Portland Football Falls in State Semi-Finals

On Saturday afternoon, the Portland Raider football squad traveled to Novi High School to face the Mariners of Marine City in the MHSAA Division 5 state semi-finals. Portland entered the game with a 10-2 record after defeating Kalamazoo United 21-0 in the regional finals. Marine City came into the game a perfect 12-0 on the season after defeating Corunna 21-14

The first half of the game was heavily controlled by the Mariners. Marine City scored first on a 38-yard touchdown pass with 8:37 remaining in the first, and connected on the extra point. Marine City would score one more time in the first quarter, this time on an eight-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds left in the quarter.

With 7:48 remaining in the second quarter, the Mariners would pick up their third and final score of the first half when they returned a Portland fumble for a touchdown.

The Raider offense found some traction late in the second quarter. After starting at their own 35 with 7:46 on the clock, the Raiders would drive the length of the field, and reach the endzone on a three-yard run by senior running back Caden Galey with 5:06 left in the quarter. Senior kicker Madison Luxmore’s extra point was good, and the score would stand at Marine City 21, Portland 7.

In the third quarter of play, the Mariners would reach the endzone once again, this time on a 57-yard touchdown run with 2:16 left in the quarter. The point after failed and the Mariner lead moved to 27-7.

In the final quarter of the game, the Raider offense would push into the Marine City red zone, but was unable to score.

Marine City would be able to run out the clock and secure a 27-7 win.

Scoring Summary by Quarter:

1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final

Marine City 14 – 7 – 6 – 0 – 27

Portland 0 – 7 – 0 – 0 – 7

Marine City advances to the Division 5 Championship at Ford Field on Saturday, November 27th, where they will face Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Catholic Central defeated Frankenmuth 35-0 in their semi-final.

The Raiders finish the season 10 and 3. You can find their full season summary below.