Brent Michaels is going from the Knights to the Falcons.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo. Lake Havasu High School senior Brent Michaels, seated, signs his letter of intent Wednesday to attend and play football for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., pending Congressional appointment. Joining him at the signing are, standing from left, LHHS Athletic Director Roger Burger, former Fighting Knights head football coach Kris Garry and incoming head football coach Karl Thompson. Michaels is the first Knight to commit to playing NCAA Division 1 football since Brandon Rooney entered West Point in 1996.

On Wednesday, the standout senior running back for Lake Havasu High School signed a letter of intent, pending Congressional appointment, to play for the Air Force Academy.

“Out of all the schools I talked to, this is really the best opportunity for me,” Michaels said.

Michaels visited Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. two weeks ago and called the facilities “an awesome place. Everything is top of the line.”

Michaels is the first from Lake Havasu City to sign to play NCAA Division 1 football since Brandon Rooney went to West Point in 1996

In his three years as a starter for the Fighting Knights, Michaels gained 4,165 yards on 570 carries, an average of 7.31 yards per carry. He also scored 55 touchdowns, including a state record 470 rushing yards and six touchdowns in a Sept. 28, 2007 game against Avondale Agua Fria and five touchdowns Aug. 29, 2008 against El Mirage Dysart.

He said the Falcons coaching staff intends to keep him in the halfback position, a key factor in his decision.

Michaels, 18, was born in Indiana, and has lived in Lake Havasu City for the past 11 years. He started playing football with the city’s Pop Warner Football program at 7-years-old.

“Football has always been a part of my life,” he said.

On hand for Wednesday’s signing was Michaels parents Bob and Pam Michaels.

“Brent’s brothers have always been an inspiration to him and we think he’s made a great decision,” Pam Michaels said. “We’re so very proud of him.”

Michael’s brother Ryan is currently serving in Kuwait as a sergeant in the Air Force.

Michaels also received congratulations from Kris Garry, his head football coach at LHHS for the past two years and incoming head coach Karl Thompson.

“It’s good for Brent and for Lake Havasu City to get the recognition,” Thompson said. “Maybe now people will see the caliber of athletes we have here.”

Michaels is the second member of the 2008 Knights to sign with a major college. Linebacker Cody Smith, who led the Knights with 81 tackles last year and shared the team lead with three fumble recoveries, signed a letter of intent to play football for Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, an NAIA school.

“For a coach, it’s important to get as many players into college as possible,” Garry said. “But the coaching staff can’t take much credit for Brent and Cody. These are two guys that did this on their own, putting time in the weight room and making the plays on the field.”