“Defense wins championships and offenses wins games.”

That age-old coaching adage didn’t hold true for the Niles Vikings Friday night.

It is true that the Vikings’ offense once again put up big numbers, but it was the defense that saved the day for Niles in a 28-13 win over visiting Kalamazoo Central.

Niles was able to overcome six turnovers, five of which were interceptions, because of its defense, which held the Maroon Giants to just 164 yards in total offense.

“That’s as well as the defense has played all year,” Niles coach Antwon Jones said. “They were awesome against the run.”

Fans were still coming through the gates when Niles scored twice in the opening quarter.

On its first possession Alex Harpenau hooked up with Ra’Quon Glenn for a 72-yard touchdown strike. The two connected on the Vikings’ next possession after the defense forced a three-and-out for Kalamazoo Central.

This time the pass play covered 30 yards and although Niles had the extra point blocked, it led 13-0.

That’s when things got a bit dicey for the Vikings on offense.

While it continued to move the ball up and down the field on the Maroon Giants, it would squander three scoring chances thanks to turnovers and a penalty.

Harpenau was picked off in the end zone and at the 2-yard line before a holding penalty brought back a Warren Smith touchdown.

On the next play, Harpenau was intercepted again in the end zone.

“You can’t turn the ball over inside the 5 and you can’t miss wide open receivers,” Jones said. “And that happened play after play after play after play. We threw for almost 500 yards and it should’ve been over 700. I’m glad we battled through it.”

The Vikings picked up a safety in the second quarter for its only points and looked like it was headed to the locker room with a comfortable 15-0 lead.

But Kalamazoo Central got itself back in the game with a pair of late scores.

Kenny Jones scored on a 3-yard touchdown after the Maroon Giants connected on a huge pass play to the 1-yard line.

The Niles defense stiffened and it took three plays to score to cut the lead to 13-7 with 2:49 remaining in the opening half.

The Vikings took the ball right back down the field and was in a position to score again when a lateral pass was picked up by Prescott Coleman and returned 88 yards for a score with 52 seconds left on the clock.

While the defense continued to control the Maroon Giant offense in the second half, the Niles offense was able to score a touchdown in each quarter.

Glenn scored both times — on a 4-yard run and a 60-yard pass from Harpenau.

Glenn finished the night with 17 catches for 21-of-38 for 381 yards.

Niles finished the game with 520 yards of total offense.

 

K Central        0          13       0          0 — 13

Niles                13       2          6          7 — 28

N – Ra’Quon Glenn 72 pass from Alex Harpenau (Jaycee Myer kick)

N – Glenn 30 pass from Harpenau (kick blocked)

N – Safety, Darius Skinner recovered own fumble in end zone

KC – Kenny Jones 3 run (Kegan Miller kick)

KC – Prescott Coleman 88 fumble return (run failed)

N – Glenn 4 run (pass failed)

N – Glenn 60 pass from Harpenau (Myer kick)