Niles comes from behind to edge Mattawan 20-15
Published 2:53 pm Friday, September 2, 2016
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MATTAWAN — Quarterback Alex Harpenau scored the winning touchdown with 39 seconds remaining to give Niles a come-from-behind 20-15 win over host Mattawan Thursday night.
Harpenau’s 3-yard run helped the Vikings overcome what appeared to be a loss after Brady Neel of Mattawan had put the Wildcats on top 15-12 with 1:38 remaining in the SMAC West Division contest.
The win was the second straight for Niles, which was 2-7 last season.
Defense dominated the opening half of the contest.
Mattawan (0-2) got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Mitchell Begeman found Jed Wolthuis with an 18-yard touchdown pass.
Niles, which is 2-0 for the second time in three years, cut the lead to 7-6 with a Harpenau to Tre Gray touchdown pass.
Niles took its first lead of the game in the fourth quarter when Findeisen scored to give the Vikings a 12-7 advantage.
Harpenau was 14-of-25 for 123 yards and an interception and a touchdown for the Vikings. He also rushed for 31 yards.
The Vikings are on the road again Friday night as they head to Goshen, Indiana to face Fairfield.
NILES 20, MATTAWAN 15
At Mattawan
Niles 0 0 6 14 – 20
Mattawan 0 7 0 8 – 15
M – Jed Wolthuis 18 pass from Mitchell Begeman (kick good).
N – Trey Gray 4 pass from Alex Harpenau (conversion failed).
N – Mitchell Findeisen 2 run (conversion failed).
M – Brady Neel 24 run (conversion good).
N – Harpenau 3 run (conversion good).
Varsity records: Niles 2-0, Mattawan 0-2.