Milan is coming off of a 56-22 thrashing of Romulus Summit Academy in the district final while Country Day slipped by Harper Woods 17-12. This is the Big Reds 5 consecutive trip to the playoffs. The Yellowjackets have qualified for the playoffs 14 out of the last 15 years. These teams last met in the 2015 playoffs where DCD defeated Milan 20-13.
Milan 11-0 overall, 7-0 Huron League
Milan is led by Eastern Michigan commit Tristen Hines. The athletic senior is a dual threat as he has thrown for nearly 1200 yards and rushed for another 1600 while accounting for 41 TD’s. Milan is hardly a one man team though. ColeMcelvany is a threat out of the back field along with receivers; Kendrick McBride, Evan Furtney, Dillan Lerrette and Jett Issacs. On defense, Justin Wojtysiak leads the way along with Noah Cartwright, Mcelvany, Hines and Cray Pennington.The Big Reds give up just under 16 ppg with many of those points coming after a running clock.
Country Day 11-0 Overall
Country Day is led by veteran coach Dan MacLean and boast one of the best defenses in the state. The Yellowjackets have given up just 61 points in 11 games this season and have beaten 8 playoff teams. The team is led by Bowling Green commit Marcus Sheppard, but DCD boast a lineup that includes Division 1 prospects William Leggon and Caleb Tiernan. Jacob Yarberry is a veteran RB in the backfield while Ahlon Mitchell and Brandon Mann both spend time at the QB position. Mitchell and Sheppard are sprinters on the Yellowjacket track team.
FNV Outlook: This should be a good game between two undefeated teams. Milan’s explosive offense against the stingy Country Day defense will be intriguing in itself, but an even better match up might be the young highly successful Milan coach, Jesse Hoskins matching wits against the veteran Dan MacLean.
Time to make some history, Milan!
Good luck Big Reds, you can do this.