November 15, 2025 – – Vicksburg at Portland – – MHSAA Division 4 Regional Football Final – – The Bleacher Denizen – – by Chuck Krafft

The MHSAA Football Tournament has moved to the regional round and your Bleacher Denizen has made the trip to Portland to watch as the Portland Raiders host the Vicksburg Bulldogs. Portland enters the game with an 11-0 record while Vicksburg brings a 7-4 record into the game.

It is always fun to do games for Portland High as the crew in the press box does an incredible job and makes it really easy for the Bleacher Denizen to take his play by play notes. Of course, it is always great to share the booth with the great announcer, Dave Pettit, who brings his dulcet tones to inform the crowd of what is happening!

It is now time to review the events of this game through the somewhat clear eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to get his football career going. He was showing some progress as an offensive lineman until the football powers that be ruled that he could not play on the line wearing a medieval suit of armor. Without this protection from those aggressive and assertive defensive lineman, the Bleacher Denizen’s ability to protect his quarterback greatly decreased and the Bleacher Denizen was assigned to protect the water jug.

Vicksburg’s Mitchell Beyer boomed the opening kickoff into the end zone and Portland started its first series of the game on its own 20 yard line.

Dillyn VanHeukelum stopped the Raider first down run for a one yard gain. Kameron Kessler stopped Kayden Dickerson’s second down run up the middle for a three yard gain. After the Raider third down pass fell incomplete, Portland punted on fourth down. Kehyan Page punted the ball to about the Vicksburg 40 yard line where Travis Hostetler caught it and returned it about ten yards before Tanner Darunday forced him out of bounds.

Vicksburg started its first possession of the game on the fifty yard line.

Jarred Russman stopped the Bulldog first down run to the right for no gain. Easton Moughton tossed a second down screen pass to Travis Hostetler, who gained fourteen yards before Jarred Russman tackled him to give his Bulldogs a first down.

A false start penalty on first down pushed Vicksburg back five yards. Easton Moughton took the ball round the right end on the first down replay and gained eight yards before Carter White pushed him out of bounds. Caleb Densmore sacked the Bulldog Quarterback for a seven yard second down loss. Max Sandborn covered for Portland on the Vicksburg incomplete third down pass. A false start penalty negated Vicksburg’s fourth down punt and they had to redo the play after five yards were marked off.

Mitchell Beyer punted the ball forty-five yards into the Portland end zone and Portland started its drive on its own 20 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson took the ball up the middle and gained five yards on first down before Kameron Kessler stopped him. On the next play, Ethan Cassel threw to Nolan Zbytowski, who appeared to score a touchdown, but a holding penalty brought the ball back. On the second down repeat, Kayden Dickerson took a pitch to the left and gained five yards before Anthony Marchese pulled him down. Ethan Cassel threw a third down pass to Nolan Zbytowski, who gained twenty-five yards before Graham Kubiak pushed him out of bounds to give the Raiders a first down.

Brad Meyers ran up the left tackle for a six yard first down gain. Michael Johnson made the tackle for Vicksburg. Nolan Zbytowski took the ball to the left for a seven yard gain on second down to give his Raiders a first down. Dillyn VanHeukelum made the stop for Vicksburg. The Raiders had a first down in Bulldog territory at the 42 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson went to the left and gained thirteen yards before Graham Kubiak tackled him to give Portland another first down.

Kayden Dickerson went up the middle and gained five first down yards before Ryan Gruber stopped him. Brad Meyers spun and fought his way to four second down yards. Ryan Gruber got the tackle for the Bulldogs. Ethan Cassel went up the middle and gained three yards before a pack of Bulldogs stopped him. Portland had a first down on the Vicksburg 17 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski gained eight yards on a first down run to the left before he ran into Graham Kubiak. On the next play, Kayden Dickerson took the ball to the left for a nine yard touchdown run.

Evan Pung made the long snap, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner kicked the successful extra point. With 4:05 to play in the opening quarter, Portland had a 7-0 lead.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 6 yard line where Travis Hostetler fielded it and gained twelve yards before Liam Wolfe pulled him down. Vicksburg started its possession on its own 18 yard line.

Easton Moughton passed the ball to Graham Kubiak, who evaded a tackle and gained sixty-one yards before Max Sandborn tackled him to prevent a touchdown.

