SEMIS: Country Day vs. Croswell-Lexington

**O'Neil Swanson celebrates after scoring his second TD**
**Lexington had trouble bringing down Bennie Fowler**

**Mose Hogan pressures Cameron Barrett**

**Lee Bailey brings down Ryan Fabbri**

Macomb- After falling behind 6-o, Country Day used their special teams to help rally back with 48 unanswered points for a 48-6 win in a Division 4 semi-final. The Yellowjackets used their special teams to set up the touchdowns but it was seniors Bennie Fowler and O'Neil Swanson who did most of the cashing in for the Yellowjackets who now advance to the division 4 championship game against Holland Christian.

Although the score looks one sided, Croswell gave Country Day an early scare. The Pioneers were able to move the ball early on through the air but credit the Yellowjackets because they came up with key sacks to stop the Pioneers from putting up any first quarter points. Crosswell got deep near the goal line on their third drive but a sack on 3rd down from Tim MacLean pushed the Pioneers back to face a 4th-and-17 on the 18 yard line. Cameron Barrett threw a dagger in the endzone that was caught by Dominic Arnold. The extra point was blocked giving Lexington a 6-0 lead.

The Yellowjackets didn't waste anytime to retake the lead, on the ensuing possession O'Neil Swanson twisted out of a tackle and raced 58 yards for a touchdown to take a 7-6 lead. After forcing a 3-and-out, Mose Hogan blocked the punt, giving C.D. the ball on the 21 yard line. Sawnson's 7 yard run gave C.D. a 14-6 lead. Special teams struck again for the Yellowjackets by recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Bennie Fowler's 6 yard touchdown, followed by Swanson's 2 point conversion run, gave C.D. a 22-6 lead. Country day added a 36 yard field goal to end the half making the halftime score 25-6.

Country Day started the third quarter with a 60 yard run from Swanson to set up a 1st-and-goal from the 2. Fowler capped the drive on the next play. Two plays later Jason Ray intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a 39-6 lead. Fowler added another TD run and the Yellowjackets added a safety to finish the scoring.

BREAKDOWN

Country Day- I like the fight I saw out of Country Day early on when the game wasn't going their way. The defense was phenomenal, even early on when Lexington was moving the ball, C.D. came up with some big sacks to end drives. The secondary didn't give up any yards after the catch and picked off four passes. The special teams played the biggest role by blocking a punt, forcing a fumble, blocking an extra point, and constantly setting up solid field position.

Lexington- the Pioneers had a solid game plan and I like their aggressiveness to pass early on, but they just had never seen the type of athletes that Country Day puts on the field and couldn't keep pace.

GAME MVP: O'Neil Swanson, Country Day the Yellowjackets couldn't get anything going on offense till Swanson broke loose for the 48 yard TD. Swanson finished with 158 yards, 2 TD's, and a 2-point conversion run.

Bennie Fowler, CD- Fowler had two big plays to set up a pair of 1st-and-goals in the first half. He added 3 scores and close to 100 all purpose yards. CD does a good job of moving Fowler around to get him the ball in open space.

Chris Eddins, CD- continues to prove his D-1 value by making plays at D-tackle. The 6-4 Eddins batted down a pass and added a sack.

Lee Bailey, CD- the sophomore corner held his side down, rarely gave up catches but instantly made the tackle.

Mose Hogan, CD- Hogan plays a few positions but is always around the ball. His block punt was huge in the win.

Jason Ray, CD- the 6-2/200 pound safety comes up and hits like a linebacker. He has great instincts and speed that were both seen in his 42 yard INT return.

Ryan Fabbri, Lexington- the sophomore receiver had a handful of receptions, and even took a reverse for a first down. He was forced to play QB after Barrett was knocked out of the game for a series. 5-10/155 pound athlete with some decent speed.

Dominic Arnold, Lexington- the freshman receiver had his team's lone TD and made a nice catch in traffic for it.