Niles Vikings keep postseason run alive, defeats Paw Paw 42-7

NILES, Mich. -- The Niles Vikings came onto their home turf with one goal in mind: keeping their postseason dreams alive.

Fresh off an eight-game winning streak and on top of the conference standings, they faced the Paw Paw Red Wolves for the second time, looking to replicate last week’s shutout win.

The Vikings wasted no time showing why they're leading the pack. Just four minutes into the game, senior Paul Hess drives left with a clear path into the end zone, securing the first touchdown of the game. The extra point gives the Vikings a 7-0 early lead.

Niles' offense found their rhythm as in the second quarter, a handoff to senior Sam Rucker sprints down the middle for another touchdown, pushing the lead 14-0.

But Paw Paw is looking to rewrite their narrative. Just seconds winding down in the first half, Gunnar Goodell moves the ball to the right and finds Barron Marinich who takes it in the end zone, giving the Red Wolves their first points of the game. They headed into halftime trailing by seven points.

But Vikings kept putting pressure the second half with a touchdown from the senior Peyton Gordon and then scoring another one diving over the line-practically somersaulting into the end zone. That brought the score to 28-7.

Rucker back at it again this time sprinting through the backfield, weaving to his right pushing the lead to 35 to 7.

And with a final touchdown, the Vikings sealed the victory, keeping their postseason run alive defeating the Red Wolves yet again 42-7.

"A great win, anytime you win this time around year, it's a great win. We're playing a little bit better offensively and defensively as well. They're a good team and we're moving on. That's all that matters," Niles Head Coach Scot Shaw said.

Niles will face off the winner of the Edwardsburg-Battle Creek Harper Creek game next week.