Caleb Densmore stopped the Vicksburg first down run for no gain. Deacon Townsend covered on Vicksburg’s incomplete second down pass. Gunnar Williams tipped the third down pass and it fell incomplete.

On fourth down, Korbin Dugan made the long snap, Donnie Yant held the ball and Mitchell Beyer kicked a successful thirty-eight yard field goal to trim the Portland lead to 7-3 with 3:04 left in the first quarter.

Mitchell Beyer kicked an onside kickoff and Spencer Spicer recovered it for the Bulldogs on the Portland 45 yard line; Vicksburg started its possession there.

On the next play, Max Sandborn intercepted the ball for Portland at the Raider 36 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson gained five yards on a first down pitch to the left. Travis Hostetler made the tackle for the Bulldogs. Nolan Zbytowski gained seven yards on a second down pitch to the left before Kehyan Page pulled him down. This gave the Raiders a first down.

Trevor Smith went to the right and gained two yards before Michael Johnson pulled him down. Kayden Dickerson darted through a nice hole made by the Raider line and gained eight yards as well as a first down before Graham Kubiak stopped him.

On the final play of the first quarter, Nolan Zbytowski took the ball to the left and gained seven yard before Travis Hostetler pulled him down.

The first quarter ended with Portland holding a 7-3 lead. The Raiders had the ball. It was second down with three yards to go on the Vicksburg 35 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson went up the middle on first down and gained four yards before Donnie Yant tackled him. Portland gained another first down.

Kayden Dickerson burst through the middle and gained eleven yards before Graham Kubiak stopped him. Portland had a first down on the Vicksburg 20 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson’s first down run up the middle was good for three yards before he ran into Korbin Dugan. On second down, Kayben Dickerson went up the middle for a three yard gain; Luke Deal got the Bulldog stop. Trevor Smith went to the right on third down and gained twelve yards before Dillyn Van Heukelum stopped him.

On the next play, Nolan Zbytowski went up the middle for a two yard touchdown. Evan Pung snapped the ball, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner booted the extra point through the uprights to give Portland a 14-3 lead with 9:28 to play in the second quarter.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 15 yard line where Quincy Schwartz grabbed it and gained seven yards before he ran into Jarred Russman. Vicksburg started its next series on its own 20 yard line.

Caleb Densmore and Brad Meyers teamed up to stop the Vicksburg first down run for a one yard loss. Brady Rowe covered on Vickburg’s incomplete second down pass. Easton Moughton hoisted a third down pass to Travis Hostetler, who gained thirty-four yards before Nolan Zbytowski stopped him. Vicksburg had a first down in Portland territory on the 45 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson and Caleb Densmore teamed up to stop the Vicksburg first down run for a one yard loss. Brady Rowe covered for Portland on the Bulldog second down incomplete pass. Easton Moughton completed a third down screen pass to Graham Kubiak, but Max Sandborn was able to tackle him immediately when he caught it and the play lost one yard. After a fake punt, Deacon Townsend intercepted Vicksburg’s fourth down pass around the Portland 42 yard line and gained about five yards before Brycce Johnson tackled him.

Portland had a first down on its own 47 yard line.

Korbin Dugan stopped Portland’s first down run for no gain. Kayden Dickerson went up the middle on second down and gained four yards before Ryan Gruber stopped him. Dillyn VanHeukelum covered for Vicksburg on Portland’s incomplete third down pass. Kehyan Page punted on fourth down. Quincy Schwartz fielded the punt around the Vicksburg 10 yard line and gained about fifteen yards before Derek LeDu halted his progress.

Vicksburg had a first down on its own 26 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski broke up Vicksburg’s first down pass. Easton Moughton passed to Graham Kubiak for an eleven yard second yard gain and a first down. Max Sandborn made the tackle for Portland.

Easton Moughton completed a long pass over the middle to Travis Hostetler, who gained forty-five yards before Deacon Townsend stopped him. Vicksburg had a first down on the Portland 18 yard line.

