Courtesy photo Rapid River’s Joey Smith poses after signing his letter of intent to attend Finlandia University recently in the Rapid River High School gym. Pictured from left: assistant football coach Jack Smith (uncle), Creighton Smith (sister), Lisa Smith (mom), Joey Smith, assistant coach Joe Smith (dad), head coach Steve Ostrenga, Coen Smith (brother), and Rapid River Athletic Director Luke Bero.

RAPID RIVER — Rapid River’s Joey Smith recently made his next move — both athletic and academic — official as he signed his letter of intent to play football at Finlandia University next year.

For Smith, it was a moment he couldn’t have envisioned when he first joined the Rockets team in 2020. But, through hard work and dedication, Smith made it a reality.

“I never thought I would make it this far compared to last year being a bench warmer to this year giving it my all,” Smith commented. “I believed in myself, and I’ve given 120 percent. I’ve been going nonstop giving it everything.”

Smith’s interest in Finlandia began last year when he took part in a campus visit.

“Last year they invited all the starters to come up, and I was like, ‘well, they know Rapid, and they might know me,’ so I sent them my name and went up to look at it,” he said. “I loved the school. Small school, small classrooms, low numbers. It’s a great opportunity.”

With his future plans set, Smith is looking to study history once at Finlandia with hopes of passing that knowledge onto others.

“I have an idea of (studying) history,” he said. “I’d love to teach.”

Aside from stepping back onto the football field at the next level and furthering his education, Smith is excited about the familiarity that Finlandia presents in terms of its location. While the transition of that next step may be daunting, Smith is confident he will succeed.

“(I’m excited for) the close to home feel, it’s only two and a half hours away,” he said. “(The transition) is going to be rough, but I have all my friends and family supporting me. I have all these coaches that have plans for me. I think I’ll make it through.”

While he excels at both the offensive and defensive line duties, Smith hopes to be on the defensive side of things come next fall.

“I’m looking at D line,” he said. “I’m great at O-line, but D-line is more fun. I can get it done, and I’m pretty smart with it.”

Smith, while looking ahead, is thankful for all the support he has had to this point particularly from friend Mason Lippold.

“Of course Rapid River, it’s a small school, I’d love to shout out everybody,” he said. “But one person individually, Mason Lippold. He’s been one of my closer friends, he’s one of the first friends I made when I moved here, and he’s just been here for me.”

For any football program, the college signing of a player is always exciting. For the Rockets it is no different said coach Steve Ostrenga.

“I’m always excited for Rapid River, and I’m always excited for players that want to play at the next level whether it’s D-1, D-2 or D-3,” Ostrenga said. “I just promote sports and athletics. Sometimes it’s hard to get across to young people the importance of being well rounded and how much athletics can teach you.

“Joey just epitomizes that. He didn’t play up until his junior year… he came year his sophomore year. I’m just proud of the kid for his work ethic and where he came from and where he is now.”

Smith’s willingness to work hard and put in his all make him a valuable asset to any school and athletic program.

“The effort is there every day. He’s not afraid of work, and he’s not afraid to listen, and he’s coachable, “Ostrenga said. “That’s why he’s successful. He’s successful because of hard work. He wants it, and he put the time in.

“… Based on what I’ve seen here, (Finlandia) is getting a phenomenal young man. From good morals and good ethics to work ethic, the kid wants to play. I hope it works out for him and he continues. The improvement he’s made to now, just think of what he’s going to look like a year from now or two years from now if he keeps working hard.