PHOTO STORY: Niles falls to Goodrich 35-6 in D4 Championship

Published 4:06 pm Friday, November 29, 2024

By Max Harden

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

DETROIT — A historic season that saw the Niles football team make their first-ever appearance in a state championship has come to an end.

The Vikings (12-2) fell to the Goodrich Martians (13-1) Friday in the MHSAA Division 4 State Championship game.

Peyton Gordon had four carries for 39 yards and a 35-yard touchdown and Sam Rucker had 9 carries for 44 yards. Talen Bennett completed 1 of 3 passes for seven yards and an interception. Paul Hess led the defense with 12 tackles and Sheldon Cornelius and Sam Rucker had eight tackles.

Goodrich quarterback Tanner Mazich completed 6 of 9 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown and Chase Burnett had 28 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns while Jakoby Lagat added 76 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. Max Macklem tallied four catches for 100 yards and one touchdown catch.

The Vikings got the ball to start the game but were unable to sustain the drive and were forced to punt. Goodrich capped a 10-play 68 yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown strike from Tanner Mazich to Max Macklem on 4th and 6 to go up 7-0.

After forcing a three-and-out on defense, Goodrich embarked on an 11 play, 74-yard scoring drive – this one capped by a 1-yard Chase Burnett run, to take a 14-0 lead over the Vikings.

The Vikings ensuing drive got off to a good start with Sam Rucker taking an 18-yard pitch to the Niles 44. But a sack on Bennett, a holding penalty and a Bennett interception led to a Burnett touchdown run on the other end to make it 21-0 with 5:09.

Another Vikings drive ended with a 3-and-out, with Goodrich taking over on their 53-yard line. The Martians marched 52 yards on nine plays to the Niles 1-yard-line attempting to score but time expired.

The Vikings were outgained 255-34 in the first half. 

Goodrich received the ball to start the second half and picked up where they left off. The Martians capped a 16-play, 73-yard drive with a 1-yard Colton Burnett touchdown run. The play was reviewed after officials questioned whether Burnett crossed the plan, with officials determining the play stood.

Another Niles 3-and-out led to Goodrich receiving the ball on the Niles 45. The Martians moved the ball down the field and Jakoby Lagat scored a 12-yard touchdown to put the Martians up 35-0 with 11:55 remaining. 

Niles’ defense forced a turnover on downs and drove 76 yards in six plays, capped by a 35-yard Peyton Gordon touchdown run to trim the deficit to 36-6 with one minute remaining.

The Martians outgained Goodrich 426-96 in total yards.

Leaderpub.com will be updated with more D4 championship coverage.

More Breaking News

Cassopolis cancels last two games of football season

Police chase ends in fiery crash into Saylor’s Pizza Port

Shelton’s Farm Market to close after 77 years

Dowagiac issues advisory after elevated lead levels found in tested homes

Print Article

SportsPlus