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: 10/3/22

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 3, 2022

1. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Rochester Adams – No. 7 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – won its first Oakland County championship, also ending LPD1 No. 4 Farmington Hills Mercy’s 18-year title run at the meet – Oakland Press

2. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING LPD3 No. 3 Holland Christian was first and No. 4 Milan second at the D3 Invitational – Holland Sentinel

3. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Macomb L’Anse Creuse North won the final event to clinch the Macomb County championship – Macomb Daily

4. BOYS TENNIS Sturgis and Vicksburg tied for the Wolverine Conference Tournament title, but Sturgis earned the overall championship with a perfect dual match record – Sturgis Journal

5. CROSS COUNTRY The Okemos girls and LPD1 No. 7 Traverse City Central boys won the elite races at the Shepherd Bluejay Invitational – Traverse City Record-Eagle | Athletic.net

6. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD2 No. 5 St. Joseph girls and Berrien Springs boys earned Berrien County Meet championships – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

7. VOLLEYBALL Homer swept Division 4 No. 8 Hillsdale Academy in the final to win its own invitational – Jackson Citizen Patriot

8. BOYS TENNIS LPD3 No. 4 Chelsea won every set in claiming Trenton’s Honor and Glory Tournament title – Chelsea Sun Times News

9. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD1 No. 2 Holland West Ottawa and LPD2 No. 1 Otsego girls and LPD1 No. 2 Portage Central and LPD2 No. 1 East Grand Rapids boys were among champions at the Otsego Invitational – Athletic.net

10. CROSS COUNTRY Grand Haven swept races and the LPD4 No. 1 Wyoming Potter’s House Christian boys were also among winners at the Allendale Falcon Invitational; Grand Haven’s boys are No. 3 in LPD1 – Local Sports Journal | Athletic.net