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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:

Today In The MHSAA

Today in the MHSAA: 6/10/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 10, 2024

1. GIRLS LACROSSE Grand Rapids Catholic Central finished a perfect season, and Brighton won its third straight Finals title – MHSAA.com

2. BOYS GOLF Orchard Lake St. Mary’s won its first Finals championship in this sport, and Detroit Catholic Central, Traverse City St. Francis and Clarkston Everest Collegiate also were victorious – MHSAA.com

3. BOYS LACROSSE Detroit Catholic Central surged during the second half, and Detroit Country Day posted one of the highest scoring totals in Finals history as they clinched championships – MHSAA.com

4. SOFTBALL Division 2 top-ranked Gaylord downed honorable mention Essexville Garber and then No. 5 Escanaba to clinch a Regional title – Petoskey News-Review

5. SOFTBALL No. 7 Hillman scored a combined 29 runs to defeat Rudyard and Indian River Inland Lakes in Division 4, and broke the MHSAA record for runs in a season – Alpena News

6. BASEBALL No. 10 Norway earned its first trip to the Semifinals with a 3-2 win over No. 12 Rudyard in Division 4 – Iron Mountain Daily News

7. SOFTBALL No. 8 Clare claimed its first Regional title since 1986, defeating St. Louis and honorable mention Standish-Sterling in Division 3 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

8. GIRLS SOCCER No. 7 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian advanced to the Division 4 Semifinals with a shootout win over No. 13 Elk Rapids – MI Sports Now

9. SOFTBALL Honorable mention New Lothrop advanced in Division 3 with wins over honorable mention Otisville-LakeVille Memorial and No. 6  Cass City – Owosso Argus-Press

10. BASEBALL No. 15 Spring Lake advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since 1995 with an 11-5 win over Petoskey in Division 2 – Muskegon Chronicle