The Niles Vikings and Brandywine Bobcats are in need of a rebound game Thursday night.

The Vikings are coming off a 55-33 loss to Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, while the Bobcats are coming off a 35-8 loss to Cassopolis.

While both coaches admitted there was plenty of work to be done, Antwon Jones of Niles and Mike Nate of Brandywine saw some positive signs as well.

 

Mattawan at Niles

The Wildcats opened the 2015 season with a 49-7 loss to perennial powerhouse Portage Central.

The Mustangs led 49-0 before Mattawan finally found the end zone with 2:41 remaining in the contest.

Tristan Jones scored on a 4-yard run to avert the shutout.

Like Niles, the Wildcats had trouble holding onto the football as Portage Central took advantage of three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

The Vikings also turned the ball over frequently, including five interceptions.

“It wasn’t a deal where their defense was stopping us,” Niles football coach Antwon Jones said following Friday night’s loss. “We were stopping ourselves with some errant passes and some drops.”

On the plus side, the Vikings threw for 458 yards and five touchdowns. Niles quarterback Alex Harpenau was 27-of-55 with 14 of those passes being caught by freshman Tre Gray, who finished with 237 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

“We made some plays,” Jones said. “We just turned the ball over with some silly turnovers. We’ll get better with that. In the second half, our play improved. People made plays. The guys never gave up and that’s what I like about this crew.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

 

LaLumiere at Brandywine

The Lakers opened the season with a 32-14 victory over BCS Athletic Conference’s River Valley.

The Bobcats are 3-0 all-time against LaLumiere, including a 61-12 victory in 2014.

Brandywine gave up too many big plays in its season-opening loss to the Rangers, including a 30-yard run and a 20-yard fumble return by Cassopolis’ A.J. Green.

The Bobcats trailed 27-0 at halftime, but showed what it was made of by coming out of the locker room and scoring the first touchdown of the second half.

“We challenged the kids at halftime to come out and play hard and not quit,” Brandywine coach Mike Nate said. “We challenged them to be team players and to come out and take adversity head-on and they did that.

“Even though it was 35-8 there was a lot of good stuff too. We moved the ball, we ran some pretty good plays. But you have to give the credit to Cass. They wanted it and they are a darn good football team. If there is anybody on our schedule better than that I am hoping not.”

The Bobcats, who lost most of its offensive production from 2014 to graduation, finished with just 193 yards rushing, while Vinny Peel was 10-of-14 for 87 yards with a pair of interceptions.

Jeshua Wiese, who scored Brandywine’s lone touchdown, looks to be the workhorse at running back as he finished with 128 yards on 12 carries.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.