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Lake Roosevelt Raider student-athlete Steven Flowers signed a letter of intent Feb. 6 to play football for Eastern Washington University.

"I think it's awesome; he's worked hard," his father Josh Flowers said, adding that Flowers was in the first group of kids to play in the little-league football program started by the late Rob Williams.

"It's kind of overwhelming," his mother Jaleen Flowers said. "I'm really happy and proud of him. He made some major goals, and it made a hard road. He's been through a lot of trials and he's always wanted to be that way. He's here now, and we're very happy that he made it this far."

Several members of Flowers' family attended the signing at LR, as well as his teammates and coaches.

A Raider football player since he was a freshman, Flowers notably played quarterback and defensive linebacker his sophomore and senior years for Lake Roosevelt in some of the team's most successful years in recent memory, which included winning the league championship in 2018.

"It's awesome for him," said Raider football coach Bubba Egbert. "He's worked awful hard for it. I look forward to watching his progress there and watching him play. I'm proud of him."

A shoulder injury kept him from playing his junior year, but Flowers said that didn't make him give up on his goals or stop working out, something he says he wakes up at 6:15 a.m. every day to do for an hour and a half.

Flowers will play as a defensive linebacker for the EWU Eagles, who made it to the national championship this past season.

"I've always talked about wanting to play in college," Flowers said. "The thing that really pushed me was when Coach (Loren) Endsley came here. I always wanted to do it, and he showed me how I could do it. Ever since then, I've been trying to get there one step at a time."

"Steven is the hardest working athlete I have ever coached," Endsley told The Star. "I am beyond proud of him going to Eastern Washington. They are getting an absolute workhorse in Steven. He has the work ethic, determination, and natural athletic ability to strive in an environment like Eastern Washington. The Eagles got a special player in him."

Flowers said he chose EWU because it's close to home. "I'd love to be able to play in front of my family," he said. Flowers had also been seriously considering Montana State University.

Flowers also noted that the coaching staff at EWU impressed him, and he's seen several games there over the years.

Eating right, working out, and drinking water instead of pop were important to Flowers as he worked toward his goal, he said, as well as staying focused.

"Mentally wise, it's just taking it upon myself to get better every day," Flowers said. "That's what got me here so far, and I'm going to keep doing the same things to get me even higher."

Flowers also wrestles for LR, something he said improves his football skills, and also participates in track and field, frequently placing in the shot put.

He expressed gratitude for his friends, family, and coaches for their support of his efforts.

"My freshman year, my favorite memories were the long road trips we had on the bus," Flowers said, looking back at his LR football days.

Another favorite memory was winning the league championship in 2018. "Especially since it was a home game," Flowers said. "I got to celebrate it with all my buddies and family. I was pretty proud of that."

Flowers also maintains an honor role-level grade point average, between 3.7 and 3.9, his mother noted. He plans to study business at EWU.

"I like real estate and financing," the young man said.

EWU's opening football game for their 2019 season is scheduled for Aug. 31 against the University of Washington Huskies in Seattle.

Husky Stadium, and the Eagle's Roos Field, are a little bit bigger than Coulee Dam's Greene Field.

"It's gonna be awesome," Flowers said.