It’s safe to say that the boys varsity lacrosse team was heavily anticipating its home showdown with East Grand Rapids. When the momentum swung FHC’s way in Tuesday’s rivalry matchup of two top programs in the state, everyone in the stadium could feel and hear it. 

After a defensive first half, the Rangers scored seven unanswered to surge ahead in the second. There was nothing more the opposing Pioneers could do but watch the FHC lead extend along with the atmosphere in Ranger Stadium.

FHC head coach Andy Shira and his guys went on to take down the defending state champs by a score of 12-5. After the game, he harped on the consistency that they have exhibited all season

“I think the defense continues to improve every day,” coach Shira said. “It’s playing really well.”

Junior Crandall Quinn allowed just three goals going into the halftime break, but FHC’s attack had only managed a measly four of its own. Coming out of the lockers, it looked like a re-vamped, adjusted offense for the green and white.

Senior Nathan Sarjeant scored the first goal of the second half off a beauty of a pass from Jack McNamara. Then, a few minutes later, junior Jonah McConnell re-lit the flame with a top-of-the-net snipe. 

Once the Rangers’ advantage stood at three goals–the largest of the game to that point–they settled down and settled in. John Tomsheck and Graham Bennett kept it rolling with a goal each. McNamara’s third assist of the night came shortly after, as he fed fellow senior Miles Duiven for FHC’s sixth straight goal. 

The team couldn’t have asked for a better third quarter. Heading into the final 12 minutes, the Rangers clung to a 9-3 lead. With Crandall in the net, it was certainly a tall order for East.

As if a three-assist night wasn’t enough, Jack joined the scoring column with a goal off the bounce, followed by fourth-quarter scores from Tomsheck and McConnell to add to their totals. FHC walked away from the 12-5 win still untouched through eleven games this season.

The boys’ next game will be against another D-II contender in Forest Hills Eastern on Thursday, May 5, at 5:30 at FHE’s stadium. It’s set to be another excellent showdown,

“If something isn’t working, we point it out as coaches and make corrections but the kids are the ones who actually go out and do it,” coach Shira said. “They’ve shown that time and time again, that we can throw almost anything at them and they’ll go out and perform to the best of their abilities.”