By BUTCH HARMON
After winning the Division 5 state title last season, the question around Portland this summer has been “what can the Raiders do for an encore?”
The Raiders experienced a season for the ages last fall, as they followed up a strong regular season by advancing to the Division 5 state title game, where they defeated Grand Rapids West Catholic 12-9.
With the taste of winning fresh in their mouths, Portland football fans are anxious for more this fall. Football fever has taken over Portland, not just in the high school but also in the elementary schools and the middle school.
“The biggest thing is that from the JV level down to fourth grade, all the kids are super excited,” Portland coach John Novara said. “We had a camp this summer, and over 100 kids came. Our younger kids are excited about football. The older kids are feeling the pressure and the expectations from the community to have a successful season again this fall.”
If the Raiders are to make another run to Ford Field, it will be behind an experienced offense and a rebuilt defense.
On offense, the Raiders return seven starters, although the offense suffered a blow over the summer when returning quarterback Tanner Allison, a Western Michigan University baseball recruit, had season-ending shoulder surgery.
Without Allison, the Raiders have spent the fall camp grooming a pair of young quarterbacks to take over the reigns. Junior Clay Morris (6’0″, 170 pounds) and sophomore Mark Brooks (6’6″, 230 pounds) both have strong arms and have very good accuracy.
Having a quarterback who can get the ball down the field is essential for the Raiders, who return wide receiver Austin Brandt (6’0″, 180). Brandt totaled 195 yards receiving in last year’s state title game, the fifth-highest total in state finals history.
The Raiders also have a pair of talented running backs. Jacob Kimmell (6’0″, 180) rushed for over 1,500 yards last season, while Sam Goodman (6’2″, 210) added over 800 yards.
Up front, Portland has a trio of returning starters. Seniors Hunter Scott (6’4″, 200) and Zack Gustafson (6’5″, 220) both started at tackle last season but are moving inside to guard this fall. Senior center Jacob Fox (5’10”, 180) also returns. Senior Spencer Palmer (6’5″, 240) has the inside track at one of the open tackle spots, with a pair of players challenging for the other spot.
“We’re excited about our offense,” Novara said. “We really like our set of running backs. We have five different kids who can carry the ball and do a good job. I think our offensive line will gel; the big question mark is how our young quarterbacks step up.”
Another big key is how the defense develops. Portland lost 10 starters from last year’s defense. The lone returning starter is Gustafson at defensive end.
“Zack is a heck of a football player,” Novara said. “He goes both ways for us and is one of the better defensive players in the area.”
While only one starter returns, the Raider defense does have several players who gained starting experience last year. JD Kerr started five games at cornerback, while Andrew Quick and Goodman both saw plenty of playing time at inside linebacker last year.
“We have some size on defense, but we have a lot of inexperience, too,” Novara said. “We just have to keep getting better and better every week. I think once the season rolls around, we will be better and better; we just have to grow up fast.”
Overall, Novara and his team are focusing on the job in front of them instead of returning to the state finals.
“The big thing is to focus on one game and one play at a time,” Novara said. “We have to keep working hard and focus on the short term and the long term will work itself out. We want to compete for a league championship, and I think we have a reasonable shot at a district title.”