One of the Raider lineman tipped the Bulldog first down pass and it fell incomplete. Caleb Densmore stopped the Vicksburg second down run for a one yard loss. On third down, Easton Moughton completed a nineteen yard touchdown pass to Graham Kubiak. Korbin Dugan made the long snap, Bonnie Yant held the ball and Mitchell Beyer kicked the extra point to cut Portland’s lead to 14-10 with 3:36 remaining in the opening half.

Mitchell Beyer booted his kickoff to the Portland 5 yard line, where Brady Rowe fielded it and made a long return, but a penalty negated most of the run and Portland started its next series on its own 35 yard line.

Brad Meyers took the ball up the middle for a five yard first down gain. Donnie Yant got the tackle for Vicksburg. On the next play, Portland fumbled; Brady Rowe dived on the ball to prevent a turnover. Jordon Butler made the tackle and the Raiders lost four yards on the play. Kameron Kessler got a hand on Portland’s third down pass and it fell incomplete.

Kehyan Page punted on fourth down. Travis Hostetler fielded the punt on the Vicksburg 31 yard line and gained about ten yards before Carson Spenski and Tanner Darunday pulled him down. Vicksburg had a first down on its own 41 yard line with 1:01 remaining in the first half.

Carter White intercepted Vicksburg’s first down pass and gained about ten yards before Kameron Kessler forced him out of bounds at the Vicksburg 30 yard line.

Travis Hostetler and Graham Kubiak covered for Vicksburg on Portland’s incomplete first down pass. Kayden Dickerson gained six yards on a second down run up the left tackle before Jayden Keiser halted his progress. Brady Meyers took the ball to the right and gained seventeen yards before Graham Kubiak pulled him down. This gave Portland a first down on Vickburg’s 7 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson went up the middle on first down and gained four yards before Donnie Yant tackled him. On the next play, Kayden Dickerson followed a great block by Jarred Russman and ran three yards for a Portland touchdown. Evan Pung made the long snap, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner kicked the extra point to give the Raiders a 21-10 lead with 20 seconds left in the first half.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 14 yard line where Travis Hostetler grabbed it and gained sixteen yards before Brady Rowe stopped him.

Vicksburg had a first down on its own 31 yard line.

On the final play of the first half, Jayden Keiser took the ball into the middle and gained about three yards before Carter White and Isaiah Bower tackled him.

Portland took a 21-10 lead into the locker room at half time. Your Bleacher Denizen predicts the score will also be 21-10 at the beginning of the third quarter. He is proud that he has predicted every beginning third quarter score accurately for this entire season!!

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 29 yard line to open the second half; Michael Johnson caught the ball and took a knee. Vicksburg started its next series there.

Easton Moughton tossed the ball over the middle to Graham Kubian, who gained sixteen yards before Brady Rowe and Deacon Townsend tackled him.

Jayden Keiser took the ball to the right for a two yard first down gain; Isaiah Bower made the Raider tackle. On second down, Sawyer Goodman sacked the Bulldog Quarterback for a nine yard loss. Easton Moughton tossed the ball to Michael Johnson for a twenty-seven yard third down gain to give the Bulldogs a first down on the Raider 35 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson knocked the Vicksburg first down pass out of the air. A holding penalty negated a gain on a second down screen pass and pushed Vicksburg back eight yards. Easton Moughton completed a pass to Graham Kubiak on the second down replay; he gained thirteen yards before Carter White pushed him out of bounds. Brady Rowe and Max Sandborn covered for Portland on Vicksburg’s incomplete third down pass. Easton Moughton completed a fourth down pass to Maguire Bowles for a ten yard gain. Vicksburg had a first down on the Portland 20 yard line.

A Portland first down offsides penalty gave Vicksburg five yards. Easton Moughton completed a screen pass on the first down replay, but the receiver caught it with a knee on the ground for a three yard loss. Carter White stopped Vicksburg’s second down run up the middle for a one yard loss. Easton Moughton completed a third down pass to Maguire Bowles for a nineteen yard touchdown pass.

Vicksburg tried to run the ball for the point after, but Sawyer Goodman and Kayden Dickerson made a tackle to stop the play. With 7:12 remaining in quarter number three, Vicksburg trimmed the Portland lead to 21-16.

Mitchell Beyer kicked the ball off to the Portland 3 yard line where Nolan Zbytowski fielded it and gained ten yards before he ran into Graham Kubiak. Portland started its next series on its own 13 yard line.

