By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- It is always a highly-anticipated game when Dowagiac and Niles meet on the football field, but this year even more so as the two teams will be playing for the 100th time in one of the state's oldest rivalries.
In an effort to recognize the significance of this year's game, the Niles football team will be wearing special throwback jerseys which resemble jerseys some of the Niles teams from earlier this century wore.
Niles coach Dave Janicki, with the help of Niles athletic director John Danaher and Dr. Toby Mitchell of Clear Choice Chiropractic &Holistic Wellness Center in Niles, did some research to come up with a design for the jerseys.
The jerseys, which were donated by Dr. Mitchell, will be worn only for Friday's game and then sold for cost. That money, in turn, will be donated to the Football Boosters fund. The Niles players will be given the first chance to purchase their own jerseys and, if they don't want to purchase them, the remaining jerseys will be offered to the public. Anyone interested in buying a jersey will need to contact Danaher in the Niles Athletic Department.
The idea for the jerseys was a collective effort of several people and was brought to fruition in a short amount of time. It was also a surprise for the Niles players.
Niles, now 6-1 on the year, wrapped up a third straight State Playoffs berth with its 19-14 win over Marshall last Friday night. The Vikings lead the series 48-46-5 and have won the last two meetings with the Chieftains.
Just to have a rivalry game like this is good for high school football and the two communities involved, according to Janicki.
Dowagiac is 4-3 on the season and has won its last three games. The Cheiftains' recent improvement should make for an exciting game to celebrate the 100th meeting.