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: 12/20/22

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

December 20, 2022

1. HOCKEY Devin McIntyre became Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer during a 7-1 win over Livonia Franklin – Ann Arbor News

2. GIRLS BASKETBALL Carleton Airport’s Olivia Gratz scored a school-record 38 points to lead her team past Milan 76-51 – Monroe News

3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Zoie Bamm scored a school-record 34 points to lead Brooklyn Columbia Central past Michigan Center 55-30 – Jackson Citizen Patriot

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Ty Kohlmann tied New Lothrop’s single-season school scoring record with 45 points in a win over Webberville – Owosso Argus-Press

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Alpena edged Hillman 57-54, but Hillman’s Trenton Taratuta tied a school record with 41 points – Alpena News

6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Morley Stanwood improved to 5-0 with a 63-62 overtime win over Cadillac – Big Rapids Pioneer

7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Mason County Central held off a Ludington comeback attempt for a 41-34 win – Local Sports Journal

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Portland came back from a halftime deficit to defeat East Lansing 35-28 – Lansing State Journal

9. BOYS BASKETBALL Concord moved past Sturgis 48-40 in overtime – Sturgis Journal

10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Charlevoix edged Kingsley 49-47 – Petoskey News-Review

Also of note …

FOOTBALL Longtime Rockford coach Ralph Munger, one of the winningest in state history, is expected to take over at Newaygo – Grand Rapids Press