2018 Week 6 Football Playoff Listing
September 25, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Here is a list of MHSAA football playing schools, displaying their win-loss records and playoff averages through the fifth week of the season.
Schools on this list are in enrollment order for 11-player teams, with 8-player teams ordered by playoff average. An asterisk (*) beside a record indicates a team has eight or fewer games scheduled.
Those schools with 11-player teams with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules, or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer, will qualify for the MHSAA Football Playoffs beginning Oct. 26. Schools with 5-4, 4-3 or 4-4 records may qualify if the number of potential qualifiers by win total does not reach the 256 mark. Schools with six or more wins playing nine-game schedules or five or more wins playing eight games or fewer may be subtracted from the field based on playoff average if the number of potential qualifiers exceeds the 256 mark.
Once the 256 qualifying schools are determined, they will be divided by enrollment groups into eight equal divisions of 32 schools, and then drawn into regions of eight teams each and districts of four teams each. Those schools with 8-player teams will be ranked by playoff average at season’s end, and the top 32 programs will then be divided into two divisions of 16 each based on enrollment. The playoff in that division also begins Oct. 26.
To review a list of all football playoff schools, individual school playoff point details and to report errors, visit the Football page of the MHSAA Website.
The announcement of the qualifiers and first-round pairings for both the 11 and 8-player playoffs will take place Oct. 21 on the Selection Sunday Show on FOX Sports Detroit. The playoff qualifiers and pairings will be posted to the MHSAA Website following the Selection Sunday Show.
11-Player Playoff Listing
1. Macomb Dakota, 3114, 4-1, 72.800
2. Dearborn Fordson, 2795, 5-0, 92.800
3. East Kentwood, 2651, 4-1, 77.600
4. Grand Blanc, 2637, 4-1, 79.200
5. Clarkston, 2548, 5-0, 99.200
6. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 2462, 5-0, 104.000
7. Detroit Cass Tech, 2432, 5-0, 86.400
8. Howell, 2387, 3-2, 57.200
9. Canton, 2260, 3-2, 58.600
10. Brighton, 2202, 4-1, 79.200
11. Holland West Ottawa, 2190, 4-1, 72.600
12. Oxford, 2170, 3-2, 61.800
13. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 2115, 3-2, 64.200
14. Dearborn, 2106, 3-2, 52.400
15. Plymouth, 2060, 3-2, 55.400
16. Detroit Catholic Central, 2020, 4-1, 87.200
17. West Bloomfield, 2005, 4-1, 79.200
18. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, 1994, 4-1, 71.000
19. Monroe, 1949, 4-1, 72.000
20. Hudsonville, 1879, 4-1, 74.600
21. Saline, 1834, 4-1, 80.800
22. Romeo, 1779, 4-1, 80.400
23. Detroit Western International, 1773, 4-1, 59.800
24. Lapeer, 1772, 5-0, 89.600
25. White Lake Lakeland, 1740, 3-2, 55.800
26. Davison, 1687, 5-0, 94.400
27. Kalamazoo Central, 1672, 3-2, 58.200
28. Belleville, 1642, 5-0, 99.200
29. Traverse City West, 1634, 3-2, 62.800
30. Brownstown Woodhaven, 1628, 4-1, 79.000
31. Rochester Adams, 1621, 3-2, 58.600
32. Grosse Pointe South, 1593, 5-0, 94.400
33. Warren Mott, 1585, 4-1, 80.800
34. Waterford Mott, 1558, 4-1, 71.000
35. Warren DeLaSalle, 1474, 4-1, 75.200
36. Jenison, 1464, 4-1, 77.000
37. Detroit U-D Jesuit, 1456, 3-2, 50.600
38. Livonia Franklin, 1443, 3-2, 53.400