Kayden Dickerson took the ball to the left and gained seventeen yards to earn a first down for the raiders. Graham Kubiak made the tackle for the Bulldogs.

Kayden Dickerson gained four yards on a first down run up the middle before Luke Deal stopped him. Kayden Dickerson went to the right for a nine yard second down gain and a first down before Graham Kubiak stopped him.

Brad Meyers gained two yards on a first down run up the middle before he ran into Michael Johnson. Kayden Dickerson went up the middle on second down and gained two yards before Kameron Kessler tackled him. A penalty on Vicksburg gave Portland a first down on the Vicksburg 40 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski went to the left for a ten yard gain and a first down. Graham Kubiak got the stop for the Bulldogs.

Kayden Dickerson’s first down run up the middle gained five yards before Dillyn VanHeukelum tackled him. Corban Cox stopped the Portland second down run up the middle for a one yard gain. On the next play, Kayden Dickerson took the ball to the right for a twenty-four yard touchdown run. Evan Pung made the long snap, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner kicked the successful extra point to give Portland a 28-19 lead with 2:19 to play in the third quarter.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 10 yard line where Travis Hostetler caught it and gained fifteen yards before Wyatt Noot and Ethan Babcock pulled him down.

Vicksburg had a first down on its own 25 yard line.

Brady Rowe’s timely hit caused Vicksburg’s first down pass to fall incomplete. On the next play, Easton Moughton completed a beautiful pass to Travis Hostetler, who caught the ball in stride and scored a seventy-five yard touchdown. Korbin Dugan made the long snap, Donnie Yant held the ball and Mitchell Beyer kicked the successful extra point to pare the Portland lead to 28-23 with 2:00 remaining in quarter number three.

Mitchell Beyer kicked the ball off into the Portland end zone and the Raiders started their drive on their own 20 yard line.

On the next play, Mitchell Johnson recovered a Portland fumble on the Raider 22 yard line. On the next play, Jayden Keiser took the ball up the middle for a twenty-two yard touchdown. Vicksburg tried to pass the ball for a two point conversion, but Brad Meyers tackled the Bulldog Quarterback to foil the play. However, Vicksburg took a 29-28 lead with 1:48 to go in the third quarter.

Mitchell Beyer kicked the ball into the Portland end zone and the Raiders again started their drive on their own 20 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski took the ball to the left and gained three yards before Dillyn VanHeukelum tackled him. Luke Deal stopped the Portland second down run for a one yard gain. Ethan Cassel completed a third down pass over the middle to Brad Meyers for a fourteen yard gain and a first down. Jordon Butler got the tackle for Vicksburg.

On the final play of the third quarter, Brad Meyers ran for nine yards before Michael Johnson tackled him.

At the end of the third quarter, Vicksburg held a 29-28 lead. Portland had a second down with one yard to go on its own 48 yard line.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Kayden Dickerson ran to the right and gained eleven yards and a first down before Michael Johnson tackled him.

Nolan Zbytowski gained two yards on a first down run up the middle. Ryan Gruber made the Bulldog tackle. On second down, Kayden Dickerson gained twenty-four yards on a run around the left end to give Portland a first down on the Vicksburg 14 yard line.

Luke Deal stopped Portland’s first down run up the middle for a one yard gain. Kayden Dickerson gained seven yards on a second down run to the right before Michael Johnson pulled him down. Kayden Dickerson’s third down run up the middle resulted in a seven yard touchdown. Luke Deal stepped up to stop the Portland extra point run. With 9:07 remaining in the game, Portland took a 34-29 lead.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 15 yard line. Quincy Schwartz grabbed the ball and gained twelve yards before Brad Meyers tackled him. Vicksburg started its series on its own 27 yard line.

Vicksburg threw and incomplete first down pass over the middle and an incomplete second down screen pass. On third down, Carter White and Sawyer Goodman teamed up to sack the Bulldog Quarterback for a twelve yard loss. Mitchell Beyer punted on fourth down. Vicksburg’s Bowan Miller downed the ball on the Portland 32 yard line where the Raiders started their next series.

