Raiders Top Olivet 35-0

On Friday afternoon, the Portland Raider varsity football squad traveled to Olivet for what was one of the most anticipated games in the Lansing area for week three of the high school football season.  The Raiders entered the game ranked 4^th in the state in division 4 in the latest Michigan High School Football Coaches Association poll, while Olivet came in ranked 6^th in division 6.  Both teams started the day 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the CAAC White.

The Raiders stepped up to the challenge and secured a 35-0 win.

Olivet kicked off to Portland to start the game and the Raiders wasted little time in getting to work.  After starting at their own 31, Portland would score first on a 69-yard touchdown run by senior running back Kayden Dickerson.  Senior kicker Leo Wagner connected on the point after giving Portland a 7-0 lead with 11:05 remaining in the first.

On Olivet’s first possession they would get to work on their own 29.  The Portland defense would force them to punt.

A few plays later, Olivet would get the ball back when they recovered a Raider fumble on the Olivet 23. 

The Portland defense pushed Olivet into a 4^th and three to go situation, and the Eagles choose to go for it.  Olivet’s pass was blocked and intercepted by Portland senior defensive end Carter White who returned the ball for a 55-yard touchdown.  Wagner’s point after was good giving Portland a 14-0 lead with 37.5 seconds left in the first quarter.

Olivet had a nice kick return and put their offense to work at the Portland 45, and as the game moved into the second quarter of play, the Raider defense once again pushed Olivet into a 4^th down situation.  This time the Eagles connected on a pass for a first down.  A few plays later Portland pushed Olivet into another fourth down, this time fourth and eight at the Portland 18.  The Portland secondary came up huge and knocked down an Olivet pass in the endzone. 

Portland would start their next possession deep in their own territory.  Behind strong offensive line play, Portland’s offense would piece together a long time consuming drive.  The drive was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Ethan Cassel.  Wagner’s extra point was good and Portland extended their lead to 21-0 with 3:06 remaining in the second quarter.

Wagner put the ensuing kick off into the endzone and Olivet started on their own 20, and Portland’s defense quickly forced them to punt. 

The Raider offense would get back to work from their own 48 with just over a minute left in the quarter.  Cassel would connect with senior receiver Max Sandborn for a big gain to move Portland to the Olivet 22.  Moments later Portland would find the endzone again, this time on a three-yard run by Dickerson.  Wagner connected on the point after and Portland would have a 28-0 lead with 35.8 second left until halftime. 

The Eagle offense showed some momentum on their next possession and quickly moved the ball into Raider territory, but the first half came to an end as an Olivet pass fell incomplete in the endzone. 

The third quarter started with a running clock under MHSAA rules, and Olivet receiving the ball.  They went to work on their own 25.  The dominant Portland defense would quickly force the to punt. 

A short Olivet punt would put Portland’s offense back on the field at mid-field.  The Raiders then found the endzone again, this time on a 13-yard run by Dickerson.  Wagner’s extra point was good and Portland had a 35-0 lead with 8:02 remaining in the third. 

The remainder of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter moved quickly with the running clock, and neither side would score again.  When the game ended, Portland had a 35-0 win.

Portland rushing totals:

Player                                          Att         Yds        TD         Lng

2 Kayden Dickerson                   10          137       3            68

44 Brad Meyers                           6            67          0            29

20 Nolan Zbytowski                   4            22          0            9

4 Ethan Cassel                            3            34          1            32

6 Trevor Smith                              4            40          0            17

23 Deacon Townsend               2            15          0            8

24 Tanner Darunday                  3            16          0            9

Portland passing totals:

Player                               Att         Comp   Yds        TD

4 Ethan Cassel               3            3            47          0

35 Carson Simon          1            0            0            0

Portland receiving totals:

Player                               Rec       Yds        TD         Lng

12 Brady Roe                 1            12          0            12

3 Max Sandborn           2            35          0            30

Other week three CAAC White results:

Charlotte 17, Lakewood 13

Eaton Rapids 33, Ionia 30

Lansing Sexton 40, Lansing Catholic 25

Current CAAC White Standings:

Team                                              W-L (Conference)            W-L (Overall)

Portland                                         2-0                                      3-0

Charlotte                                        2-0                                      2-1

Olivet                                             1-1                                      2-1

Eaton Rapids                                 1-1                                      1-2

Lansing Sexton                              1-1                                     1-2

Lake Odessa Lakewood               0-1                                      1-2

Ionia                                               0-1                                      0-3

Lansing Catholic                           0-2                                      0-3

Portland returns home next week for the beginning of a three-game home stand.  They will host Ionia on 9/19, Lakewood on 9/26, and Lansing Catholic on 10/3.