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PAW PAW — Sam Rucker has played in a lot of big football games in his four years at Niles. 

Friday’s 21-0 Wolverine Conference Championship win at Falan Field against host Paw Paw was the most memorable for the 5-foot-9, 175-pound two-way senior starter at tailback and outside linebacker. 

Offensively, Sam Rucker ran the ball six times for 39 yards and caught one pass for 10. But his biggest impact was felt on defense with seven tackles and a fumble recovery that led to one of the Vikings’ three scores. If that wasn’t enough, he also had five punts averaging 40.4 yards, including a 56 yard boot.

Niles completed its second consecutive unbeaten conference season and successfully defended its league title from a year ago when the Vikings went 10-2, including a loss in the regional finals.

“This one means a lot. It’s the same situation as last year. We came out tonight and were physical did exactly what we needed to do against Paw Paw. Everyone did their job and we didn’t have any problems or issues,” Sam Rucker said.  

Sam Rucker recovered a Paw Paw fumble at the Red Wolves’ 11-yard line and scored on Talen Bennett’s 11-yard scoring pass to Peyton Gordon. Ben Bruckner added the first of his three PATs for a 7-0 Vikings’ in the waning seconds of the first half. 

“Making that play felt pretty good. Paul Hess and I are pretty good friends and he’s the one that forced the fumble then I jumped on it,” Sam Rucker said.

Niles head coach Scot Shaw complimented his star runner along with his team in a season that has seen the Vikings have to endure a rash of injuries to key players, including star junior lineman Brandon Hamilton. 

“Both teams played great defense in that first half. We were able to punch it in once and I think that took a little weight off our shoulders. We didn’t have to make too many halftime adjustments and weathered their strong play early on,” Shaw said.

“Sam does such a great job in running the ball. I’ve had a lot of good tailbacks. He plants his feet well as well as any, gets up field and defensively he’s outstanding,” Shaw said. 

Paw Paw drove inside Niles’ 40 twice in the third quarter. The Red Wolves turned the ball over on downs on the first drive and Niles’ senior Paul Hess intercepted Red Wolves signal caller Gunnar Goodell on the second.

Hess’ pick set up Niles’ second score at the 10:18 mark of the fourth quarter. Gordon capped off the 68-yard drive with a 27 yard TD dash around the left end. Bruckner’s PAT made it 14-0.

Paw Paw’s next series ended after the Red Wolves failed on another fourth down conversion attempt.

Hess scored on a one-yard plunge boosting the Vikings’ lead to 21-0 with 4:09 remaining. His run capped off a nine-play scoring drive.

Niles held a 12-9 advantage over Paw Paw in first downs. The Red Wolves outrushed the Vikings 161-128.

Bennett completed 3-of-7 passes for 72 yards, including a 51-yard completion to Max Rucker, Sam’s younger brother. 

Hess ended the night as Niles’ top ground gainer with 25 carries for 53 yards and one TD. Gordon added five trips for 37 and one TD. 

The Red Wolves, who hadn’t given up more than 15 points in a game all season, found it tough up front against a Vikings’ offensive line that sports the likes of senior Riley Cowan (5-11, 255) and sophomore Evan Williams (5-9, 200) at tackle, junior guards Malakai Burris (5-9, 225) and Chase Brawley (6-1, 280) and senior center Jordan Cunningham (6-0, 230). 

Paw Paw’s junior tailback Ben Miller paced the Red Wolves on the ground with 16 carries for 94 yards. P.J. DeYoung added 13 attempts for 27 and Bryson Newell rushed six times for 25. 

Niles’ defensive line did a great job containing Paw Paw’s speed and depth out of the backfield.

That group of Viking defenders included RJ Fielder (5-11, 200), Bryce Young (5-9, 220) and Cowan (5-11, 255).

Ward Cheney added seven tackles for the Niles’ defense. Anderson and Hess added five stops apiece, while Max Rucker finished with four. Brendan Olsen added an interception for the Vikings.

“Those three turnovers by our defense were huge momentum builders and you could tell right away how quickly it changed the game,” Sam Rucker said. 

“We’ve dealt with plenty of injuries this season and were underdogs but its given us more fuel and we’re still playing with great energy,” Sam Rucker said.

Anderson, one of Niles’ standout defensive backs, beamed with pride when asked about the Vikings’ stalwart effort on defense.

“I’m supposed to set the edge on the outside and stuff it so my safeties can come up and make a play on the runner. We have an amazing defense with some good linebackers and safeties. We know how to read our blocks and holes. Our guys know when its time to come up and put a hit on someone. There’s no words to describe how good this feels to win another conference title,” Anderson said. 

Shaw had nothing but praise for Anderson’s effort and the rest of the Vikings’ contain unit.

“Alex had a heckuva game. He’s physical and quick and probably our best tackler on defense that we have besides Sam,” Shaw added.

With a successful regular season now in the rearview mirror, Niles’ head coach said its a matter of waiting to see who the Vikings get in the first round of the state playoffs which begin next weekend.

“Our kids really believe. We always tell the kids about next man up. We had a couple kids go down before the summer was even over. Even when we lost Brandon, I didn’t hear one person say ‘Oh man its over’. They remained positive and that’s the attitude you need to have,” Shaw said.

“So many of these kids have played varsity football since their freshman year. They have alot of game reps and nothing takes them by surprise. That experience goes a long way.”

Although disapointed in the outcome, Paw Paw head coach Dennis Strey stated his team are is looking forward to the postseason.

“Our turnovers hurt us and they stopped us on a few drives. We have to clean some things up before the playoffs. We talked to our kids at halftime about coming out in the second half and scoring on that first drive. For some reason we couldn’t move the ball successfully like we have all season. Give Niles a ton of credit, they are a great football team,” Dennis Strey said.

Niles had its hands full defensively coming in against a Paw Paw offensive line that features Division I Kentucky commit Darrin Strey, Dennis’ son, who anchors the Red Wolves’ offensive line at 6-7, 300 pounds.