Portland football season comes to an end in Regional Finals
The Portland High School football team traveled to Niles on Friday night to face the Vikings in the MHSAA Regional Finals. The exciting contest saw multiple lead changes and the Raiders held the lead for much of the fourth quarter, but when the clock ran out, Niles secured a 37-34 win.
Niles jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter of play and scored 14 more points in the second quarter, but the Raiders scored 21 points in the second quarter which let the two teams to enter the half time break tied at 21-21.
In the third quarter, Niles added eight more points, while the Raiders added seven more points, setting the score at the end of the third to Niles 29, Portland 28.
The Raiders took a 34-29 lead early in the fourth quarter of play, but in the closing minutes Niles scored one more touchdown and converted a two-point conversion to take a 37-34 lead. Portland had one last chance to retake the lead in the closing seconds of the game, but were unable to score.
Niles won the contest 37-34.
Portland senior standout quarterback Dominic Novara was not able to compete in the game due to an injury sustained in practice during the week. Junior quarterback Ethan Cassel stepped into the starting quarterback role and had an impressive performance. Cassel went 10 for 14 passing for 136 yards and three touchdowns. He also picked up one rushing touchdown.
Portland Rushing Totals:
Kayden Dickerson 20 carries for 91 yards.
Nolan Zbytowski 10 carries for 49 yards.
Portland Receiving Totals:
Christopher Battley three receptions for 64 with two touchdowns.
Evan Gross four receptions for 51 yards.
Nolan Zbytowski two receptions for 16 yards with one touchdown.
Portland Special Teams:
Brady Rowe 187 kick return yards and one touchdown.
Leo Wagner four of four for extra points.
Portland Defense Totals:
AJ Weber 10 tackles
Keaton McGregor eight tackles.
Brad Meyers eight tackles and one interception.
Christopher Battley six tackles.
Kayden Dickerson six tackles.
Brady Rowe six tackles.
Barrett Spitzley five tackles.
Barrett Brennan four tackles.
Scoring summary by quarter:
1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final
Portland 0 – 21 – 7 – 6 – 34
Niles 7 – 14 – 8 – 8 – 37
The Raiders finished their season with a final record of 11-1, and secured District and CAAC White Championships.
Niles advances to the semi-finals where they will face Grand Rapids South Christian. The winner of that game will face the winner of Goodrich and Harper Woods in the state championship at Ford Field on November 29th.
Photo by Renae Goodman.
