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ST. JOSEPH — The Niles football team’s season opener did not go as planned Friday night.

After scoring the game’s first touchdown, the Vikings gave up 30 unanswered points to host St. Joseph in a 30-7 loss.

Quarterback Talen Bennett found Kaden Garrod on a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the Vikings up 7-0 over the Bears in the first quarter. From that point on, it was all Bears, who scored 30 points in the second and third quarters to take control of the game.

Niles was threatening in the red zone late in the fourth quarter, however the Vikings turned the ball over at the goal line with under three minutes left in the game.

The Vikings were outgained 262-220 in total yards and had two turnovers. Bennett completed 4 of 9 passes for 77 yards and one touchdown pass and added eight carries for 20 yards. Alex Anderson led the team with 33 yards rushing on nine carries. Max Rucker had one catch for 39 yards and Sam Rucker one catch for 29 yards.

On defense, Brandon Hamilton had 12 tackles and Sam Rucker had 11 to lead Niles.