Raiders Soar to Semi-Finals

The Portland Raiders will move on to the Semi-Finals after soundly beating Frankenmuth Saturday, 40-6. The Raider Seniors played their final Portland home game of their careers and did not disappoint.

Both defenses would hold the early upper hand as the game started with a battle for field position. With 5:02 left in the 1st quarter, the field position shifted into the Raider’s favor when the Eagles were unsuccessful on a 4th down attempt giving the Raiders the ball on their own 42. The Eagle Defense would force another Raider punt, but the Raiders would force a fumble on the ensuing drive setting the Raider Offense up on the Eagle 23. End of the 1st Quarter Portland 0, Frankenmuth 0.

The Raiders would move down to the 19-yard line where they were faced with a 4th and 6 where (Jr) QB Owen Russell tried to connect with (Sr) SB Jake Veale but the Eagles were flagged for pass interference. The penalty moved the Raiders to the 9-yard line where Veale would score his first of five touchdowns on the day. With 10:26 left in the 1st Quarter, (Sr) K Tate Dziewiatowski converted the extra point to put the Raiders up 7 to 0. The Eagles would answer though when (Sr) Eagle QB Conner Campbell scored from the 2-yard line after the Eagles put together a 3-minute drive. The extra point was blocked by (Sr) CB Mitch Mallek to keep Portland in the lead 7 to 6 with 7:53 left in the 2nd Quarter. The Raiders would be forced to punt on their next possession but on the punt return the ball hit an Eagles player that was recovered by the Raiders setting up the Raider Offense on the Eagle 19-yard line. The Raiders marched down to the 2-yard line where Veale scored his 2nd TD of the day. Dziewiatowski e tea point was good to put the Raiders up 14 to 6 with 2:34 left in the 2nd Quarter. The Eagles would lose the ball on their ensuing possession when (Sr) DE Jacob Hickling recovered a fumbled snap on 2nd and 10. The Raiders would take over on the Eagle 34 with 2:21 left in the 2nd Quarter. The Raiders executed the 2-minute offense to perfection as they marched down to the Eagle 10-yard line. On 4th and 1 Russell dropped back and connected with (Sr) WR Blake Patrick over the middle for another Raider TD. Dziewiatowski converted the extra point to put the Raiders up 21 to 6 with :08 left in the half. The Eagles connected on a long pass but the Raider Defense prevented a touchdown to end the half. Half Time Portland 21 Frankenmuth 6

The Raider Defense would start the 3rd Quarter off with another hold forcing another Eagle punt. The Raiders would take over on their own 29-yard line and would put together a long 7 minute and 39 second drive that was capped off when Veale scored his 3rd TD on 4th and inches from the 5-yard line. Dziewiatowski’s extra point was good to put the Raiders up 28 to 6. The Raiders would quickly get the ball back when (Sr) S Griffin Summers intercepted an Eagle pass returning the ball to the Raider 32 with 2:22 left in the 3rd Quarter. End of the 3rd Quarter Portland 28 Frankenmuth 6

The Raider Defense would force another turnover on downs when the Eagles went for it on 4th down early in the 4th Quarter but Campbell was sacked by Hickling. The Raiders then went down the field where Veale scored his 4th TD on 4th and 1 from the 15. The extra point was no good with the Raiders leading 34 to 6 with 8:06 left in the game. The Raider Defense would force another turnover on the next Eagle possession when Mallek recovered the Eagle fumble with 6:34 left in the game. Veale would score his 5th TD of the game 2 plays later when he raced 70 yards after a great cut back. The extra point failed putting the Raiders up 40 to 6 with 5:33 left in the game. The Raider Defense forced their 5th turnover of the game with 2:34 left in the game to allow the Raiders to run the clock down before taking a knee to finish the game.

Final Portland 40 Frankenmuth 6

After the game Coach John Novara said, "Our kids played their best game of the season during this Regional final game. Both the offense and the defense performed at a high level. I am proud of our kids and their efforts and the way they prepared for this game. We are going to celebrate tonight and get back to work tomorrow morning. "

There are so many kids that played their hearts out. One of the unsung heroes was (Sr) C/DE Matt Koster who battled the whole game. All doing all you can ask of a player by giving it their all and leaving it all on the field. Portland will move on to play Marine City Saturday November 17th at 1 pm with the game being played at a Howell High School.

Scoring Summary

Portland 0 - 21 - 7 - 12 = 40

Frankenmuth 0 - 6 - 0 - 0 = 6

2nd Quarter

Jacob Veale 9-yard TD run

Tate Dziewiatkowski XPT

Frankenmuth Campbell 2-yard TD run

Kick Failed

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Jacob Veale 1-yard TD run

Tate XPT

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Owen Russell to Blake Patrick 11-yard TD Pass

Tate XPT

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3rd Quarter

Jacob Veale 5-yard TD run

Tate XPT

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4th Quarter

Jacob Veale 16-yard TD run

Kick Failed

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Jacob Veale 70-yard TD run

Kick Failed

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Portland Rushing

Jacob Veale 31 for 242 5 TD's

Trevor Lattimer 4 for 7

Blake Meyers 12 for 29

Owen Russell 2 for 4

Hunter Hoppes 2 for 11

Jordan Selby 2 for 2

Portland Passing

2 for 9 for 16 yards 1 TD

Defense

Grant Werner 8 Tackles

Carson Frewen 6 Tackles

Griffin Summers 3 Tackles 1 INT

Frankenmuth Offense

156 yards 5 turnovers