39. Livonia Churchill, 1435, 3-2, 62.400
40. Dearborn Heights Crestwood, 1424, 5-0, 86.400
41. St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 1399, 3-2, 52.000
42. Traverse City Central, 1391, 4-1, 78.800
43. Okemos, 1381, 3-2, 57.400
44. Birmingham Seaholm, 1376, 4-1, 77.600
45. Wyandotte Roosevelt, 1376, 3-2, 52.400
46. Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 1358, 3-2, 55.800
47. Oak Park, 1349, 5-0, 92.800
48. Portage Central, 1349, 4-1, 75.600
49. Roseville, 1303, 3-2, 47.800
50. Birmingham Groves, 1298, 3-2, 55.800
51. Port Huron Northern, 1295, 4-1, 77.400
52. Midland, 1289, 3-2, 52.000
53. Portage Northern, 1284, 3-2, 55.600
54. Midland Dow, 1277, 3-2, 52.600
55. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 1276, 4-1, 69.400
56. Flushing, 1275, 3-2, 63.400
57. North Farmington, 1264, 3-2, 50.800
58. Swartz Creek, 1262, 4-1, 76.000
59. Walled Lake Western, 1258, 4-1, 72.600
60. Jackson, 1229, 5-0, 91.200
61. Ypsilanti Lincoln, 1226, 4-1, 64.600
62. South Lyon, 1225, 5-0, 92.800
63. Muskegon Mona Shores, 1215, 5-0, 96.000
64. Dexter, 1172, 3-2, 47.600
65. Birmingham Brother Rice, 1168, 3-2, 64.667
66. Ferndale, 1162, 3-2, 55.800
67. Fenton, 1160, 4-1, 74.200
68. Mattawan, 1153, 3-2, 55.200
69. Detroit Martin Luther King, 1149, 4-1, 66.400
70. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 1142, 3-2, 51.800
71. Warren Woods Tower, 1126, 5-0, 73.600
72. Auburn Hills Avondale, 1115, 3-2, 52.400
73. Gibraltar Carlson, 1114, 4-1, 79.000
74. Farmington, 1111, 5-0, 96.000
75. East Lansing, 1111, 4-1, 74.800
76. Allen Park, 1105, 4-1, 80.600
77. Grand Rapids Northview, 1096, 3-2, 50.800
78. Garden City, 1080, 3-2, 52.000
79. South Lyon East, 1063, 3-2, 52.200
80. Mt. Pleasant, 1053, 5-0, 86.400
81. Muskegon, 1022, 5-0, 97.600
82. Battle Creek Central, 1014, 4-1, 69.800
83. St. Joseph, 1010, 3-2, 55.200
84. Gaylord, 1002, 4-1, 66.200
85. DeWitt, 1001, 5-0, 102.400
86. East Grand Rapids, 998, 3-2, 54.200
87. Zeeland West, 997, 4-1, 74.200
88. Cedar Springs, 992, 4-1, 76.000
89. Linden, 977, 3-2, 55.400
90. Zeeland East, 955, 4-1, 67.800
91. St. Johns, 955, 3-2, 52.200
92. Petoskey, 948, 3-2, 52.400
93. Detroit Mumford, 943, 4-1, 67.600
94. Trenton, 914, 4-1, 75.800
95. Riverview, 913, 4-1, 66.200
96. Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, 903, 5-0, 81.600
97. River Rouge, 897, 4-1, 61.600
98. Haslett, 895, 4-1, 71.000
99. Ortonville-Brandon, 887, 4-1, 77.200
100. Grand Rapids Christian, 886, 4-1, 71.200
101. Parma Western, 870, 4-1, 60.000
102. Chelsea, 851, 3-2, 61.133
103. Farmington Hills Harrison, 849, 4-1, 72.800
104. Spring Lake, 845, 5-0, 72.000
105. Fowlerville, 842, 3-2, 42.800
106. Edwardsburg, 838, 5-0, 76.800
107. Wayland Union, 829, 3-2, 54.000
108. Plainwell, 825, 4-1, 60.000
109. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 809, 4-1, 70.000
110. St. Clair, 807, 3-2, 44.400
111. Milan, 761, 4-1, 59.800
112. Goodrich, 758, 4-1, 64.600
113. Detroit Cody, 755, 4-1, 71.000
114. Allendale, 749, 3-2, 47.800
115. North Branch, 726, 4-1, 58.400
116. Croswell-Lexington, 724, 3-2, 47.800
117. Center Line, 720, 3-2, 49.200
118. Battle Creek Pennfield, 709, 4-1, 66.200
119. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 702, 4-1, 58.200
120. Sault Ste. Marie, 700, 3-2, 42.000
121. Escanaba, 691, 3-2, 54.267
122. Detroit Country Day *, 687, 3-2, 58.400
123. Three Rivers, 682, 5-0, 86.400
124. Holland Christian, 672, 3-2, 47.800
125. Paw Paw, 670, 3-2, 48.000
