On a night when the defense played better, the Niles offense sputtered in a 48-6 loss to visiting Mattawan Thursday.

A usually effective offensive unit was held to just 231 yards in total offense, including 198 through the air and just one touchdown by a Wildcat team that gave up 49 point to Portage Central in its opener.

Turnovers again plagued Niles, which lost a fumble and threw three more interceptions putting its defense in a bad spot again and again.

“We put our defense in a lot of bad situations with all the turnovers,” Niles coach Antwon Jones said. “But at the same time, we’ve got some guys who just don’t want to hit people. We drill and drill, but that’s something you’ve got to be born with.”

Mattawan scored 14 points in the opening quarter on a 7-yard run by quarterback Tristan Jones and an 80-yard run by Keanu Sanders after the Vikings threw an interception in the end zone.

The Wildcats made it 28-0 at halftime on a 4-yard run by Robert Varela and a 1-yard run by Logan Buchler.

In its season opener, Niles improved in the second half and actually outplayed Kalamazoo Loy Norrix. That was not the case Thursday night despite scoring its lone touchdown of the contest.

Mattawan tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter after the Vikings scored on a 9-yard pass from Alex Harpenau to Camron Canniff.

Buchler scored on a 20-yard run, while Sanders hauled in a 52-yard scoring strike from Jones as the Wildcats put the game out of reach.

“The last game, we at least improved during the game,” Jones said. “Tonight, we got worse. We’ve got to get our heads back into it and just play better.”

Noah McNeal ended the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard run.

The Wildcats finished the night with 417 yards in total offense, including 306 yards rushing.

Niles (0-2) will try to regroup before heading to Benton Harbor Friday. The Tigers picked up their first win of the season under new coach Elliott Uzelac with a 14-9 victory over Battle Creek Central.

 

MATTAWAN 48, NILES 6

At Niles

Mattawan       14       14       13       7 – 48

Niles                0          0          6          0 – 6

M – Tristan Jones 7 run (Steffan Timmer kick)

M – Keanu Sanders 80 run (Steffan Timmer kick)

M – Robert Varela 4 run (kick failed)

M – Logan Buchler 1 run (Keanu Sanders run)

N – Camron Canniff 9 pass from Alex Harpenau (kick failed)

M – Logan Buchler 20 run (Steffan Timmer kick)

M – Keanu Sanders 52 pass from Tristan Jones (run failed)

M – Noah McNeal 1 run (Steffan Timmer kick)