Raider football tops Sexton to advance to District Finals

The Portland High School football team hosted Lansing Sexton on Friday night for the first round of the MHSAA football playoffs.

This was the two teams second meeting of the year, with Portland winning 41-0 on October 13th at Sexton to win the CAAC White championship.

In the rematch, Sexton came out of the gate strong. In the first quarter of play Sexton would strike first with a five-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Joseph Pizzo. The J-Dubbs would go for a two-point conversion after the score but failed to convert.

In the second quarter of play, the Raiders would even the score when senior running back Caden Thelen scored on a 17-yard touchdown run. Portland’s extra point was no good.

The teams went to halftime with a tied contest.

In the third quarter, Caden Thelen would score again, this time on a six-yard touchdown run. Senior kicker Aiden Pulling connected on the extra point, giving Portland a 13-6 lead.

Caden Thelen got his third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. This time an 86-yard touchdown run. Pulling connected on the extra point extending Portland’s lead to 20-6.

Late in the fourth, the Raiders would score one more time when sophomore running back Brody Moore punched one in from two yards out. Pulling made good on the point after giving the Raiders a 27-6 lead.

The Raiders won the contest 27-6.

Portland Rushing Totals

Caden Thelen 29 for 218, 3 TD's

Barret Brennan 4 for 21

Dom Novara 2 for 11

Conner Kazamer 2 for 9

Brody Moore 3 for 9 1 TD

Caden Lockwood 1 for 2

Mason McGregor 1 for 3

Portland Defensive Totals

Mark Meyers 8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Reice Thelen 7 tackles

Barret Brennan 7 tackles

AJ Weber 7 tackles

Tyler Smith 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception

You can hear Portland head coach John Novara's post game comments in the video below.

You can watch the Raider players celebrate the victory with the band and student section in the video below.

The Raiders improve to 10-0 on the season. Next week they will travel to Hastings to face the Saxons in the district finals.

Hastings is 8-2. They finished their regular season as Interstate 8 Athletic Conference champs and defeated Charlotte 30-28 in their playoff opener.

The winner of Portland and Hastings will advance to the regional round where they will face the winner of Paw Paw and Niles.