126. Whitehall, 669, 3-2, 44.600
127. Wyoming Kelloggsville, 663, 3-2, 45.200
128. Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 662, 4-1, 59.800
129. Ludington, 645, 3-2, 29.800
130. Alma, 643, 5-0, 73.600
131. Lake Odessa Lakewood, 643, 4-1, 63.000
132. Williamston, 619, 4-1, 75.600
133. Grand Rapids South Christian, 615, 3-2, 52.800
134. Big Rapids, 613, 3-2, 40.600
135. Grosse Ile, 609, 5-0, 75.200
136. Dearborn Heights Robichaud, 608, 5-0, 75.200
137. Hudsonville Unity Christian, 602, 5-0, 88.000
138. Harper Woods, 594, 4-1, 47.600
139. Freeland, 584, 4-1, 56.800
140. Gladwin, 575, 3-2, 37.600
141. Saginaw Swan Valley, 573, 5-0, 89.600
142. Belding, 572, 4-1, 59.800
143. Muskegon Oakridge, 571, 5-0, 70.400
144. Macomb Lutheran North, 560, 4-1, 58.000
145. Birch Run, 552, 3-2, 47.600
146. St. Clair Shores South Lake, 551, 3-2, 42.800
147. Portland, 550, 5-0, 80.000
148. Clawson, 550, 3-2, 39.000
149. Frankenmuth, 549, 4-1, 66.400
150. Olivet, 542, 5-0, 76.800
151. Detroit Osborn, 537, 4-1, 51.800
152. Lansing Catholic, 531, 4-1, 61.600
153. Cheboygan, 527, 3-2, 47.000
154. Grant, 525, 3-2, 39.400
155. Richmond, 524, 4-1, 62.600
156. Ida, 512, 4-1, 58.200
157. Hopkins, 507, 4-1, 64.800
158. Benzie Central, 505, 3-2, 46.000
159. Reed City, 504, 5-0, 83.200
160. Detroit Denby, 504, 5-0, 69.600
161. Almont, 503, 5-0, 73.600
162. Marine City, 503, 4-1, 64.800
163. Berrien Springs, 500, 4-1, 61.600
164. Dundee, 485, 3-2, 44.400
165. Manistee, 472, 5-0, 67.200
166. Durand, 468, 3-2, 39.000
167. Coloma, 460, 3-2, 46.200
168. Gladstone *, 459, 3-2, 40.800
169. Ovid-Elsie, 453, 3-2, 44.800
170. Kalamazoo Hackett, 450, 5-0, 68.800
171. Clare, 449, 4-1, 53.400
172. Montague, 445, 4-1, 53.600
173. Newaygo, 445, 3-2, 45.800
174. Kingsley, 443, 4-1, 58.400
175. Hillsdale, 441, 5-0, 68.800
176. Tawas *, 418, 3-1, 40.200
177. Michigan Center, 412, 5-0, 54.400
178. Brooklyn Columbia Central, 410, 4-1, 66.200
179. Constantine, 400, 5-0, 72.000
180. Fennville, 400, 4-1, 51.800
181. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 392, 5-0, 75.200
182. Calumet, 392, 5-0, 72.000
183. Ishpeming Westwood, 391, 3-2, 43.200
184. Millington, 390, 4-1, 60.800
185. Ithaca, 388, 4-1, 53.600
186. Ecorse, 387, 4-1, 60.000
187. Blissfield, 383, 4-1, 69.600
188. Byron, 380, 3-2, 46.400
189. Montrose, 379, 3-2, 47.600
190. Delton Kellogg, 378, 4-1, 58.200
191. Hemlock, 374, 4-1, 45.400
192. Morley Stanwood, 369, 3-2, 42.800
193. Quincy, 369, 3-2, 35.200
194. Elk Rapids, 366, 4-1, 46.800
195. Napoleon, 365, 4-1, 47.000
196. Beaverton, 362, 4-1, 52.000
197. Grass Lake, 357, 5-0, 60.800
198. Jackson Lumen Christi *, 356, 5-0, 86.400
199. Traverse City St. Francis, 355, 5-0, 84.800
200. Flint Hamady, 353, 5-0, 73.600
201. Schoolcraft, 353, 4-1, 59.800
202. Niles Brandywine, 352, 3-2, 36.200
203. Kent City, 351, 5-0, 64.000
204. Lake City, 348, 5-0, 65.600
205. Leroy Pine River, 348, 4-1, 45.200
206. L'Anse, 344, 3-2, 41.800
207. Ravenna, 344, 3-2, 36.600
208. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, 332, 3-2, 34.600
209. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 331, 4-1, 71.800
210. St. Louis, 331, 3-2, 41.400
211. Oscoda, 329, 4-1, 38.400
212. Riverview Gabriel Richard, 328, 3-2, 43.200
213. McBain, 327, 3-2, 43.000
214. Hartford, 322, 4-1, 42.000
215. Roscommon, 319, 4-1, 59.800
216. Madison Heights Madison, 316, 5-0, 89.600
217. Pewamo-Westphalia, 315, 5-0, 59.200
