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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:

Charlevoix’s Bryce Boss punches out of a sand trap during his second round Saturday at Forest Akers West.

Boss Sets Pace as Charlevoix Golf Delivers Memorable 1st-Time Championship

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 6, 2026

EAST LANSING – Bryce Boss admits he wasn’t sure which he wanted more heading into Saturday’s second round of the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Boys Golf Final at Forest Akers West.

"Winning the state title,” Boss said after Charlevoix clinched its first team championship in the sport. “A hundred times out of a hundred. It’s way more fun to win as a team than as an individual.’

The Rayders – who will move to Division 3 next season – rolled with a two-day score of 645 strokes, besting second-place Muskegon Western Michigan Christian by 17.

The championship capped an emotional season for the Rayders, whose season was cut short last year by a vehicle crash that seriously injured several team members and coach Doug Drenth.

Alcona’s Giovanni Paluch putts Saturday; he won the individual championship in a playoff. “I’m really grateful,” Drenth said, blinking back tears. “Four guys who scored today were in the accident, and how they played today meant a lot. These are fine young men, with fine parents. I’m proud of all of them.”

Drenth achieved a rare double Saturday. While continuing to recover from his injuries this past fall, he coached the Charlevoix boys cross country team to the Division 3 team title.

“I’ve had a lot of help,” Drenth said. “My (golf) assistant, Bruce Beaudion, deserved a lot of credit, too.” 

Boss had a chance at that individual championship as well, when Alcona’s Giovanni Paluch three-putted on the final hole of regulation, forcing a playoff. 

Both posted scores of 149 heading into the tiebreaker.

But after they tied on the first playoff hole, Paluch prevailed on the second

“I was hitting everything to the left,” Boss said. “Kinda hard to win that way.”

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PHOTOS (Top) Charlevoix’s Bryce Boss punches out of a sand trap during his second round Saturday at Forest Akers West. (Middle) Alcona’s Giovanni Paluch putts Saturday; he won the individual championship in a playoff. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)