Raiders top GR South Christian in Overtime Thriller

James Townsend
Nov 3
3 min read

The Portland High School varsity football team hosted the Sailors of Grand Rapids South Christian on Friday night for the semi-final round of the MHSAA football playoff districts. The dry and crisp Halloween night proved a perfect backdrop for a thrilling overtime playoff football game.

Neither team would find the endzone in the first quarter of play.

In the second quarter of play, Portland senior quarterback Ethan Cassel scored the Raiders first points on a quarterback keeper. Senior kicker Leo Wagner connected on his extra point. Later in the second, senior running back Nolan Zbytowski caught a pass from Cassel for Portland second touchdown of the game. Wagner’s extra-point was good.

The Sailors were able to score 21 points in the second quarter and the quarter ended with GRSC leading 21-14.

The Raiders only points of the third quarter came on a rushing touchdown by Zbytowski with 5:52 remaining in the quarter. The Sailors would score twice in the third and extend their lead to 35-21.

In the fourth quarter, Portland senior running back Brad Meyers broke free for a rushing touchdown. Wagner’s extra point was good.

With about a minute left in regulation, the Sailors were leading Portland 35-27. Portland dug deep and moved the ball deep into GRSC territory. With just 15 seconds left, Zbytowski punched it in for another rushing touchdown closing the Sailor lead to just two points. To try and tie the game, the Raiders went for the two-point conversion. Cassel’s pass to Zbytowski in the endzone was good, and the Raiders tied the score up at 35-35.

In overtime, the Sailors got the ball first and were able to score, going up 41-35. GRSC opted to attempt a kick for their one extra point, but the Raider defense came up huge stop when Meyers blocked the kick.

When Portland got their chance to have the ball in overtime, senior running back Kayden Dickerson rushed it in for his first points of the night, and the score sat tied 41-41.

As Wagner lined up to take the winning extra point for Portland, GRSC took a time out to try and ice him. After the timeout, Wagner lined up… and nailed the extra point… giving the Raiders a thrilling 42-41 overtime win.

You can see video below of Wagner’s game winning extra point.

Portland Rushing totals:

Player Att Yds TD Lng

2 Kayden Dickerson 21 97 1 19

6 Trevor Smith 2 8 0 6

12 Brady Rowe 4 46 0 18

44 Brad Meyers 7 39 1 10

20 Nolan Zbytowski 16 78 2 18

4 Ethan Cassel 2 5 1 5

11 Kehyan Page 1 8 0 8

Portland Passing totals:

Player Att Comp Yds TD

4 Ethan Cassel 9 6 123 1

2 Kayden Dickerson 1 1 37 0

Portland Receiving totals:

Player Rec Yds TD Lng

3 Max Sandborn 2 22 0 14

20 Nolan Zbytowski 1 79 1 79

2 Kayden Dickerson 1 -7 0 7

12 Brady Rowe 3 66 0 37

Meyers led the Raider defense with 10 tackles, one pass break up, and one blocked kick. Dickerson had nine tackles. Senior Carter White had six tackles and one pass break up. Zbytowski and senior Sawyer Goodman each had five tackles. Senior Max Sandborn, junior Deacon Townsend, and Junior Isaiah Bower each had three tackles. Senior Gunnar Williams and senior Brady Rowe each had two tackles and a pass break up. Wagner and Senior Trevor Smith each had two tackles. Senior Wyatt Noot, junior Owen Galey, and senior Caled Densmore each had one tackle for the Raiders.

You can watch Portland head coach John Novara’s post-game comments at the link below.