Raiders secure district title with 28-0 win over Grand Rapids Christian

The Portland High School varsity football team hosted Grand Rapids Christian on Friday night to decide who would take home the district 27 championship title.  Explosive offense and a dominate defensive performance allowed the Raiders to pick up a 28-0 win.

The shut out would be Portland defenses third of the season. 

The Raiders picked up their first points of the game on their very first possession when senior quarterback Ethan Cassel rushed it in for a touchdown with 8:46 remaining in the first.  Senior kicker Leo Wagner connected on the point after giving the Raiders an early 7-0 lead.

Portland would score again ne their very next possession, this time on a run by senior running back Nolan Zbytowski with 5:25 remaining in the first.  Wagners extra point extended the lead to 14-0.

The Raiders first score of the second quarter came on a rush by senior running back Brad Meyers with 7:59 remaining in the second quarter.  Wagner’s kick was good and Portland had a 21-0 lead.

Portland’s final points of the night came with 0:43 remaining in the second quarter when Zbytowski picked up his second rushing TD of the night.  Wagner’s extra point was good and Raiders had a 28-0 lead.

Zbytowski finished the games with 14 carries, 134 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, along with four catches for 54 receiving yards.  Senior running back Kayden Dickerson had nine carries for 88 yards.  Meyers finished with seven carries, 42 yards and one touchdown.  Senior Trevor Smith and junior Carson Spenski each had 22 rushing yards.  Junior Tanner Darunday finished with four carries and 10 yards. 

In addition to his rushing touchdown, Cassel finished four for seven passing for 54 yards. 

Grand Rapids Christian would collect 138 total rushing yards, and 116 passing yards, but were kept out of the endzone.

Senior defensive back Max Sandborn led the Raider defense with seven tackles, and an interception with a 33-yard return.  Dickerson added seven tackles.  Meyers had five tackles.  Senior Gunnar Williams had four tackles.  Senior Caleb Densmore four tackles and two pass breakups.  Senior Brady Rowe had three tackles.  Junior Deacon Townsend had three tackles and intercepted a ball in the endzone.  Senior Carter White had three tackles and one pass breakup.  Senior Sawyer Goodman and junior Ethan Babcock each had three tackles

You can find some of head coach John Novara’s post game comments below.  Sorry I missed the first part.

Below is a video of Novara receiving the district trophy and his team celebrating.

The Raiders now advance to face Vicksburg on Saturday at 3:00 for the Regional Championship.  The Bulldogs are 7-4 and defeated Three Rivers 21-17 in their district finals.

In the other Division 4 regionals, Big Rapids will face Hudsonville Unity Christian, Williamston faces Goodrich, and Dearborn Divine Child faces Harper Woods.