Last Update: 09-02-2010 ( The printable schedule has been updated)

Panther Puzzle.

You may have heard the expression "a tale of two halves", referring to differences in the way a team plays from one half to another. In 2000, such a game was played between Portland and DeWitt.

The Puzzle: What was significant between the two halves?

Answer:  The two halves were played on different days. Torrential rains before and during the game left the field and everyone watching soaked. At half time, Mrs. Reyburn and the Portland AD decided to finish the game on Saturday. DeWitt won 14-6 behind the twin running backs Cole and Tyler Thelen.

Portland, MI (09-20-2010):  Whew.. 

After a 20 minute rain shower shortly before the game, the Panthers and Portland Raiders took the field with very opposite teams. The Panthers small and fast and a wide open attack. Portland with a huge line wanting to control the ball and slug it out on the wet grass.

Late in the fourth quarter with the Panthers clinging to a 20-14 lead, the Raiders drove to the Panther 15 yard line. Facing a fourth down and twelve, Portland QB Jacob Kenyon, from the left hash mark, lofted a pass to the right corner of the end zone, that seemed to hang forever, where 6'4" Tyler Pierce out jumped the DeWitt defender and hauled in the touchdown pass. Kenyon kicked the extra point giving Portland a 21-20 lead with 1:11 seconds to play.

The Panthers took over after the kick off at their own 22 yard line. Bang, Panther QB Calib Higbie hit Jordan Wallace for 12 yards. Pow, Higbie to Jacob Higbie for 39 yards. Wham, Higbie runs for 9 yards.... time out... Boom, Higbie hits a leaping Jordan Johnson for an eight yard TD with only 35 seconds to play. A Jacob Higbie extra point made it 27-21 DeWitt. The Raiders then drove to the Panther 50 but a Hail Mary pass was batted away at the Panther goal line as time expired.

DeWitt scored first in the first quarter on a five yard dash by Calib Higbie capping a long 12 play, 70 yard drive. Portland scored with about three minutes to play in the second quarter on a 43 yard scamper up the middle by speedster Andrew Barr. The Panthers came back and scored just before the half on a 36 yard pass play from Higbie to Johnson. DeWitt took the opening kickoff in the third quarter and drove 87 yards in 10 plays with Higbie rushing the last 8 yards. Portland took the ensuing kickoff and drove it 70 yards in 12 plays with Alex Newman sprinting the last seven yards and set up the exciting fourth quarter.

For DeWitt, Higibe was 21 of 27 for 309 yards and two touchdowns passing and 52 yards and two TDs rushing. Johnson ended with 13 catches and  198 yards with the two TDs.

Defensively, Jacob Higbie had 15 tackles, Ethan Rennaker 15 tackles and Nathaniel Deak 10.

Mid-way through the second quarter, Portland's #54 Dillon Brody was hit hard by a Panther block. He left the game but according to Portland coaches after the game, he was Ok and expected to play next week.

Lansing, MI (08-25-2010): Congratulations to DeWitt Head Coach Rob Zimmerman for being named the Coach of the Decade by the Lansing State Journal. Joining Rob to the LSJ all Decade Team from DeWitt was the acrobatic receiver Jason Fleet (2008), offensive lineman and LSJ Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 Paul Jorgensen and 2005 LSJ Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Justin Braska. Several other former Panthers were among finalists for the team. Please click here to read the article and see the complete list.

St. Johns, MI (08- 13-2010): It was announced today that the Week 9 game between St. Johns and DeWitt, scheduled to be played at St. Johns has been moved. St. Johns is going through a field renovation currently and the Red Wings field will not be playable this year. The game will be played Friday night, October 22 at 7:00pm as planned at Kelly Shorts Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University. Fire Up Ch...uh ... Panthers!