Football roundup: Country Day gets past River Rouge
Detroit Country Day beat River Rouge, 20-14, on Saturday, winning in the Division 4 semifinals after losing in the semis each of the last three years.
For the second-straight game, Country Day's (13-0) sophomore quarterback Jalen Graham stepped in for senior Steve Mann, who was moved to wide receiver because of a lingering injury.
Graham threw touchdown passes to Mann and Chris Bergin, and Kolin Demens scored on a short plunge, all in the first half.
Country Day was held scoreless in the second half, with high winds slowing both teams' offenses.
"We didn't produce much offense,” Country Day coach Dan MacLean said. “Give Rouge credit for some of that, but our defense played really well."
Country Day's defense has been stout all season, and defensive tackle Christian Love had an especially disruptive day, short-circuiting many of River Rouge's (11-2) drives.
Michigan high school football semifinal scores
Country Day will play Grand Rapids Catholic Central next week in the state finals.
"It's a big deal to be practicing on Thanksgiving," MacLean said about Country Day's extended season. "All year we've just tried to be 1-0 at the end of every week. We're going to drain the tank and take our best shot."
More football semifinals
Division 2
Walled Lake Western 37, Lowell 34: Cody White had nine rushes for 104 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 41-yard touchdown throw to Kam Ford for Western. Ford also recorded a seven-yard touchdown run and two other catches for 84 yards for Western (12-1). Jalen Marshal had 15 rushes for 137 yards, and John Tracy had a seven-yard scoring run and went 4-for-11 passing with 75 yards. Lowell finished 12-1.
Division 3
Orchard Lake St. Mary's 49, Dearborn Divine Child 7: Ky'ren Cunningham had two rushing touchdowns, and RaShawn Allen recorded three rushing touchdowns for St. Mary's (9-4). Divine Child finished 10-3.
Division 7
Detroit Loyola 54, Cassopolis 22: Price Watkins was 8-for-11 passing with 158 yards and two touchdowns, plus seven rushes for 50 yards and a score, and Hunter Harris recorded five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown for Loyola (11-2). D'Anthony Robinson had 12 carries 90 yards and a score, and Jimmy Chappel recorded eight rushes for 75 yards and a touchdown. Cassopolis finished 11-2.