Only one-third of the football season has been completed, but Clinton Township Chippewa Valley coach Scott Merchant already believes he has one of the best players in Michigan on his roster. Considering what Chippewa Valley senior running back Cephus Harris has done through three games, it is difficult to argue against Merchant’s claim.
Just last week, Harris set the new Chippewa Valley single-game record with 308 rushing yards in a 28-21 win over Utica Eisenhower. He piled on three touchdowns in the process, pushing his three-game total to 10 touchdowns as he’s been the star of the Big Reds’ 3-0 start.
“Every week’s been special so far,” Merchant said. “He’s done something different every game. I mean, if he’s not one of the best players in the state of Michigan, I don’t know who is.”
In Week 1, Harris had 268 yards of total offense -- 122 rushing, 146 receiving -- and four touchdowns in a 45-20 win over Detroit Catholic Central. In Week 2, he had 126 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries in a 38-0 win over Utica Ford.
Averaging just over 12.5 yards per carry and over 225 yards of total offense per game, Harris has been a one-man wrecking crew and has become a weekly staple on MLive’s watch list for the Michigan High School Football Player of the Year award.
“He’s just an all-around great football player,” Merchant said. “He’s worked really hard, not only physically but mentally, to learn his position and other people’s position to help them as a captain. He’s been unbelievable so far.”
Harris admitted that he did not realize he had set the new school record with his 300-yard performance until well after the game was over with. In fact, it was not until Saturday when he noticed a tweet about his record that he finally realized it.
“I had no idea,” Harris said. “I was just playing... It felt nice and all,” Harris said. “It felt great, but it just wasn’t important. I was more focused on winning the game.”
Harris describes himself as an explosive, high-IQ football player who is very aware of his surrounding at all times. Merchant even compares Harris to former NFL standout running back Darren Sproles because of how their skills extend to being a receiver and return specialist.
“He’s that all-around guy who can do all the things a good running back has to,” Merchant said. “He’s his own guy, but if I had one NFL guy he kind of reminds me of, it’s Darren Sproles 2.0.”
Considering the wealth of talent Merchant has coached over the years, that is high praise. However, the recruiting trail has not shown the same respect to Harris as Merchant has. Currently committed to play for Youngstown State of the Division 1 FCS subdivision, the 5-foot-8.5, 197-pound talent was overlooked by even the mid-major schools.
Still, that doesn’t bother him too much. He’s too focused on winning to let other things distract him.
“I’ve got bigger objectives than just Player of the Year or Mr. Football and stuff,” Harris said. “I’m more just focused on winning with my team and keep improving to possibly go to the state championship and maybe win one.”
Despite being the most talented player on his team, Merchant said he’s earned the respect of his teammates because he’s never satisfied with how good he is.
“He works as hard or harder than anyone on the team,” Merchant said. “Not only in the weight room and things like that, but also just in practice running sprints and then working at his position. Mentally, he struggled at times early in his junior year learning all the offense. Now, he’s helping out other guys with the offense. He’s taken that responsibility upon himself.
“He’s just matured a lot as a young man and as a player. He’s really improved in the mental aspect of the game. He’s just so solid.”
Harris’ older twin brothers, Myren and Myles Harris, were on Chippewa Valley’s undefeated state championship team in 2018 before both moved on to join the Wayne State football program in 2020. Myren Harris was a finalist for Michigan High School Football Player of the Year in 2019 after rushing for 1,499 yards (8.1 per carry) and 19 touchdowns that season.
Although the Harris family legacy certainly motivated Cephus to be great like his older brothers, he is not looking to fill anyone’s shoes.
“I just want to make my own name,” Chephus Harris said. “I don’t want to be known as just Myles’ and Myren’s brother and stuff. I just want to come in and get my name out there more, just show what I can do and showcase my skills... I have all my family on my side just telling me I can do it, just really driving me and motivating me and being on my head more.
“I just came a long way. I’m just glad and I thank God that I’m the person and player that I am today.”
Cephus Harris is back in action tonight as Chippewa Valley travels to face archrival Macomb Dakota (1-2).
“I treat every game like it’s Dakota or it’s my last game, or a championship game or playoff game,” Harris said. “I treat every game like that. There’s nothing I would change. I play with the same edge, the same chip on my shoulder since the beginning of the season.”