Beverly Hills

Country Day overwhelmed in D-4 final, falls to Grand Rapids South Christian

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Country Day's Richard Wilson tries to make a catch during the D-4 championship game at Ford Field. Grand Rapids South Christian won the game, ending Country Day's year with an 11-3 record. Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Country Day's Richard Wilson tries to make a catch during the D-4 championship game at Ford Field. Grand Rapids South Christian won the game, ending Country Day's year with an 11-3 record.

DETROIT — Looking at film, Dan MacLean knew Grand Rapids South Christian was an explosive team capable of putting up plenty of points.

On Nov. 23, the Beverly Hills Detroit Country day football coach got a firsthand look at it.

South Christian used a series of big plays on offense and defense, and turned what was a 14-7 halftime score at the Division 4 final into a 40-7 final at Ford Field.

“We tried to make some adjustments as the game went on, but when you make too many mistakes against a team like this, it’s very costly,” MacLean said.

South Christian got on the board late in the first quarter when Derek Woltjer scored on a 13-yard run.

The Sailors went up 14-0 early in the second on a 41-yard pass from Woltjer to Jason Miller.

But Country Day answered later in the frame on a 54-yard pass from Tyler Wiegers to Maurice Ways.

Ways caught the ball near the 10-yard line and then tip-toed his way to the end zone.

The game would never be closer, though.

South Christian scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter less than a minute apart. Woltjer scored on a 69-yard run late in the frame to give the Sailors a 33-7 lead.

Austin Deikever scored on a 6-yard run four minutes into the fourth to make it 40-7.

“I’m very proud to get to this point, but when you’re here, you want to win,” MacLean added. “At the same time, when the disappointment heals, I think we’ll be even more proud of what we did this year.”

Country Day ends the year 11-3.

South Christian also ends 11-3, earning its first state title since 2002.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.