Kayden Dickerson ran up the middle for a four yard first down gain. Dillyn VanHeukelum made the Bulldog tackle. On the next play, Kayden Dickerson ran for a sixty-two yard touchdown. Evan Pung hiked the ball, Max Sandborn held the ball and Leo Wagner kicked the successful extra point to give Portland a 41-29 lead with 7:13 left on the clock.

Leo Wagner kicked the ball off to the Vicksburg 18 yard line where Michael Johnson grabbed it and gained seven yards before Laim Wolfe tackled him.

Vicksburg began its next series on its own 25 yard line.

Jayden Keiser gained three yards on a first down run up the middle before he ran into Caleb Densmore and Carter White. Carter White knocked the Vicksburg second down pass. Deacon Townsend covered for Portland on Vicksburg’s incomplete third down pass. On fourth down, Easton Moughton completed a screen pass to Travis Hostetler, who raced up the field for a forty-two yard gain before Brady Rowe tackled him to prevent a touchdown. Vicksburg had a first down on the Portland 30 yard line.

Max Sandborn covered for Portland on Vicksburg’s incomplete first down pass. On second down, Easton Moughton threw to Graham Kubiak, who made a diving catch for an eight yard gain. Vicksburg’s third down pass into the end zone fell incomplete. On fourth down, Easton Moughton completed a pass to Travis Hostetler for a seventeen yard gain to put Vicksburg on the Portland 5 yard line. Deacon Townsend made the tackle for Portland.

On the next play, Jayden Keiser ran up the left tackle for a five yard touchdown.

Korbin Dugan snapped the ball, Donnie Yant held the ball and Mitchell Beyer kicked the extra point to shave the Portland lead to 41-36 with 4:54 left in the contest.

Mitchell Beyer kicked the ball off to Portland’s 15 yard line, where Carson Spenski caught the ball. I am not sure, but I think it was ruled to be a fair catch. Portland started its series on its own 15 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski took the ball to the left for a two yard first down gain before Anthony Marchese stopped him. Kayden Dickerson took the ball to the right for a ten yard second down gain as well as a Raider first down. Dillyn VanHeukelum got the tackle for Vicksburg.

A first down false start penalty pushed Portland back five yards. On the first down replay, Kayden Dickerson went to the left and gained four yards before Corban Cox tackled him. Nolan Zybtowski went to the left on second down and gained two yards before he was stopped by a pack of Bulldogs. Kayden Dickerson’s third down run to the left gained four yards before he ran into Korbin Dugan. Portland was short five yards of the first down and decided to punt.

When the snap was juggled, punter Kehyan Page had to run and somehow was able to get his punt off near the right sideline. The ball went out of bounds on the Vicksburg 39 yard line, where the Bulldogs started a possession with 1:39 remaining in the game.

Easton Moughton completed an eight yard first down pass to Graham Kubiak. Carter White made the tackle for Portland. Easton Moughton completed a second down screen pass to Graham Kubian, who gained one yard before Gunnar Williams tackled him. Deacon Townsend broke up Vicksburg’s third down pass. With Vicksburg absolutely needing a fourth down to have a chance to avoid defeat, Easton Moughton completed a clutch ten yard pass to Maguire Bowles to give Vicksburg a first down on the Portland 42 yard line. Brady Rowe made the tackle for Portland.

Brady Rowe broke up Vicksburg’s first down pass. Portland appeared to sack the Vicksburg quarterback on second down, but an inadvertent face mask penalty gave Vicksburg a first down on Portland’s 29 yard line.

Nolan Zbytowski broke up Vicksburg’s first down pass. On the next play, Easton Moughton completed a six yard second down pass to Travis Hostetler. Nolan Zbytowski made the tackle for Portland. I am not sure if he was in bounds (which would have kept the clock running.)

The clock stopped with nine seconds left. On what turned out to be the final play of the game, Easton Moughton completed a twenty-three yard touchdown pass to Graham Kubiak in the end zone to give Vicksburg a 42-41 lead with no time left. (Since it would not affect the outcome, they did not run the extra point play.)

Vicksburg won this exciting game by the final score of 42-41 and will play Hudsonville Unity Christian in the State Semifinal next week.

Congratulations to Vicksburg for getting to the semifinals. Let’s also congratulate Portland for a great season that only ended on a great play at the last second!