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James Townsend

Portland Football tops Sexton 42-8 to advance in Playoffs



On Friday night, the Portland High School football team hosted the J-Dubbs of Lansing Sexton in the first round of the 2024 MHSAA playoffs.  It was the second meeting of the teams this season, the first being a 33-0 Portland win at Sexton back on October 18th.

 

The Raiders pick up an early lead when junior Nolan Zbytowski returned the opening kickoff 80-yards for a Portland touchdown.  Junior kicker Leo Wagner’s extra point was good.

 

In the next Portland possession, the Raiders found the endzone again when junior running back Kayden Dickerson scored on a one-yard TD run.  Wagner’s extra point gave the Raiders a 14-0 lead. 

 

The Raiders would find the endzone a third time in the first quarter when senior quarterback Dominic Novara connected with senior receiver Christoper Battley for a 19-yard touchdown pass.  Wagner connected on his point after attempt giving Portland a 21-0 lead. 

 

In the second quarter of the game, the J-Dubbs scored their only points of the game when senior quarterback Aspen Keyes connected with senior tight end Dequarius Jones for a 67-yard touchdown pass.  Sexton was successful on the two-point conversion on senior Jaelyn Stone’s run.

 

In the third quarter of play, Portland’s Zbytowski picked up his second touchdown of the game, this time on a one-yard touchdown run.  Wagner’s extra point was good. 

 

Later in the third quarter, Novara kept the ball for a 14-yard touchdown run.  Wagner’s extra point was good. 

 

Portland’s final score of the game came in the fourth quarter of the contest when Zbytowski picked up his third touchdown of the night on a one-yard touchdown run.  Wagner’s extra point was good, securing a 42-8 Raider victory. 

 

Portland Rushing Totals:

Kayden Dickerson 23 for 94 with one touchdown

Barret Brennan 1 for 1

Nolan Zbytowski 14 for 59 with three touchdowns

Dominic Novara 3 for 19 with one touchdown

Caden Lockwood 2 for 2

Trevor Smith 1 for 10

 

Portland Passing Totals:

Dominic Novara 5 for 7 for 70 yards with one touchdown

 

Portland Receiving Totals:

Christopher Battley 2 for 56 with one touchdown

Evan Gross 1 for 11

Barrett Brennan 1 for 3

Kayden Dickerson 1 for 0

 

Portland Defensive Totals:

Brad Meyers 7 tackles

AJ Weber 7 tackles

Thomas Perron 2 tackles and 1 blocked punt

Brady Rowe 1 tackle and 2 interceptions

 

Scoring Summary by Quarter:

1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final

Portland 21 – 0 – 14 – 7 – 42

Sexton 0 – 8 – 0 – 0 – 8

 

With the win the Raiders move to 10-0 on the season.  Next week they will host the Saxon’s of Hastings.  The game is set for 7:00 PM Friday at Portland.  Hastings defeated Ionia 35-0 in their first-round game. 

 

The winner of Portland/Hastings will advance to face Edwardsburg or Niles at the regional level.

 

Photo by Renae Goodman.

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