Portland Football tops Charlotte 35-8

On Friday night, the Portland High School football team hosted the Orioles of Charlotte High School for a cold and wet CAAC White conference contest. The game also marked the two teams annual Military Appreciation night.

The Raiders struck first in the first quarter when senior running back Caden Thelen rushed for an eight-yard touchdown run. After a Charlotte penalty, Thelen also scored on a two-point conversion run giving Portland a 8-0 lead.

In the second quarter of play, Portland would score again, this time on a 24-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Dominic Novara to Thelen. Senior kicker Aiden Pulling connected on the extra point and Portland extended their lead to 15-0.

In the third quarter or play, Thelen would find the endzone again, this time on a five-yard touchdown run. Pulling’s kick was good and Portland would lead 22-0.

In the fourth quarter, Thelen ran for a one-yard touchdown run for his third touchdown of the night. Pulling was good on the extra point extending Portland lead to 29-0.

Later in the final quarter, the Orioles would finally put some points on the board when senior receiver Ben Buzzard scored on a four-yard touchdown run. Senior Cutler Brandt was successful on the two point try, and the score moved to Portland 29, Charlotte 8.

Before the clock ran out on this game, Portland’s Thelen would find the endzone one more time. His fourth and final touchdown of the game was on a break away 34-yard run. The Raider extra point was no good, and the score moved to 35-8.

Scoring summary by quarter:

1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final

Portland 8 – 7 – 7 – 13 – 35

Charlotte 0 – 0 – 0 – 8 – 8

Portland Rushing Leaders:

Caden Thelen 21 carries for 149 yards and four touchdowns

Barrett Brennan 6 carries for 27 yards

Connor Thelen 8 carries for 37 yards

Kayden Dickerson 6carries for 26 yards

Conner Kazamer 2 carries for 2 yards

Dominic Novara 3 carries for 17 yards

Brady Rowe 3 carries for 7 yards

Isaac Kramer 1 carry for 3 yards

Portland Passing Totals:

Dominic Novara 3 for 8 for 26 yards 1 TD

Portland Receiving Totals:

Caden Thelen 1 for 24 yards with 1 TD

Kayden Dickerson 1 for -8 yards

Evan Gross 1 for 10 yards

Portland Defensive Leaders:

Kayden Dickerson 9 Tackles

AJ Weber 8 Tackles

Conner Kazamer 2 Interceptions

Chris Battley 1 Interception

With the win, Portland moves to 7-0 overall, 6-0 in the CAAC White.

Next Friday the Raiders travel to Lansing Sexton for a 5:00 PM start. With Sexton also sitting at 7-0 overall, 6-0 in the CAAC White, the contest will determine the outright CAAC White league championship.

Photo be Renea Goodman.