Lansing Catholic at Football – – Football – – The Bleacher Denizen – – October 3, 2025 – – by Chuck Krafft

Today, your Bleacher Denizen is off to Portland High to watch as the hometown Raiders host the Cougars from Lansing Catholic. Portland enters this game undefeated at 5-0 while Lansing Catholic has a 1-4 record.

Your Bleacher Denizen drove to Portland and got his seat in the press box. It was great to see that Dave Pettit was there to provide his dulcet tones as the Portland Announcer!! Portland’s Band played the Raider fight song and then performed the National Anthem. They did a fine job on both tunes!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the occasionally observant eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who never had much of a football career. My career as an offensive lineman was doomed the time I looked at the massive defensive lineman across from me. Self-preservation took over and I started shouting “run away” and darting away from the line as fast as possible. After the quarterback was brutally sacked, I learned that football coaches frown on this approach to blocking and my playing time dropped severely.
(Apologies to Monty Python for borrowing from one of their skits in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” I hope they don’t get upset with me and make me do “The Fish Slapping Dance.”)

Catholic won the coin toss, but deferred their decision to the second half, so Portland elected to receive the opening kickoff. Gavin Rabideau kicked the ball into the Portland end zone, so the Raiders started their opening drive on their own 20 yard line.

Gary Tackett stopped Portland’s first down run for a one yard gain. On the next play, Kayden Dickerson went to the middle and cut to the right. After he received a great block from Kehyan Page near the fifty yard line, he got all the way to the end zone for a seventy-nine yard touchdown. The extra point kick was no good, so Portland had a 6-0 lead with 11:11 to play in the opening quarter.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Cougar 6 yard line where Leland VanAlstine grabbed it and returned it thirteen yards before Alex Atwell pulled him down. Catholic started its drive on its own 19 yard line.

Issac Gallegos tossed a pass to Leland VanAlstine for a four yard gain; Nolan Zbytowski and Caleb Densmore collaborated on the Raider tackle. Nolan Zbytowski’s timely hit caused the Catholic second down pass to fall incomplete. The third down pass was tipped by one of the Raider defensive lineman and fell incomplete. On fourth down, Gavin Rabideau punted the ball to the Portland 35 yard line where Brady Rowe caught it and returned it six yards before he ran into Noah Jungwirth.

Portland had a first down on its own 41 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski took the ball to the left on first down and gained six yards before Noah Jungwirth tackled him. On the next play, Kayden Dickerson took the ball to the left and gained 36 yards before Gary Tackett tackled him.

On the next play, Brad Meyers took the ball through the middle for an eleven yard touchdown run. Kayden Dickerson ran for a successful two point conversion. With 8:36 left in the opening quarter, Portland had a 14-0 lead.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Catholic 8 yar line where Leland VanAlstine caught it and returned it eleven yards before Liam Wolfe and Gavin Werner stopped him. Catholic had a first down on its own 19 yard line.

Issac Gallegos tossed a pass to Kai Mishler for a seven yard first down gain. Brad Meyers got the stop for the Raiders. Carter White knocked the Cougar second down pass out of the air. Carter White and Caleb Densmore teamed up to sack the Catholic quarterback for an eight yard third down loss. Gavin Rabideau punted to the Portland 40 yard line. Brady Rowe caught the punt and gained a few yards before Elijah Jungwirth tackled him.

After a penalty was assessed, the Raiders started their series on their own 40 yard line. A pass interference penalty on the next play moved the Raiders to the Cougar 45 yard line.

Joaquin Rodriguez covered for Catholic on Portland’s incomplete first down pass. Kayden Dickerson’s second down run was good for eleven yards and a first down.

On the next play, Nolan Zbytowski ran for what appeared to be a touchdown, but a facemask penalty on Catholic brought the ball out to the 4 yard line. Nolan Zbytowski ran up the left tackle on the next play for a four yard touchdown. Evan Pung made the long snap, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner booted the ball through the uprights for the successful extra point. With 5:25 remaining in the first quarter, Portland had a 21-0 lead.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball to the Catholic 3 yard line where Leland VanAlstine fielded it and returned it nineteen yards before Tanner Darunday tackled him. Catholic started its series on its own 22 yard line.

On first down, Caleb Densmore tipped the pass back to the Cougar quarterback and then tackled him for a two yard loss. Kayden Dickerson stopped the second down run up left tackle for a one yard gain. Joaquin Rodriguez made a great diving grab of Isaac Gallegos’ third down pass for an eight yard gain. Brady Howe covered for the Raiders on the incomplete fourth down pass.

Portland took over the ball on downs on the Catholic 29 yard line. Ethan Cassel tossed a screen pass to Kayden Dickerson, who looked like O.J. Simpson in the old rent a car commercials. (O.J. Simpson, before his reputation was tarnished by the murder case did a lot of rental car commercials where he leaped over counters while dressed in a suit and tie to make some point that I never completely understood.) Anyway, Kayden Dickerson jumped completely over at least two Catholic tacklers on his way to an apparent touchdown.

