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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:

Flat Rock players pile onto the Kellogg Arena floor after clinching their first trip to the MHSAA Finals on Friday.

Story in Photos: 2025 Volleyball Division 2 & 3 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 21, 2025

BATTLE CREEK – The final four championship contenders earned their ways to the season’s final day during Friday’s Division 2 and 3 Semifinals at Kellogg Arena.

Saturday’s Finals will see the following face off:

10 a.m. – Division 4 – Fowler (35-8-2) vs. Mendon (38-6-1)

Noon – Division 1 – Farmington Hills Mercy (41-5-3) vs. Bloomfield Hills (43-6-1)

2:30 p.m. – Division 2 – Detroit Country Day (28-9) vs. Flat Rock (39-8)

4:30 p.m. – Division 3 – Kingsley (56-4-1) vs. Kalamazoo Christian (30-11-3)

All four matches offer the opportunity for a first-time champion as Fowler, Bloomfield Hills, Flat Rock and Kingsley will be playing for an inaugural title. Country Day will be playing for a repeat after winning its first championship a year ago, while Mercy and Kalamazoo Christian won in 2023 and Mendon’s most recent Finals victory came in 2019.

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Friday’s action.

Kalamazoo Christian junior Eliana Keller unloads a kill attempt during her team’s 25-23, 25-16, 25-20 win over Saginaw Valley Lutheran.

Kalamazoo Christian junior Eliana Keller unloads a kill attempt during her team’s 25-23, 25-16, 25-20 win over Saginaw Valley Lutheran. She finished with 11 kills.

Valley Lutheran sophomore Grace Parker (7) attempts to split by a block by Keller and senior Lydia Boley.

Valley Lutheran sophomore Grace Parker (7) attempts to split by a block by Keller and senior Lydia Boley. Parker had five kills for the Chargers (51-11-3).

Kingsley junior Aizlyn McKinley (10) follows through on a kill attempt as Monroe St. Mary’s Olivia Beaudrie (2) and Kiley Urbanski (9) set up a block during the Stags’ 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 8-25, 17-15 victory.

Kingsley junior Aizlyn McKinley (10) follows through on a kill attempt as Monroe St. Mary’s Olivia Beaudrie (2) and Kiley Urbanski (9) set up a block during the Stags’ 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 8-25, 17-15 victory.

SMCC junior Olivia Horning extends for a dig.

SMCC junior Olivia Horning extends for a dig. She finished with 11 for the Kestrels (36-6-1).

Flat Rock and Fremont players meet on a ball at the net during the Rams’ 25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22 win.

Flat Rock and Fremont players meet on a ball at the net during the Rams’ 25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22 win. Both teams were appearing in a Semifinal for the first time, and Fremont finished 38-14.  

Flat Rock junior Sarah Giroux connects on a kill attempt.

Flat Rock junior Sarah Giroux connects on a kill attempt. She finished with 30 kills and 24 digs.

Detroit Country Day’s Elise Hiemstra (9) winds up for a hit during her team’s 18-25, 30-28, 25-23, 25-23 win over Grand Rapids Christian.

Detroit Country Day’s Elise Hiemstra (9) winds up for a hit during her team’s 18-25, 30-28, 25-23, 25-23 win over Grand Rapids Christian. Hiemstra had 19 kills for the match.

Grand Rapids Christian junior Taylor Frost (4) sends a kill attempt toward a block by Country Day sophomore Sici Guerrant (11) and junior Leah Green.

Grand Rapids Christian junior Taylor Frost (4) sends a kill attempt toward a block by Country Day sophomore Sici Guerrant (11) and junior Leah Green. Frost had18 kills for the Eagles (36-10), and Green had nine blocks for the Yellowjackets.

TOP PHOTO Flat Rock players pile onto the Kellogg Arena floor after clinching their first trip to the MHSAA Finals on Friday.