Country Day overcomes, advances to first state final since 2014
HOWELL » There was a time where you couldn’t talk about Division 2 boys lacrosse without talking about Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
The Yellowjackets won three state championships in the first nine years as a MHSAA sport, and appeared in another final, but DCD has been absent from the finals since last winning in 2014.
Chris Garland wanted that to change when he was brought into lead the program a few years ago.
There was a close call in 2021 that saw Country Day fall in OT to East Grand Rapids in the state semifinals.
On Wednesday, the Yellowjackets were determined not to let that happen again. After facing an early three-goal deficit, DCD controlled most of the game to pick up a 12-10 win over EGR and advance to Saturday’s Division 2 state championship game.
“This is the way we’ve played. We told the guys that we always bounce back, and we believe in each other. It’s just a great group of kids. I’m really proud of this team,” an emotional Garland said after the game. “It means so much to me working here and coaching at Country Day and coaching these boys. I was pretty emotional at halftime, but I love the place. They gave it all for their teammates and their school and for each other…that was a Country Day win.”
DCD (19-2) will face unbeaten Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (20-0) in the final on Saturday at 2 p.m. from Parker Middle School in Howell, the same location of Wednesday’s victory.
“It feels so good to get back over the hump. So many great coaches have had this job. John Kenny, I get to fill the role that he filled. He’s a good friend of mine. Bryon Collins has had this job. These are guys I want
to be proud of Country Day. I want them to look at the program and say, ‘they are doing really well.’ I’m really proud and it does mean something to be back,” Garland said of reaching the finals.
East Grand Rapids (17-4) controlled most of the possession in the opening quarter and established a 4-1 lead on Country Day. Included in the early surge was a goal from goalie Hudson Bardeggia, who took advantage of DCD goalie Max Kunnath leaving the net for a 10man defensive ride.
Kunnath would avenge the play in the second, when he baited Bardeggia into taking another shot, intercepted the attempt, up field, and fed Parker Yearego, who took the ball in for a goal as part of a 6-1 run for the Yellowjackets.
“I did (try to bait him in), and it worked,” Kunnath said of the goal. “I just passed it up to my cousin Parker and we got a goal.”
Playing its usual aggressive style on both sides of the field, DCD got its offense going in the second with transition opportunities. The Yellowjacket scored seven times over the final 13 minutes of the first half to take an 8-6 lead into the break. Caiden Ramos, a sophomore, had three goals in the first half to lead the Jackets. In the second half, it would be the play of Kunnath and the DCD defense that would really keep the Yellowjackets in control. Kunnath had six saves in the second half, most of which came in the third, to keep the Yellowjackets in the lead throughout the rest of the game.
“First half I was a little rocky and we let up some goals that I know we shouldn’t, and I know I shouldn’t because I’ve been playing really well all year,” the senior goalie said. “I just had to get my mind right when we got in the locker room. I just told myself at halftime, ‘you are a great goalie. You can make these saves and you are going to get this team to the state championship.’”
East Grand Rapids wouldn’t get any closer than two goals for the remainder of the match. Each time the EGR got close, the Jackets had an answer. Yearego, a senior, finished with four goals to lead the Jackets offensively.
“Seniors always lead the way. It was those guys that led us all season,” Garland said. “We have kids that play multiple sports and are just great kids that play for one another and support one another. This place means a lot to them.”
Freshman Cormac Scane had two goals in the win, while sophomore Caden Daley also found the net twice. Kunnath finished with a total of 10 saves.
“It feels amazing,” Kunnath said of the win. “I told the guys that not many teams get this opportunity, so we should feel blessed. We can’t take it for granted.”
One of Country Day’s two losses this season came at the hands of Forest Hills Central. It was an 18-10 loss on the road back on March 30.