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:

Story in Photos: 2022 Volleyball Division 2 & 3 Semifinals

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 18, 2022

The 2022 Volleyball Finals field is full, with Division 2 and 3 title contenders earning their way Friday to the final day of this season.

Saturday’s championship match schedule, including the Division 4 and 1 finales determined Thursday, will conclude the fall at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena:

10 a.m. – Division 4 – Athens (34-12-3) vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (43-7-6)
Noon – Division 1 – Bloomfield Hills Marian (48-1) vs. Northville (47-3)
2:30 p.m. – Division 3 – Pewamo-Westphalia (45-2-2) vs. Kalamazoo Christian (39-5-3)
4:30 p.m. – Division 2 – North Branch (52-7) vs. Cadillac (34-10-4)

Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Friday’s Semifinals:

Cadillac’s Makenzie Johns (13) blasts a ball over the net as Dearborn Divine Child’s Reese Ringwelski (1) puts up a block. Johns had eight kills as Cadillac prevailed 16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-13.

Cadillac’s Makenzie Johns (13) blasts a ball over the net as Dearborn Divine Child’s Reese Ringwelski (1) puts up a block. Johns had eight kills as Cadillac prevailed 16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-13.

The Vikings’ Cassie Jenema (4) sets for her teammates as Divine Child awaits on the other side of the net. The Falcons finished this fall 16-19-1.

The Vikings’ Cassie Jenema (4) sets for her teammates as Divine Child awaits on the other side of the net. The Falcons finished this fall 16-19-1.

North Branch libero Hailey Green (4) passes the ball from the back row during her team’s 25-13, 25-19, 25-15 win over Grand Rapids South Christian. She had 19 digs.

North Branch libero Hailey Green (4) passes the ball from the back row during her team’s 25-13, 25-19, 25-15 win over Grand Rapids South Christian. She had 19 digs.

The Sailors’ Kennedy Arp (6) looks for an opening in the Broncos’ defense. She finished with four kills as her team concluded the season 36-7-3.

The Sailors’ Kennedy Arp (6) looks for an opening in the Broncos’ defense. She finished with four kills as her team concluded the season 36-7-3.

Lola Stecker (3) blocks a Calumet kill attempt during Kalamazoo Christian’s 16-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-11 comeback win over the Copper Kings, who finished 30-7.Lola Stecker (3) blocks a Calumet kill attempt during Kalamazoo Christian’s 16-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 15-11 comeback win over the Copper Kings, who finished 30-7.

Kalamazoo Christian teammates converge on libero Hope Krichke (4) to celebrate their Semifinal win.

Kalamazoo Christian teammates converge on libero Hope Krichke (4) to celebrate their Semifinal win.

Pewamo-Westphalia’s Chloe Hengesbach (4) and Sierra Schnieder (12) put up a strong block during the Pirates’ 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of Cass City. Schneider finished with four blocks.

Pewamo-Westphalia’s Chloe Hengesbach (4) and Sierra Schnieder (12) put up a strong block during the Pirates’ 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of Cass City. Schneider finished with four blocks.

The Pirates’ Taylor Smith (11) sets for Schneider. Smith posted a match-high 26 assists. Cass City ended the season 34-9-3.

The Pirates’ Taylor Smith (11) sets for Schneider. Smith posted a match-high 26 assists. Cass City ended the season 34-9-3.

TOP PHOTO Kalamazoo Christian’s Annelise de Jong (2) and Calumet’s Allison Bjorn (17) simultaneously make contact with the ball at the net during their Division 3 Semifinal on Friday.