Last week, the Byron Center Bulldogs avenged the lone blemish on their schedule, taking down Mona Shores in a 30-23 District Championship contest. This week, they took on Portage Central with a chance to capture the school’s first-ever Regional Championship. From the jump, Coach Cisco’s Bulldogs looked ready, and tonight they brought home that hardware in a 52-14 rout.
Portage Central won the opening coin toss, deferred, and the momentum immediately went Byron Center’s way. They struck first on a short touchdown drive, a 2-yard keeper by Landon Tungate.
Byron Center got the football back, but lost possession on a turnover. After another stop, they capitalized with a touchdown drive. Kellen Payne, a standout pitcher for the Bulldogs baseball team, padded the lead with a 6-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing kickoff, Portage Central fumbled the football. The Bulldogs quickly capitalized, as Tungate found Cam Payne on a 41-yard touchdown pass. At the end of the first quarter, Byron Center held a commanding 20-0 edge.
After another Mustangs’ fumble, the Bulldogs lead grew even larger. Landon Tungate kept the football again, and he found the end zone on a 2-yard score. Before the half, Tungate would add one more touchdown run, a 1-yard plunge. The Bulldogs led 35-0 at the half.
The teams would exchange touchdowns in the second half, but the Mustangs were unable to overcome an insurmountable first half advantage. As a result, Byron Center was able to bring home the school’s first Regional Championship.
Next week, Byron Center will play in the State Semifinals. That matchup will take place against East Lansing, who defeated Saginaw Heritage 49-27. The Trojans are a familiar foe for the Bulldogs, as they ended Byron Center’s season last fall in the Regional Finals.
