Edwardsburg tops Niles to extend streak to 41 straight
Published 8:21 am Saturday, September 10, 2022
Eddies Brendan Seabolt (23) blocks the punt by Niles punter Sam Rucker (14) In the Eddies’ 45-7 win Friday night. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Niles QB Talon Brawley (2) with the pitch during the matchup with Edwardsburg Friday night. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Edwardsburg linebacker Blake Ludwick (59) with the big hit on Niles QB Talon Brawly (2). (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Julian Means-Flewellen (1) fumbles on a kick return In the Vikings’ Wolverine Conference game with host Edwardsburg. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Niles’ Julian Means-Flewellen (1) looks for running room against the Eddies. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Edwardsburg RB Colton Strawderman (32) scores a touchdown as Edwardsburg extends its Wolverine Conference winning streak to 41 straight. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Edwardsburg RB Andrew Colvin (3) stiff arms Niles Peyton Gordon (8). (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Edwardsburg QB Brendan Madison (5) breaks a tackle attempt by Niles defender Peyton Gordon (8). (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Edwardsburg RB Mikey Pryor (36) hits open field on his way to a long touchdown run against the Vikings Friday night. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
Julian Means-Flewellen (1) of Niles breaks a 57-yard touchdown run for the Vikings’ lone touchdown Friday night. (Leader photo JEFF DOUGLAS)
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EDWARDSBURG — The streak continues.
Edwardsburg rode an excellent defensive display to an easy 45-7 Wolverine Conference victory over visiting Niles at Leo Hoffman Field Friday night.
The Eddies (2-1, 2-0 Wolverine) have won 41 consecutive league contests, while the Vikings (1-2, 0-2 Wolverine) have lost both conference games this season.
Penalties hurt Niles on its first offensive possession of the game, and it only got worse when Brenden Seabolt blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone.
The defense continued the pressure on the next Vikings possession, causing two more penalties and forcing another punt.
“We talked about being physical and turning the ball over this week,” said Edwardsburg Head Coach Kevin Bartz. “We did all of those things, defensively getting the turnovers was the key tonight.”
Colton Strawderman scored the first of five offensive touchdowns for the Eddies to make the score 14-0 in the opening quarter.
Andrew Colvin forced the first of four Niles turnovers on the ensuing possession. He picked off a Talon Brawley pass after a 20-play, 12-minute drive that could have swung the momentum in the Vikings’ directions if they had capitalized. Instead, Brendan Madison called his own number from 17 yards out and the Eddies led 20-0 at halftime.
“If they [Niles] score there it’s a one-score game,” Bartz said. “But we get in the interception, take control, and march down from there. I like the response we had throughout the game. We would get the turnovers and not allow the ball to go right back. The turnovers we created were converted into points.”
“The positive thing for us is that we kept it out of their [Edwardsburg’s] hands,” said Niles Head Coach Scot Shaw. “For as young as we are on the offensive line, I thought it was a great confidence booster. I felt we kicked them in the mouth a little bit that drive.”
Mikey Pryor wasted little time after halftime to increase the Eddies’ lead to 28-0. He finished with six rushes for 70 yards.
Niles would get a little bit of life on the next possession. Julian Means-Flewellen found a crease in the Edwardsburg defensive line and got the Vikings on the board from 54 yards out. He would finish with 10 rushes for 92 yards and the only Vikings touchdown.
“That score put us in striking distance,” Shaw said. “I think if we would have been able to come right back and get a stop then take it down for another score, if would be a different story. Not many people can stop Edwardsburg.”
Seabolt and Madison each scored again in the fourth quarter to put the nail in the coffin. Carter Houseworth would add a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter as well as recovered a fumble, which he almost returned for a touchdown.
Both teams will continue Wolverine Conference action Friday as Edwardsburg will travel to Vicksburg and Niles will host Three Rivers.
