John Raffel
Sports Scene
It was fun while it lasted for Cedar Springs’ Hank Porter.
The senior running back and defensive back was dynamic in his first five games before sustaining a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.
This was his third varsity season.
“I was faster and stronger,” he said. “Offensively, my best all-around game was against Forest Hills Eastern. I had three carries for 133 yards, an interception, and three touchdowns (including one by reception). We had fun out there as a team. Everybody had fun; had a good game.”
Using his vision and getting out in the open as a breakaway runner were among Porter’s strengths.
“I’m a safety, so I’m a leader to our other D-Backs,” he said.
The Redhawks started out at 5-2 and had been enduring a roller coaster season of sorts, Porter noted.
“We can be successful, but when we’re bad, we’re very bad,” he said, adding that the difference is “focusing and hard work.”’
Unfortunately, in week 5 against Comstock Park, he tore his ACL and was forced to call an end to his high school sports career.
“There’s nothing I can do about it anymore,” said Porter, who had played basketball and had run track, but who won’ be able to do either because of his injury.
However, as Cedar Springs makes a serious bid for the playoffs, Porter plans being the team’s biggest fan.
“I’ll be a part of the team,” he said.