BENTON HARBOR – David Garner scored a trio of touchdowns as Niles defeated 27-14 in a Big 16 Conference West Division clash Friday night.

Garner scored a pair of receiving touchdowns and ran for another as the Vikings snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 3-5 on the season.

Both team put a touchdown on the board in the opening quarter with the Vikings striking first on a 73-yard run by Garner and Cameron Sly’s extra point kick.

Benton Harbor responded with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Demetric Haynes to Ben Varrie.

Niles would score the next three touchdowns to open up a 27-7 advantage before the Tigers capped the scoring in the fourth quarter.

Garner caught back-to-back 8-yard touchdown passes from Sly in the second and third quarters and then Sly called his own number from a yard out to complete the scoring.

Devon Williams made the final look a bit more respectable with a 22-yard pass reception from Haynes.

Sly finished the game 4-of-8 for 41 yards and two touchdowns. Garner caught all four passes.

Aaron Davis ran the ball seven times for 68 yards. Sly added 60 yards on seven carries.
Cal Poehlman led the team with 14 tackles. Kevin Gross finished with nine tackles.
Nathan Draper recovered a fumble.

“It was homecoming up there, obviously they come out with a little more intensity and sometimes you just have to weather the storm,” Niles coach Dan Brawley said. “You have to settle in and play the game. I thought we were able to do that tonight.

“Our defense bent a little, but it certainly didn’t break. They came up with the plays when we needed them. Offensively, we moved the football. When we got the opportunity, we made the most of them,” he added.

Niles 7 7 7 6 – 27
Benton Harbor 7 0 0 7 – 14
N – David Garner 73 run (Cameron Sly kick)
BH – Ben Varrie 54 pass from Demetric Haynes (Haynes kick)
N – Garner 8 pass from Sly (Sly kick)
N – Garner 8 pass from Sly (Sly kick)
N – Sly 1 run (kick failed)
BH – Devon Williams 22 pass from Haynes (Haynes kick)