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High 5s: 11/28/12

November 28, 2012

The final MHSAA championships of the Fall 2012 season give us our final High 5s before heading into winter. This week, we recognize both an individual and a team that achieved new heights. 

Drake Harris
Grand Rapids Christian junior
Football

A 6-foot-4, 180-pound receiver who has committed to play both football and basketball at Michigan State beginning in 2014, Harris posted one of the finest receiving season in MHSAA history capped by playing a huge role in his team's first MHSAA championship. The Eagles beat Orchard Lake St. Mary's 40-37 in overtime Saturday for the Division 3 title. His eight catches for a Finals-record 243 yards and a touchdown put his unofficial season totals at 91 catches for 2,015 yards and 25 scores. Once confirmed, the season yardage will rank as the most in MHSAA history and 12th nationally for one season (his yards per game rank fourth and yards per catch sixth on the NFHS lists). Harris also ranked fourth for catches and second for touchdown catches on the MHSAA single-season lists.

Just ducky: "I'm probably more energized now after he hit that kick," Harris said after teammate Joel Schipper's winning field goal Saturday. "I was probably more tired a little bit during the game. But we condition all practice. We play fast. We play like Oregon, move the ball, (at) a high tempo. We're all in condition, so we really weren't that tired." 

Bring on the new guy: Harris has caught more than 3,000 yards worth of passes from senior Alex VanDeVusse over the last two seasons, but will play with a new quarterback in 2013. "I've been with Alex since sophomore year. I guess I have to start over and work hard all next season and hope to get back here."  

Be like Calvin: "Calvin Johnson, I want to be just like him when I get older. I know I'm a little skinny right now, but when I get to college, I know they'll put weight on me. I watch film on him all the time, watch him running routes. So I take my game after him. He's the best wide receiver in the NFL right now, probably one of the best wide receivers to play the game, in my opinion." 

Click to read more. 

Portland football

The Raiders, unranked despite entering the postseason 8-1, finished with their first MHSAA title won in their first trip to the Finals. Portland defeated Grand Rapids West Catholic 12-9 in the Division 5 championship game after knocking out 2011 champion Flint Powers Catholic in the Regional Final. For the playoffs, Portland outscored its five opponents 169-66 while holding three to nine or fewer points. In finishing 13-1 and setting a school record for wins, the Raiders beat nine playoff teams total including eventual Division 3 Semifinalist DeWitt. 

Click to read more. 

Previous 2012-13 honorees:

Today In The MHSAA

Today in the MHSAA: 1/26/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 26, 2024

1. BOYS BASKETBALL East Lansing remains undefeated after a key 66-54 win over Okemos – Lansing State Journal

2. BOYS BASKETBALL Benzie Central took over first alone in the Northwest Conference with a 60-51 win over Glen Lake – Up North Live

3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Diamond Prince’s school-record 40 points led Troy past Berkley 63-38 – Oakland Press

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Drayten Evans scored a school-record 50 points in Central Lake’s 101-50 win over Grand Traverse Academy – Traverse City Record-Eagle

5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Mackinaw City remains alone atop the Northern Lakes Conference thanks to a 45-34 win over Ellsworth – Cheboygan Daily Tribune

6. BOYS BASKETBALL Napoleon pulled ahead of Michigan Center in the Cascades Conference East with a 50-44 victory – Jackson Citizen Patriot

7. COMPETITIVE CHEER Marion was first and Evart second at the latter’s meet – Big Rapids Pioneer

8. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Midland Dow defeated Flint Powers Catholic and Bay City Western – Midland Daily News

9. GYMNASTICS Charlotte Calhoun was first all-around to lead Coldwater, but Jackson Area won the team competition 125.6-115.225 – Coldwater Daily Reporter

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Ludington also reached 100 points, defeating Traverse City Central 100-77 – Ludington Daily News

Also of note …

FOOTBALL Longtime former Lowell coach Noel Dean is returning to Michigan to take over at Chelsea – Grand Rapids Press