218. Clinton, 313, 4-1, 50.200
219. Bad Axe, 311, 3-2, 36.400
220. Detroit Community *, 308, 4-0, 48.000
221. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 306, 4-1, 58.400
222. New Lothrop, 302, 5-0, 73.600
223. Springport, 302, 5-0, 57.600
224. Sandusky, 300, 5-0, 64.000
225. Allen Park Cabrini, 300, 4-1, 43.800
226. Iron Mountain, 298, 4-1, 56.400
227. Cass City, 291, 4-1, 51.600
228. Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, 282, 4-1, 56.600
229. Harbor Springs, 280, 5-0, 56.000
230. Detroit Loyola, 280, 3-2, 47.200
231. Manton, 280, 4-1, 47.200
232. Centreville, 279, 5-0, 59.200
233. Saugatuck, 273, 4-1, 53.400
234. Sand Creek, 266, 3-2, 32.200
235. Cassopolis, 261, 5-0, 65.600
236. Saranac, 257, 3-2, 25.400
237. Concord, 255, 3-2, 38.400
238. Royal Oak Shrine Catholic, 252, 3-2, 34.400
239. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 250, 5-0, 60.800
240. Carson City-Crystal, 248, 5-0, 49.600
241. Iron River West Iron County, 246, 4-1, 47.200
242. Gwinn, 246, 4-1, 45.000
243. Reading, 244, 5-0, 67.200
244. Dansville, 244, 4-1, 44.800
245. Flint Beecher, 237, 3-2, 43.000
246. Holton, 234, 4-1, 45.200
247. Ishpeming, 233, 5-0, 60.800
248. Ubly, 232, 3-2, 38.200
249. Johannesburg-Lewiston, 226, 4-1, 47.400
250. White Pigeon, 225, 3-2, 32.000
251. Breckenridge, 224, 5-0, 60.800
252. Harbor Beach, 222, 4-1, 53.000
253. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 220, 5-0, 59.200
254. Rogers City, 220, 4-1, 48.600
255. Petersburg-Summerfield, 219, 3-2, 36.800
256. Decatur, 216, 3-2, 36.800
257. Detroit Public Safety Academy, 206, 4-1, 41.000
258. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 193, 5-0, 56.000
259. Mendon, 193, 3-2, 28.200
260. Pittsford, 186, 5-0, 54.800
261. Three Oaks River Valley, 186, 3-2, 34.400
262. Athens *, 185, 3-1, 44.000
263. Adrian Lenawee Christian, 183, 5-0, 54.000
264. Martin, 183, 3-2, 34.200
265. Frankfort, 174, 3-2, 33.000
266. Fowler, 170, 4-1, 39.200
267. Detroit Southeastern, 154, 3-2, 43.800
268. Waterford Our Lady, 128, 3-2, 35.200
269. Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 115, 5-0, 56.800
8-Player Playoff Listing
1. Colon, 162, 5-0, 54.400
2. Pickford, 156, 5-0, 54.400
3. Morrice, 182, 5-0, 52.800
4. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 173, 5-0, 48.000
5. AuGres-Sims, 160, 5-0, 48.000
6. Posen, 78, 5-0, 43.200
7. Onekama, 131, 4-1, 41.600
8. Suttons Bay, 189, 4-1, 41.200
9. Engadine, 102, 4-1, 40.800
10. Camden-Frontier, 176, 4-1, 39.000
11. Bellevue, 185, 4-1, 37.600
12. Powers North Central, 109, 4-1, 37.400
13. Mayville, 185, 4-1, 36.000
14. Hillman, 140, 4-1, 36.000
15. Stephenson, 159, 4-1, 35.067
16. Genesee, 169, 4-1, 34.800
17. Peck, 136, 4-1, 33.800
18. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 122, 3-2, 33.400
19. Deckerville, 175, 3-2, 33.200
20. Manistee Catholic Central, 181, 4-1, 32.800
21. Kingston, 187, 4-1, 32.400
22. Brethren, 143, 3-2, 31.400
23. Fife Lake Forest Area, 183, 3-2, 30.000
24. Portland St. Patrick, 102, 3-2, 30.000
25. Eben Junction Superior Central, 121, 3-2, 29.600
26. Crystal Falls Forest Park, 125, 3-2, 29.467
27. Battle Creek St. Philip, 178, 3-2, 28.600
28. Rapid River, 127, 3-2, 28.600
29. Cedarville, 151, 3-2, 26.800
30. Kinde-North Huron, 130, 3-2, 26.600
31. Tekonsha, 121, 3-2, 23.600
32. New Haven Merritt Academy, 154, 2-3, 22.400
33. Bellaire, 131, 2-3, 21.450
34. Webberville, 176, 2-3, 20.800
35. Onaway, 187, 2-3, 20.200
