Portland Football tops Sexton 42-8 to advance in Playoffs
On Friday night, the Portland High School football team hosted the J-Dubbs of Lansing Sexton in the first round of the 2024 MHSAA playoffs. It was the second meeting of the teams this season, the first being a 33-0 Portland win at Sexton back on October 18th.
The Raiders pick up an early lead when junior Nolan Zbytowski returned the opening kickoff 80-yards for a Portland touchdown. Junior kicker Leo Wagner’s extra point was good.
In the next Portland possession, the Raiders found the endzone again when junior running back Kayden Dickerson scored on a one-yard TD run. Wagner’s extra point gave the Raiders a 14-0 lead.
The Raiders would find the endzone a third time in the first quarter when senior quarterback Dominic Novara connected with senior receiver Christoper Battley for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Wagner connected on his point after attempt giving Portland a 21-0 lead.
In the second quarter of the game, the J-Dubbs scored their only points of the game when senior quarterback Aspen Keyes connected with senior tight end Dequarius Jones for a 67-yard touchdown pass. Sexton was successful on the two-point conversion on senior Jaelyn Stone’s run.
In the third quarter of play, Portland’s Zbytowski picked up his second touchdown of the game, this time on a one-yard touchdown run. Wagner’s extra point was good.
Later in the third quarter, Novara kept the ball for a 14-yard touchdown run. Wagner’s extra point was good.
Portland’s final score of the game came in the fourth quarter of the contest when Zbytowski picked up his third touchdown of the night on a one-yard touchdown run. Wagner’s extra point was good, securing a 42-8 Raider victory.
Portland Rushing Totals:
Kayden Dickerson 23 for 94 with one touchdown
Barret Brennan 1 for 1
Nolan Zbytowski 14 for 59 with three touchdowns
Dominic Novara 3 for 19 with one touchdown
Caden Lockwood 2 for 2
Trevor Smith 1 for 10
Portland Passing Totals:
Dominic Novara 5 for 7 for 70 yards with one touchdown
Portland Receiving Totals:
Christopher Battley 2 for 56 with one touchdown
Evan Gross 1 for 11
Barrett Brennan 1 for 3
Kayden Dickerson 1 for 0
Portland Defensive Totals:
Brad Meyers 7 tackles
AJ Weber 7 tackles
Thomas Perron 2 tackles and 1 blocked punt
Brady Rowe 1 tackle and 2 interceptions
Scoring Summary by Quarter:
1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final
Portland 21 – 0 – 14 – 7 – 42
Sexton 0 – 8 – 0 – 0 – 8
With the win the Raiders move to 10-0 on the season. Next week they will host the Saxon’s of Hastings. The game is set for 7:00 PM Friday at Portland. Hastings defeated Ionia 35-0 in their first-round game.
The winner of Portland/Hastings will advance to face Edwardsburg or Niles at the regional level.
Photo by Renae Goodman.
