top of page
  • Jim Townsend

Raiders Roll Over Orioles - Move to 4-0

The Portland Raider varsity football team hosted the Orioles of Charlotte on Friday night in the second annual Military Appreciation game between the two schools. The Raiders defeated Charlotte handily, 51-0.

As part of the Military Appreciation festivities, pregame activities included a hospitality tent for veterans and active duty service men and women. Representatives of the Army, Navy and Marie Corp were also present.

Players for each team played the game in honor of a selected military member.

The VFW Post 4090 Color Guard raised the American flag as the PHS marching band played the National Anthem and the Raider cheerleaders collected $610 for local VFW relief fund.

Charlotte kicked off to Portland to start the game and the Raiders started on their own 45. The Raiders were able to move the ball effectively in their opening drive. The drive was capped off with a seven-yard touchdown run by senior Gavin McGregor with 8:27 remaining in the first. The PAT by junior kicker Cameron Roof was good and the Raiders had a 7-0 lead.

Charlotte started their first possession on their own 13. The Orioles were able to pick up one first down, but the Raider defense held and forced the Orioles into a fourth and long situation. Charlotte attempted a fake punt but was stopped short and the Raiders would take over on Charlotte’s 30.

On the first play of the drive Portland senior QB Owen Russell connected with senior David Svanda for a 30-yard Touchdown with 4:36 on the clock. Roof’s PAT sailed wide right and the Raiders extended their lead to 13-0.

The Orioles started their possession on their own 15. Charlotte fumbled the ball and Portland senior Kobe Kazamer recovered putting the Raiders on the Charlotte 12.

Russell connected with senior Blake Meyers for a seven-yard touchdown pass with 3:39 left in the first. Roof’s point after was good, putting Portland up 20-2.

Charlotte started on their own but failed to make any progress and punted the ball to Portland.

Portland started their next drive on Charlotte’s 35 with 1:53 remaining in the first. Russell would connect with Svanda for a nine-yard TD 0:03 remaining in the first. Roof nailed the PAT and Portland went up 27-0.

Charlotte started their first possession of the second quarter on their own 20, and was able to put a small drive together, but Portland senior linebacker Carson Frewen put that to an end when he intercepted an Oriole pass.

The Raiders would start on their own 35 with 9:38 remaining in the second quarter. Portland was able to get on the scoreboard once again when senior Jordan Selby broke free for a 50-yard TD run. Roof connected on the PAT and the Raiders extended their lead to 34-0.

Roof put the following kick off into the Charlotte endzone and the Orioles would start on their own 20. After making a little progress offensively, the Raiders forced Charlotte into a 4th and 26 on their own 27, forcing another Charlotte punt.

Portland started on Charlottes 43 with 5:27 remaining in the quarter. The Charlotte defense was able to stop the Raider offense for the first time of the night, forcing a turnover on downs.

Charlotte started on their own 38 with 3:16. The Orioles were able to drive into Portland territory, but the Raiders forced them to punt. Portland would take over at their own nine-yard line with only 1:01 remaining in the half.

Portland’s Russel would connect with Meyers, then sophomore Haden Getchell to move Portland to the Oriole 30. Another Russell pass to Meyers would land the Raiders on the Charlotte 13 with just 0:03 left on the clock. Portland Roof would connect on the Field goal as time expired, extending the Raider lead to 37-0.

Portland kicked to Charlotte to start the second half and Charlotte would start their drive on their own 25. Portland senior Paton Russel put that drive to and end quickly when he intercepted an Oriole pass giving the Raiders the ball on their own 49. Portland Meyers would break free on a run play and move the Raiders to Charlottes one-yard line. Getchell would run the ball into the endzone with 5:24 left in the third. The PAT by Roof was good and the Raiders lead was now 44-0.

Charlotte started their drive pinned in at their own five. The stingy Raider defense forced a four and out and the Orioles punted from their own endzone.

Portland would take over on the Oriole 37.

The third quarter would end with Portland still up 44-0.

Just a few plays later Getchell would break free for a 22-yard touchdown run. Roof connected with the PAT and Portland was ahead 51-0

The remainder of the game moved pretty quickly with the MHSAA running clock rule in effect. Charlotte was able to put together a little drive offensively and had themselves in a first and 10 on Portland 35, but that drive came to and end when an Oriole fumble was recovered by the Raiders.

The final minutes would tick away and Portland ended up with a 51-0 victory.

Portland Rushing Summary

Jordan Selby 8 for 97 1 TD

Blake Meyers 6 for 36

Gavin McGregor 3 for 18 1 TD

Haden Getchell 9 for 83 2 TD's

Michael Gross 4 for 6

Jace Gillette 2 for 10

Zach Schrauben 1 for -4

Portland Passing Summary

Owen Russell 6 for 8 for 108 3 TD's

Portland Receiving Summary

David Svanda 2 for 37 2 TD's

Trent Meyers 2 for 23 1TD

Haden Getchell 1 for 25

Blake Meyers 1 for 17

Portland Tackles

Carson Frewen 7 Tackles 1INT

Kobe Kazamer 7 Tackles

Brody Smith 7 Tackles

Jace Gillette 7 Tackles

Paton Russel 3 Tackle 1 INT

Raider head coach Johns Novara said, “Our Defense played great tonight holding them to 166 yards. Offense was able to throw the football successfully, as they loaded up to stop the run. It was a great night, the kids all played hard, and we were able to raise money for our veterans.”

The Raiders are now 4-0 and will travel to CAAC White rival Lansing Catholic next Friday. The Cougars of Lansing Catholic are also 4-0 on the season with decisive wins over Waverly, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Eaton Rapids and Ionia.

Anyone planning on traveling to Lansing Catholic for the game will want to be sure they have some cash on them for potential parking fees imposed by Lansing Catholic.

YOUR AD HERE image 2021.PNG
Michael Culp draft changes 09 29 2023.jpg
Culp Chriropractic.jpg
Wagon Wheel Ad image 01 15 2023.jpg
Senior Community Care Ad Image Updated 02 17 2024.png
Portland Beacon Ad 2-2024.jpg
Cedar Tree Massage ad image.jpg
Portland Family Dental Ad Image.png
bottom of page