36. Central Lake *, 190, 2-2, 20.000
37. Pellston, 167, 2-3, 19.400
38. Caseville *, 95, 2-2, 18.400
39. Mesick, 202, 2-3, 17.800
40. Marion, 139, 2-3, 17.600
41. Burr Oak, 74, 2-3, 17.400
42. North Adams-Jerome, 146, 2-3, 17.000
43. Rudyard, 159, 2-3, 16.400
44. Bay City All Saints, 77, 2-3, 16.000
45. Ontonagon, 173, 2-3, 15.800
46. Waldron, 65, 2-3, 13.800
47. Bear Lake *, 94, 1-3, 11.000
48. Lawrence, 171, 1-4, 10.800
49. Hale, 122, 1-4, 10.800
50. Atlanta, 74, 1-4, 9.600
51. Owendale-Gagetown, 57, 1-4, 9.600
52. St. Helen Charlton Heston Academy, 156, 1-4, 8.800
53. Ashley, 94, 1-4, 8.800
54. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, 201, 1-4, 7.800
55. Brimley, 154, 1-4, 7.800
56. Burton Madison Academy, 163, 1-4, 7.250
57. Flint International Academy, 171, 0-5, 2.400
58. Carney-Nadeau, 133, 0-5, 2.200
59. Felch North Dickinson, 83, 0-5, 2.000
60. Litchfield, 81, 0-5, 1.800
61. Baldwin *, 120, 0-4, 1.650
62. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 100, 0-5, 1.600
After Reaching Historic Heights, Niles Eager to Continue Climb Under Shaw
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
September 9, 2025
NILES – Scot Shaw admits he was just looking to have a little fun when he accepted Matt Brawley's offer five years ago to become the new football coach at Niles.
But anyone aware of his past success knew it wouldn't take long for Shaw – a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association's Hall of Fame – to affect change in the culture of the Niles program.
Shaw, a former head coach at Elkhart Memorial, Ind., from 2015-2019, returned to the sidelines after sitting out 2020 during COVID-19.
Prior to Shaw's arrival, Niles hadn't had a winning season since 2014. Following six consecutive sub-.500 finishes, Niles compiled a 5-4 mark in Shaw's first season as several underclassmen played key roles and set the Vikings up for future success.
Not counting the shortened 200 season – when all schools were playoff eligible – Niles secured its first postseason berth since 2003 and went 6-5 in Shaw's second season, losing 24-17 in a Division 4 District Final to Edwardsburg. The Vikings improved to 10-2 in 2023, losing a heartbreaking 21-14 Regional decision to Portland but winning the first of now two straight Wolverine Conference titles.
Their hard work came to further fruition last fall as they finished 12-2 and secured league, District and Regional tiles, the latter by avenging the 2023 loss to Portland 37-34. Niles then doubled up perennial state power Grand Rapids South Christian 62-30 in a Semifinal at Armstrong Field in Three Rivers before falling to Goodrich a week later in the Division 4 championship game at Ford Field, 35-6.
Shaw is 35-13 at Niles with a career win-loss record of 246-120.
"When I got here, I was coming off a one-year retirement. I just wanted to have some fun and run a different offense. My son Kyle is an assistant coach at Mishawaka (Ind.), and they run the flexbone," Shaw said. "Coming in … I don't think the expectations were that high, so as a coaching staff you think about what you can do to improve things. So at least in my past experience, we've always been pretty good and have had high expectations. We changed the culture here at Niles by asking our players to come to practice, do the best they can every day and be more physical than the people we play. So far those three principles have worked out well and put this program where it is now."
