The Niles Vikings had never won a regional title before they were able to do so this season in thrilling, comeback fashion over Portland last week. They next would be tasked with taking down the 2022 state champs South Christian, who were looking to punch their third straight ticket to Ford Field this season.  And the Vikings would be able to stun many, as they ran away – literally – with this game piling up well over 300 yards of rushing offense to earn a 62-30 win and move them on to the Division 4 State Final next Friday afternoon.

It would be the Sailors that would jump out first in this one, however, as they would force a fumble and recover on the Vikings first drive of the game before easily driving down the field before sophomore running back Jesse VanDeGriend would score from 28 yards out to take a 7-0 edge.

Niles would answer right back, driving down the field with their multiple option running attack, finding the end zone with Peyton Gordon from 17 yards out, and taking the lead after a 2 point conversion. The Vikings would then come up with a game-changing turnover of their own, as a tipped Carson Vis pass at the line of scrimmage would be picked off by a sliding LB Ward Cheney, setting up a long Paul Hess run into the red zone and then a TD pitch run to Alex Anderson, after the 2 point try was good it was 16-7 at the end of the first.

South would strike back to start the 2nd quarter as Vis would orchestrate a long drive before extending a broken passing play on 3rd and goal to find Owen Burgess, who slipped a tackled and scored to bring the Sailors within 16-14.

Niles star Sam Rucker then answered immediately, in maybe the biggest momentum swing of the game, the senior took a weaving returns with a. pair of broken tackled back all the way for a 91-yard kickoff return on the ensuing kick-off and giving the Vikings a 10 point lead after a successful 2 point conversion, 24-14.

Niles would strike twice more before the end of the half, first with senior QB finding 6’7 senior WR Brenden Olsen from 7 yards out and then Gordon would again score in the final minute – Niles led in stunning fashion 38-14 at the break.

After forcing a quick Sailors 3 and out out of the half, Niles would plunge Paul Hess into the end zone to lead 46-14.

Vis would then find Burgess again, this time on a long 46 yard strike  and add a 2 point try of their own to bring the game down to 46-22 at the end of the third.

In the fourth, Sam Rucker would find the end zone on the next Niles drive to up the lead back to 32.

Vis and Burgess would connect for a third time for a score, this time from 15 yards out with 11:17 remaining to trail 54-30. South Christian then would get the ball right back with a successful onside kick, but would fail to take advantage and turn the ball over on downs before the Vikings would add one final exclamation mark again with Peyton Gordon from 23 yards, and with another good 2 point attempt for a 62-30 final and the first ever Niles trip to Ford Field.

Niles will play next Friday in Detroit vs the Martians of Goodrich, who defeated reigning state champion Harper Woods, at 12:30 in the division four state title game.

South Christian finishes their season at 8-5, with a third straight regional title and notable win over top-ranked Unity Christian in the district final.

 

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KEY STAT LEADERS

 

NILES VIKINGS – 62

QB – Senior – Talen Bennett: 1 completion, 9 yards – 1 Pass TD (to senior Brenden Olsen) / 4 rushes, 7 yards

RB – Senior – Paul Hess: 29 rushes, 213 yards – 1 Rush TD

RB – Senior – Peyton Gordon: 5 rushes, 46 yards – 3 Rush TD

RB – Senior – Sam Rucker: 16 rushes, 132 yards – 1 Rush TD / 91-yd Kick Return TD

RB – Junior – Alex Anderson: 1 Rush, 10 yards – 1 Rush TD

 

SOUTH CHRISTIAN SAILORS – 30

QB – Senior – Carson Vis: 15 completions, 217 yards – 3 Pass TD / 11 rushes, 24 yards

RB – Sophomore – Jesse VanDeGriend: 10 rushes, 55 yards – 1 Rush TD

WR – Junior – Owen Burgess: 10 receptions, 136 yards – 3 Rec. TD

TE – Senior – Tyler Brinks: 2 receptions, 53 yards