By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - From the start of Niles' homecoming football game against Marshall Friday night, it appeared the Vikings were going to walk away with a victory over the Redhawks.
Ben Brandstatter opened up the scoring in the first quarter on a 19-yard touchdown run at the 7:02 mark.
Blaise Nsengiyumua added the extra point to give Niles an early 7-0 lead.
A little over five minutes later, Nick Etzcorn caught a 65-yard pass from quarterback Jake Messner to add the Vikings' second touchdown to the scoreboard.
Nsengiyumua again added the extra point, to put Niles ahead 14-0 after only one quarter of play.
Unfortunately, those were the only two times Niles would hit pay dirt for the rest of the contest.
Marshall exploded in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns, one in the first 30 seconds of the period.
Adam McCormack scored a touchdown on a one-yard run.
On a Niles fourth down, a snap over Lyle Watson's head forced him to run as Marshall defenders charged, resulting in a loss of eight yards, putting Marshall on the 31-yard line.
On the Redhawks' first play, Ryan Sharpley ran the ball 31-yards to allow Marshall to tie Niles at 14 with 7:21 left in the first half.
Dan Nielsen scored on a 44-yard pass from Sharpley to give Marshall its first lead of the night, 21-14.
The second half took a turn for the worse for Niles as Marshall scored three additional touchdowns.
Janicki stated that some of his kids just &#8221did their own stuff and didn't do what they were supposed to.“;
Sharpley was the first to score for the Redhawks in the third on a 2-yard run at the 7:21 mark.
Mike Brotherton hit pay dirt with 3:37 on the clock on a 17-yard pass from Sharpley and Isaac Loughrige scored Marshall's final touchdown with 8:12 to play in the fourth on a six-yard run.
David Boehmer made successful PATs after all of Marshall's touchdowns.
Brandstatter had 68 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Stephenson, who returned after two games off due to a concussion, added 4 -rushing yards for 15 carries.
Janicki admitted that Watson, who spent most of the game on the sidelines or punting the ball, was still nursing a high ankle sprain injury and they decided to limit his playing time.
Messner completed six of 12 passes for 94 yards and one touchdown on the night.
Marshall's Loughrige had 75 yards for 12 carries, while Sharpley completed 10 of 17 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns.
The big game will take place next Friday on Niles' home field as the Vikes and the Dowagiac Chieftains meet for the last time in a battle for a Big 16 win, bragging rights and the blue and black plaque. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Marshall 0 21 35 – 42
Niles 14 14 14 14 – 14
N – Ben Brandstatter 19 run
(Blaise Nsengiyuma kick)
N – Nick Etzcorn 65 yard pass,
Jake Messner
(Nsengiyuma kick)
M – Adam McCormack 1 run
(David Boehmer kick)
M – Ryan Sharpley 31 run
(Boehmer kick)
M – Dan Nielsen 44 yard pass, Sharpley
(Boehmer kick)
M – Sharpley 2 run
(Boehmer kick)
M – Mike Brotherton 17 yard pass, Sharpley
(Boehmer kick)
M – Isaac loughrige 6 run
(Boehmer kick)
Total first downs: Niles 8, Marshall 21; Total rushing yards: Niles 40-70, Marshall 37-226; Passing yards: Niles 94, Marshall 206; Penalties: Niles 4-35, Marshall 6-53.