Raiders top Lakewood to move to 5-0

The Portland High School football team hosted Lakewood on September 26^th for Portland’s Homecoming 2025.  The Raiders picked up a decisive 35-0 win in the CAAC White match-up. 

Portland senior running backs Nolan Zbytowski and Kayden Dickerson each had two rushing touchdowns in the game, and senior quarterback Ethan Cassel connected with senior receiver Brady Rowe for one passing touchdown.  Senior kicker Leo Wagner was a perfect five for five on extra points.

Zbytowski finished the game with 11 carries and 125 yards.  Dickerson had six carries and 116 yards.   Junior Carson Spenski tallied 36 yards on four carries.  Junior Tanner Darunday had four carries and 24 yards. 

The Raider defense held the Vikings scoreless in the game.  Senior linebacker Brad Meyers led the Portland defense with eight tackles.  Junior linebacker Liam Wolfe and senior defensive end Gunnar Williams each had five tackles for the Raiders.  Junior defensive back Deacon Townsend had two interceptions and two tackles. 

After the game, when asked about how he thought his team performed, Portland head coach John Novara said, “We had too many penalties.  That was the biggest take away from this.  I thought we played well, we played aggressive, but we need to cut down on the mistakes and penalties.  We are pushing for something further beyond this and we need to play cleaner football.  We got saved a couple times by this guy who picked the ball off twice, so I am proud of him.  He played well tonight.  We just have to clean up some of our things.  Our kids played hard and aggressive and we just have to keep pushing forward every week and get a little bit better.”

After the game, both the Lakewood and Portland teams gathered together near the 50-yard line.  When asked about this, Novara said, “Their coach has a ton of respect for our program.  I have a ton of respect for their coach and what he is trying to build in that program. It is a mutual respect between us and them.  His program is up and coming, and in time they are going to be a very good football team.  He supports our kids and he likes the way we play, and he says we want to strive to be like you guys.  That is appreciated.  I like good quality people and he seems like a great quality man.”

With the win the Raiders improve to 5-0 overall, and 4-0 in the CAAC White.  Over five weeks the Raider defense has held opponents to a combined 18 points, while the offense has scored 149 total points.

Up next the Raiders host Lansing Catholic on Friday October 3^rd.  The Cougars are currently 1-4 overall, and 1-3 in the CAAC White.

With the loss to Portland, Lakewood moves to 2-3 overall, 1-2 in the CAAC White.