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A CRUSADE THWARTED
Patriots 51 - Crusaders 14
Sunday - June 24
The Patriots kick off 2007 with a record setting win while traveling to the Lenawee County Crusaders. The
Patriots accounted for their most points scored (game), biggest win margin, most offensive points scored (game).
The team's big victory had even more significance as this was new Head Coach Andre Weathers' first victory as
a Head Coach. His debut coincided with Quarterback Robert Callahan's first game, in which he threw for two
touchdowns and ran in a third. On the receiving end of those two touchdown passes was rookie wide receiver
Jerry Weston.
Running Back Trevor Montroy rushed for two touchdowns and veteran Nate Eller scored a third.
The defense nearly captured a shut out victory, letting only a late fourth quarter touchdown smear the moment.
The other score for the Crusaders came on Callahan's lone interception. The defense more than made up for
the one score by adding two touchdowns of their own; one by linebacker Sidney Hoyle (fumble) and a second by
linebacker Tom Cole (interception return).
The only bright spot for the Crusaders was on Special Teams, where they managed to block two of the eight
extra point attempts. Place Kicker Brian Dinnan added the three extra points.
The Patriots next face the Southern Michigan Timberwolves July 7 (7:00 PM) at Flint's Historic Atwood Stadium
to finish the preseason. The regular season begins with the Patriots hosting the Michigan Admirals Sunday, July
15.
A NEW COMMERCIAL IS RELEASED
Monday - May 20, 2007
A new Patriot Commercial featuring the renovations to Flint's Historic Atwood Stadium was shot May 19 and is
being broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports Detroit, Comedy Central, MTV, Cartoon Network, and more. The
commercials will air through out June and July leading up to the July 7 contest with the Timberwolves.
LYON TO REPRESENT THE PATRIOTS AT THE CHAMPION CAGE FIGHTERS EVENT
Friday - April 6, 2007
Brad Lyon is set to compete in the Champion Cage Fighters Mixed Martial Arts Competition on April 13 at the
Birch Run Expo Center. Lyon will face off against a special guest opponent in a promotional match that will help
highlight the evenings event. Also in attendance will be members of the Lady Patriots Spirit Team as special
guest ring girls.
Lyon is the Patriots' Director of Operations as well as a past Minor League Football All Star and All American.
However, he was also a College and International Wrestler, winning a World Folk Style Bronze Medal in 2002
and placing at the Iron Man World Championships. The Champion Cage Fighters competition is a Mixed Martial
Arts event that features contestants with varied fighting backgrounds including wrestling, boxing, judo, kick
boxing, and other such styles.
HUSKY TURNED OL COACH
Tuesday - March 20, 2007
Former Michigan Tech University Offensive Tackle Corwin Mathews gets his start in the coaching ranks as he is
named the Patriots' Offensive Line Coach. Coach Mathews is another Flint product added to the staff as he was
a stand out athlete for Flint Northern High School. He was a three sport athlete for Norther, participating in
Football, Track & Field, and Power Lifting. While at Northern, he earned All City First Team Honors and All
Saginaw Valley Second Team Honors in 1990. His performance earned him a number of other awards including
"Male Athlete of the Year" presented by the Optimist Club of Downtown Flint, a "Certificate of Achievement" from
the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame, and a "Distinguished Athlete Award" presented by the United
States Marine Corps. He was a four year member of the MTU Football program from 1990-1993.
TWOLVES IN PRESEASON
Monday - March 5. 2007
The Southern Michigan Timberwolves are officially added to the preseason schedule for July 7, 2007 at Atwood
Stadium in Flint. The Wolves are a program rich in tradition operating for the past 13 years and accumulating a
119-52 record along with three MCFL titles. This will be the first meeting between the Patriots and the
Timberwolves. They are coached by Dick Clark, the Minor League Football Coaches Association Michigan Chair.
COMBINE DAY A SUCCESS
Saturday - March 3, 2007
The 5th Annual Patriot Open Public Combine was held Saturday March 3rd at a new venue. Perani Arena was a
first time host for the event and it proved capable as it hosted many potential Patriots. The coaching staff has
begun evaluating those in attendance and management is expected to sign numerous athletes this week as a
result of their performance. (MORE TO COME LATER)
FORMER NEW YORK GIANT BECOMES HEAD COACH
Wednesday - February 14, 2007
Andre Weathers becomes the new Head Coach of the Patriots after a playing career that included All Big Ten
Honors as a Corner, a NCAA Championship with U of M, and a visit to the Super Bowl with the New York Giants.
Three ACL surgeries ended his NFL career early but enabled him to give back to his High School Alma Matter
by becoming the Defensive Coordinator for Flint Central High School. Here he led them to a City Championship
and a three win improvement on their previous season in his first year with the varsity staff; the same school he
helped lead to an 11-1 record as a student.
NEW LOOK PATRIOTS LOAD UP AT MEET & GREET
Tuesday - February 13, 2007
"Uncle Pat" and the new look of the Patriots took shape Tuesday, February 13 during the Patriot Staff Meet and
Greet. The new logo was revealed and an exciting and talented coaching staff was introduced. Two former NFL
athletes, University of Michigan Assistant Head Coach's son, a 15 year High School coaching veteran, and a
past CBA Head Coach are all added to the Patriot family.
Director of Recruiting: Jeff Grayer - An ideal choice to help head up recruiting in the Flint and Genesee
County area, Grayer offers an interesting perspective as a former Continental Basketball Association Head
Coach in Flint for the now defunct Flint Fuze. Grayer was a nine year veteran of the NBA and Iowa State
University's All time Leading Scorer (also one of the NCAA's top 50 all time scorers). In addition, he was a
member of the 1988 Olympic Bronze Medal winning team. His passion for the Flint area is rarely rivaled, evident
by his involvement in the Flint Athletes for Better Education organization. This love for Flint should translate into
big things for the Patriots in the Genesee County recruiting region.
Offensive Assistant: Mark Ingram - 265 Receptions, nearly 4,000 receiving yards, and a 10 year NFL Career
helps this former two time All Big Ten selection from Michigan State offer the Patriots a highly experienced
addition to the staff. If those stats are not enough, he also won a Super Bowl Championship with the Giants.
Quarterbacks Coach: Fred Jackson JR. - Born into the football world, Fred Jackson Jr. is the son of the
University of Michigan Assistant Head Football Coach Fred Jackson. QB of one of Flint's greatest High School
teams in 1993 (11-1 Flint Central High School) he later went on to play at Jackson State University then returned
home to Coach at his alma matter. Here he was the offensive coordinator of a team that scored 24 points per
game, a 15 point improvement over the year prior, while also adding three wins to their previous season's total.
Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Simpson - As a 15 year veteran High School Coach, Simpson brings with him a
great reputation and extensive experience. His knowledge of multiple offensive systems enables him to offer the
Patriot program a diverse ability to game plan and build a versatile offensive system.
Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator): Andre Weathers - A Flint native, Weathers earned All Big Ten honors
at the University of Michigan and captured a national title there before being drafted by the New York Giants.
After being drafted, Weathers earned himself a starting role for the Giants as a rookie before he suffered the
first of three ACL injuries that eventually would end his professional career. That career did include an
appearance in the Super Bowl with the Giants. He returned to his home town and was the Defensive Coordinator
for his High School Alma Matter and led them to a City Championship and a three win improvement in his first
season on their varsity staff.
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