By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
It was more of the same story for Niles at Battle Creek Central Friday night, according to head coach Dave Janicki.
The Vikings' defense was unable to stop the run, and their offense struggled in a 30-21 loss to the Bearcats. The loss drops Niles to 0-3.
Central used a big first half to out-distance themselves from Niles for good. The Vikings were down 24-6 at the break.
Their only score of the half came on a sneak by quarterback Nick Etzcorn, who started his first game at the position.
Still trailing late in the third quater, Etzcorn connected on a touchdown pass to Adrian Davis to pull the Vikings closer. Early in the fourth quarter, Etzcorn and Davis hooked up for another score.
The game would have been close, except a Bearcats' defender intercepted an Etzcorn pass and returned it for a touchdown early in the fourth.
Janicki said Etzcorn did well at times, but struggled at others. His two interceptions offset his two touchdown passes. Janicki said Etzcorn struggled because of his inexperience at the position.
Similar to Niles' first two games, the Vikings' running game was ineffective against Battle Creek Central. Assistant coach Mike Vota estimated that no Niles' running back went over 20 yards.
On defense, Niles gave up 323 rushing yards to the Bearcats.
While being winless is a change for Janicki and Niles after enjoying success last year, the head coach said he doesn't care about the Vikings' record. He merely wants his players to show more effort.