Your aging Bleacher Denizen was not able to discern why, but instead of a touchdown, Portland was given the ball on the Catholic 34 yard line. A delay of game penalty pushed Portland back five yards.

Nolan Zbytowski took a pitch to the right and gained ten first down yards before Noah Jungwirth tackled him. Nolan Zybtowski took a second down pitch to the right and gained six yards before Gary Tackett stopped him. On the next play, Nolan Zybtowski took a pitch to the right for a twenty-three yard touchdown run.

Evan Pung snapped the ball, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner kicked the successful extra point to give Portland a 28-0 lead with 42 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Catholic 5 yard line where Leland VanAlstine grabbed it and ran to the left for a forty yard gain. Catholic started its series on its own 45 yard line.

On the final play of the first quarter, Tristan Pohl stopped Catholic’s first down run for a three yard loss.

Portland had a 28-0 lead after one quarter. Catholic had the ball. It was second down with thirteen yards to go on their own 42 yard line.

Isaac Gallegos alertly jumped on a second down fumble to prevent a Cougar turnover. Catholic lost four yards on the play. Isaac Gallegos tossed a third down pass to Joaquin Rodriguez for a six yard gain. Gavin Rabideau’s fourth down punt was caught by Brady Rowe on the Raider 25 yard line. He made a nice gain, but a penalty moved the ball back to the Raider 13 yard line where Portland started its next series.

Kayden Dickerson took the ball into the middle and gained five yards before Noah Jungwirth took him down. Ethan Cassel tossed a second down pass to Brady Rowe, who survived a few tackling attempts on his way to a thirty-nine yard gain. Portland had a first down in Catholic territory on the 39 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson took the ball to the left for a seven yard first down gain. Andy McClorey made the Cougar tackle. Portland ran a bunch of fakes on the next play. They even faked out your Bleacher Denizen, but I finally saw that Brad Meyers had the ball and the Raiders gained 32 yards on the play to give them a first down on the Catholic 4 yard line.

On the next play, Trevor Smith took the ball into the end zone for a four yard touchdown. A broken play resulted in a failed extra point. With 8:04 remaining in the first half, Portland had a 34-0 lead.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Cougar 10 yard line where Leland VanAlstine snared it and gained six yards before he ran into Zach Stanton. Catholic started its series on its own 16 yard line.

Brady Rowe knocked the Cougar first down pass out of the air. On second down, Carter White pressured the Cougar Quarterback into throwing and incomplete pass. Isaac Gallegos completed a third down pass to Joaquin Rodriguez for a seven yard gain. Nolan Zbytowski made the tackle for Portland. On fourth down, Isaac Gallegos took the ball to the left for a four yard gain and a first down. Gunnar Williams got the stop for the Raiders.

Gunnar Williams broke up Catholic’s first down pass. Gunnar Williams and Tristan Pohl chased the Cougar quarterback out of the pocket on second down and tackled him for an eight yard loss. A delay of game penalty pushed the Cougars back five more yards. On the next play, Deacon Townsend intercepted a pass near the Cougar 40 yard line and returned the ball about thirty-one yards before Isaac Gallegos forced him out of bounds. Portland had a first down on the Catholic 9 yard line.

Trevor Smith gained six yards on first down before Andy McClorey took him down. On the next play, Carson Spenski ran for a three yard touchdown. Evan Pung made the long snap, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner kicked it through the goal posts to give the Raiders a 41-0 lead with 5:02 left on the second quarter clock.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Cougar ten yard line where Kai Mishler caught it and gained eighteen yards before Gavin Werner and Alex Atwell teamed up to stop him.

Brad Meyers covered for the Raiders on the Cougars’ incomplete first down pass. Liam Wolfe and Ethan Babcock covered on the second down incomplete pass. Kai Mishler took the ball to the left and gained two yards on third down before he ran into Gunnar Williams. Gavin Rabideau punted on fourth down. Gary Tackett downed the ball on the Raider 32 yard line, where Portland began its next series.

Carson Spenski took the ball up left tackle and gained three yards before Noah Jungwirth shut him down. Carson Spenski earned two second down yards up the middle before Connor Thomson stopped him. Carson Spenski passed to Wyatt Noot on the left side; he gained fifteen yards. Adam Molnar made the tackle for Catholic.

Tanner Darunday took the ball up the middle and gained seven yards before Jayce Campbell tackled him. Trevor Smith’s second down run up the middle was good for four yards and another first down before Andy McClorey halted his progress.

On the next play, Tanner Darunday took the ball up the middle. Kai Mishler got the tackle for Catholic.

