MHSAA STATE FINALS: Country Day Fulfills Coach’s Early Season Prediction, Captures Record 16th State Title

Jonathan Turner
2 days ago
3 min read

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Every August, Detroit Country Day head coach Steve Bossert begins a new season with cautious expectations. He’s often quick to admit when he thinks his team might not have the right mix to make a deep postseason run. But this year felt different almost immediately.

After an early trip to the Boyne Mountain Sports Complex tournament where the Yellowjackets went 3-1, Bossert’s outlook shifted. What started as a modest hope turned into a quiet confidence. He could sense something special forming within the group — and a few weeks later, he knew they might just have what it took to win it all.

That intuition proved right. On Saturday night, Detroit Country Day stormed to a 4-1 victory over South Haven in the Division 3 State Final, claiming the program’s record 16th championship and first since 2018.

Fast Start Defines the Night

From the opening whistle, Country Day played with purpose and precision. The Yellowjackets scored three goals in the first 19 minutes, overwhelming a South Haven team that had entered the match on an impressive postseason run.

Senior Micah Zacks opened the scoring sequence with a deft header inside the box, setting up sophomore Rye Clegg, who redirected the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, Yousef Darwich doubled the advantage after capitalizing on a loose ball near the goal following a dangerous cross from Luke Hourani.

By the 21-minute mark, the game had tilted fully in Country Day’s favor. Zacks delivered again — this time finishing off a corner kick to make it 3-0 and leaving little doubt about the outcome.

Even after halftime, the Yellowjackets maintained their relentless attack. Early in the second half, Tino Haratsaris skillfully maneuvered around a defender and slipped a perfect pass to Zacks, who completed his brace and put the game out of reach at 4-0.

Zacks, who finished with two goals and an assist, said the approach was simple: keep shooting until the chances fell. Against an outstanding South Haven keeper, that persistence paid off.

Jaimes Shines in Defeat, South Haven Battles to the End

Despite the scoreline, South Haven’s Alex Jaimes delivered one of the most impressive goalkeeping performances of the Finals weekend. The senior made 14 saves, several of them acrobatic stops that kept the Rams within striking distance as Country Day fired off 31 shots to South Haven’s 5.

South Haven head coach Randy Bautista reflected proudly on his team’s postseason journey. The Rams had entered the tournament unranked, yet battled through a series of ranked opponents to reach the championship match for the first time in over two decades. Though the night didn’t end in celebration, the coach praised his players for their resilience and unity, knowing they had exceeded expectations throughout the season.

The Rams avoided a shutout in the closing moments when Jaden Bolhuis blasted in a 30-yard strike under the crossbar with just over a minute remaining, earning South Haven a well-deserved goal to cap off its 18-5-4 season.

Back on Top Once Again

For Country Day, the win marked not just another championship but a reaffirmation of its enduring legacy in Michigan high school soccer. The Yellowjackets’ 16th title extended their own state record and continued a tradition of excellence that spans decades.

Bossert credited his players for buying into the program’s demanding standard — a blend of discipline, confidence, and self-belief that has defined Country Day for generations. What began as a gut feeling in August turned into one of the most dominant postseason runs in recent memory, proving that the Yellowjackets still belong among the state’s best.

Final Score

Detroit Country Day 4, South Haven 1

🏆 Country Day captures its record 16th state championship, fueled by a blistering start and a coach’s unwavering belief that this team was built to win it all.

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