NILES — If the Niles football team is going to have a winning season it had better figure out a way to put points on the scoreboard.

For the second straight week, the Vikings were shut out by opponents — St. Joseph and Lakeshore — in SMAC West division games that were winnable for Niles.

The frustration is mounting for head coach Joe Sassano and his staff as the defense continues to play well and the special teams are doing their job, too.

That points the finger squarely at the offense, which had less than 100 yards in the loss to the Bears and managed only 117 yards against the Lancers Friday night.

“I feel bad for all the kids, but for the defense to come out here and hold them to seven points was outstanding,” Sassano said. “We just have to figure out a way to get points on the board offensively. Being shut out two weeks in a row is unacceptable. Some people are going to have to own up to their performances and we have to get it fixed.”

In the loss against St. Joseph, the Vikings turned the ball over five times, including three in the red zone and two in the end zone.

While Niles more than cut their turnovers in half with just two interceptions, both were crucial.

The second interception was returned to the Vikings’ 19-yard line and set up the game’s only touchdown.

Niles did get more than 100 yards on the ground for the second time in three games, led by Javond Ball’s 71 yards on 16 carries. Cole Simpson added 34 yards on eight carries.

With that being said, Niles averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on the ground and just 2.7 yards per play for the entire game.

“We hit some holes and we were more consistent,” Sassano said. “Part of it was me not being comfortable throwing the ball. But there were times where he had to throw it out of necessity hoping we would hit one.”

But Sassano knows that his team cannot abandon the pass.

“We have to be able to balance that out with some passing,” he said.