced the couples as they walked across Milligan's main street before entering Charlie's for their evening meal.
Later the students danced and golfed the night away before enjoying a post prom which included entertainer Gayle Becwar and ping pong and corn hole tournaments.







 

Sunday, April 7, 2024

EMF Golf Tri with Centennial and BDS

Despite some extremely windy conditions the EMF golfers have had some success on the golf course already this year.  They finished in second at their invite.