Portland Football Tops Olivet for District Championship

On Friday evening, the Portland High School football team hosted the Eagles of Olivet in the MHSAA Division 5 District 38 Football Championship.

The Raiders struck first in the contest when senior quarterback Haden Getchell sprinted for a 65-yard touchdown run. Senior kicker Madison Luxmore nailed the extra point and the Raiders jumped to a 7-0 lead with 11:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Olivet took over on their own 28, but the Portland defense quickly forced them to punt.

The Raiders would start their next possession on their own 20. The Raider offense put sustained drive together, capped off with a three-yard touchdown run by senior running back Reis Phillips. Luxmore’s point after was good, and the Raiders were up 14-0 with 6:23 left in the first.

The Olivet offense would fumble the ball, and Portland senior Trent Trieweiler recovered the ball at the Olivet 41, but Portland would be forced to punt for the first time of the contest.

The Eagles would start at their own 27. The Olivet offense was able to drive the football deep into Portland territory. With 10:27 left in the second quarter Olivet would cross the goal line when senior quarterback Clay Flower ran it in for a one-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Portland lead was cut to 14-6.

The next Raider possession would start at the Portland 37. Portland would drive the ball deep into Eagle territory and capped the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run by Phillips. Luxmore’s point after gave Portland a 21-6 lead with 6:48 left in the second quarter.

Olivet would waste little time before they scored again. With 4:28 left in the second, Flower connected with senior running back Dalton Tobias for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles were successful on the two-point conversion and the score moved to 21-14.

Olivet would threaten again before the halftime break, but Portland’s senior Ethan Patrick would pick off Flower’s pass.

The teams would go to the halftime break with Portland still leading 21-14.

As the third quarter of play began, Olivet would receive the kick and get to work at their own 49. The Eagles were able to burn a great deal of clock as they drove the ball deep into Raider territory. With only 2:05 left in the third, Flower connected with sophomore receiver Bo Lincoln on a 20-yard TD pass. The extra point by senior Tyler Latunski was good, and both teams were tied at 21.

The Raiders would start their next possession at their own 25. With 9:49 remaining in the quarter, Portland would regain the lead when senior running back Caden Galey ran it in for a seven-yard touchdown run. Luxmore’s point after was good and Portland took a 28-21 lead.

The Raider defense pushed Olivet into a 4th and nine situation at the Olivet 32. The Eagles would try a fake punt, but the Raiders stopped the fake and Portland took over at the Olivet 18 after an Olivet penalty.

Portland’s Phillips would run it in for a nine-yard touchdown run. Luxmore’s extra point was good, and Portland would extend their lead to 35-21 with 5:50 left in the game.

The Eagle offense would find some momentum as they started on their own 35 with 5:44 left in the game. Flower woud find the endzone on a 15-yard touchdown run. Latunski’s extra point was good, and the score moved to Portland 35, Olivet 28, with 4:10 left on the clock.

The Raider offense struggled to move the ball and was forced to punt.

Olivet would take over on their own 48 with only 3:03 left in the game. With the Raider faithful on the edge of their seats, the Eagles would once again gain some momentum. That was until Portland senior Trent Meyers picked off Flower’s pass at the Raider five-yard line. The interception would essentially secure the Portland victory.

The Raiders started at their own five with only 2:30 left on the clock. A clutch first down run by Phillips allowed Portland to take a knee to run out the clock, and Portland secured their 35-28 win, and a district championship.

You can find Portland coach John Novara’s post game comments with the media in the video below.

Scoring by quarter:

1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final

Portland 14 - 7 - 0 - 14 = 35

Olivet 0 - 14 - 7 - 7 = 28

Portland Rushing Totals:

Haden Getchell 17 for 122, 1 TD

Reis Phillips 15 for 132, 3 TD's

Caden Galey 7 for 52, 1 TD

Drew Miller 3 for 2

Portland Passing Totals:

Haden Getchell 3 for 7 for 42 yards

Portland Receiving Totals:

Aiden Marowelli 1 for 14

Ethan Patrick 1 for 6

Drew Miller 1 for 22

Portland Defensive Totals:

Dalton Becker 13 tackles

Branson Goodman 9 tackles

Reis Phillips 9 tackles

Ethan Patrick 5 tackles and 1 interception

Trent Meyers 5 tackles and 1 interception

Portland advanced to the regional round where they will face Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep. The Irish of Hackett are 8-3 on the season. Here is a look Hackett’s regular season and play-off results from MHSAA.com.

The Raiders will have homefield advantage, but at the time of this posting the game time and date is not yet available.