Trevor Smith ran on the next play; he fumbled, but recovered it; Portland had a first down on the Catholic 9 yard line.

Kai Mishler stopped the Raider first down run for a two yard gain. With three seconds left, Portland attempted a twenty-four yard field goal, but Catholic was able to block it. (Your aging Bleacher Denizen apologizes to the Cougar player who made the block.

Portland had a 41-0 halftime lead. I imagine that will be the score at the start of the third quarter.

Portland’s band, directed by Mike Sulecki, entertained at halftime. This year’s drum majors are Evelyn Johnston and Mason Vallier. They played their 2025 halftime show, “Beyond The Stars!” Tonight was band night, so the middle school band members joined the varsity band for the last song of the show. All songs had a space or interplanetary theme.

The first song was the opening music from the film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The second song featured the music of John Williams. The third song featured music from “Star Wars” that was used when Darth Vader was on the screen. Next up was David Bowie’s immortal song about Major Tom, “Space Oddity.” Finally, the guest musicians from the middle school joined the band to play “Rocket Man” by Elton John.

The marching and music was great as always! Portland’s band is always solid!!

Leo Wagner booted the opening kickoff of the second half to the Catholic 20 yard line where Kai Mishler fielded it and gained eight yards before he ran into Gavin Werner. Catholic started its series on its own 28 yard line.

Brad Meyers broke up the Cougar first down pass. Gunnar Williams stopped the Catholic second down run for a two yard loss. Brady Rowe intercepted Catholic’s third down pass and gained about thirty yards before Kai Mishler tackled him on the Catholic 23 yard line.

Tanner Darunday gained thirteen yards on a first down run; Portland had a first down on the Catholic 10 yard line.

Carson Spenski went up left tackle and gained eight yards before Joaquin Rodriguez stopped him. The Catholic line stopped the Portland second down run for a one yard gain. On the next play, Ethan Cassel took the ball on a play that resembled a rugby scrum and slowly pushed the ball into the end zone for a one yard touchdown. Leo Wagner kicked the successful extra point and Portland had a 48-0 lead with 6:42 to play in quarter number three.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Catholic 11 yard line where Leland VanAlstine grabbed it and gained about ten yards before he ran into Wyatt Noot and Jerred Russman. Catholic started its possession on its own 21 yard line.

Trevor Smith stopped the Cougar first down run for a four yard loss. Catholic’s second down pass fell incomplete. Isaac Gallegos completed a fourteen yard pass to Joe Magaswaran to earn a first down.

Leland VanAlstine ran the ball to the left and gained four first down yards before Tristan Pohl tackled him. Kai Mishler took the ball to the left for a fourteen yard second down gain before he ran into Carter Peake. Catholic had a first down on its own 49 yard line.

On the next play, Carson Spenski intercepted a Catholic pass and returned it about twenty yards to the Catholic 41 yard line, where Portland started its next series.

Alex Atwell went to the left and fought off several tackles on hits way to a seven yard gain. Gary Tackett got the tackle for the Cougars. Carson Spenski dragged several tacklers on his way to a five yard second down gain and a first down before Andy McClorey finally stopped him.

The third quarter ended here. Portland had a 48-0 lead. The Raiders also had a first down on the Catholic 29 yard line.

Carson Spenski gained two yards on a run to the left before Blake Paul stopped him. On the next play, Owen Galey burst through the middle for a twenty-seven yard touchdown run. The extra point kick failed.

With about 10:30 left in the game, Portland had a 54-0 lead.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Catholic 10 yard line where Leland VanAlstine caught it and gained about eleven yards before Liam Wolfe tackled him. Catholic started its series on its own 21 yard line.

Juwon Shon took the ball around the left end for an eight yard first down gain. Zach Stanton made the tackle for Portland. Issac Gallegos passed to Joe Magaswaran for a thirteen yard gain and a first down. Wyatt Nott made the Raider tackle.

Kai Mishler went up the middle for a two yard first down gain. Evan Pung made the stop for Portland. On the next play, Kai Mishler went into the line cut left, and scored a fifty-six yard touchdown. Aidan Dutcher made the long snap, Gary Tackett held the ball and Gavin Rabideau kicked the successful extra point. With 5:24 left on the clock, Catholic trimmed the Portland lead to 54-7.

Gavin Rabideau kicked an onside kickoff for Catholic. Evan Pung dove on the ball at the fifty yard line to secure possession for the Raiders.

Tanner Darunday went through the middle and gained twenty-six yards before Brayden Jakovic pulled him down.

Tanner Darunday went up the middle and gained four first down yards before Joe Magaswaran tackled him. Tanner Darunday gained eight yards on second down to earn another first down. He was swamped by a gathering of Cougars.

Portland took a knee on the final three plays of the game.

Portland won this game by the final score of 54-7 to stay undefeated.