Shaw used the 2024 home playoff win over Portland to describe how everything has come full circle.
"In that game we were ahead of Portland, then gave the lead up and we could've given up. But we came back and scored in the last few seconds to win in the Regional Finals,” Shaw said. “Having a belief that you can win despite all odds is a huge thing now and instilled in our kids. They don't doubt themselves or each other any longer.”
Niles outscored opponents 535-160 in 2024, posting six shutouts. The Vikings averaged 38.2 points per game while allowing just 11.4 per contest.
Freshman quarterback Will Turnbull now controls the Vikings' flexbone attack following the graduation of Talen Bennett. So far, Turnbull has met the challenge by completing 10-of-27 passes for 117 yards and one TD with three interceptions. He's also run for a pair of TDs.
"The quarterbacks we've had so far at Niles have been very intelligent, smart and very good at reading opposing defenses. Will is an excellent athlete who throws the ball well and is a little water bug when he runs it. He's been able to pick up our offense pretty quickly," Shaw said.
Niles also graduated 1,000-yard rusher Sam Rucker, but sophomore Brandon Walsh has stepped up at that spot with 63 carries for 303 yards and four TDs. Anderson also handles some of the rushing load, along with Elijah Norris, who had 23 touches for 120 yards during a 16-0 Week 2 win over Stevensville Lakeshore – Niles’ first victory on Lakeshore’s home field.
Junior wideout Max Rucker, along with senior tight end Brenden Olsen, are two other key ingredients on both sides of the ball for Niles.
Olsen (6-foot-7, 180 pounds) is also a standout basketball and baseball player for Niles who recently received a Division I baseball scholarship off from the University of Houston.
"It’s been a wonderful experience playing football with several cool guys and a great coaching staff. They key is just showing up every day ready to work and getting better,” Olsen said. "Our state finals loss just showed that we need to dig deeper and prepare better for teams like that down the road.
“Building good chemistry with the new guys has been easy because we have so many returners. My goals are to be more of a leader and be more involved in plays this season."
Senior all-staters Chase Brawley (6-1, 280) and Brandon Hamilton (5-11, 245) both return on the Vikings' offensive line. Knee injuries to both Hamilton and senior Trenton Scott (6-2, 280) kept them on the sidelines during the Vikings' push through the end of the 2024 regular season and playoffs. Evan Williams (5-10, 200) is another key part of the Vikings' blocking group, and junior kicker Ben Bruckner is another returning offensive weapon.
"Getting to state last year really motivated us to prepare well for this season,” Brawley said. “The experience I gained playing varsity these last three years has been invaluable. Our team motto this season is 'All In,' so we just have to remain focused to attain our goals."
Perhaps no one was more motivated to get back on the field than Hamilton, who was sidelined with that injury after Week 6.
"Last year I learned it takes all 11 guys to win a football game. Coaching from the sidelines really taught me a great deal,” Hamilton said. “I'm playing right guard and outside linebacker. We have four out of our five offensive linemen back, so we are experienced. Defensively we can fly to the ball, and we have some dudes who can really hit. That's exciting.”
Cheney, Jayelin Vawter, RJ Fielder, Bryce Zache, Malachi Burris, Rucker and Bradley Wolverton are among the team's top tacklers so far.
"It takes everyone on the team to make a big difference. The main thing we have to remember is it’s a new year,” Cheney said. “Last year's achievements don't matter, but it prepared us well for any success we have this time around."
Cheney, a senior, anchors the Niles' defense after earning all-state honors as a junior. Freshman Vaughn Ausmus also has seen time at linebacker. Other returning starters on the Vikings' defensive front include Fielder, Burris and Bryce Young.
Niles' defensive secondary will be anchored by Olsen, Rucker and Anderson.
"We have a lot of good kids coming back defensively, and the kids who are stepping up to fill in different spots realize what their responsibilities are and they have become part of our rotation," Shaw said.
Many successful stops
Shaw is a 1975 graduate of Mishawaka, where he played basketball for legendary coach Marvin Wood. Shaw also lettered in football and received the prestigious Phil Askew Mental Health Award his sophomore year at the 1973 Indiana state football finals. He then attended and played football at Butler University, earning all-Pioneer Football Conference honors in 1978 and 1979 and serving as senior captain.
From 1979-1986, Shaw taught social studies and physical education at Concord High School (Ind.) serving as an assistant coach in football, wrestling and baseball. He served as Three Rivers' varsity football coach from 1986-2004, leading that team to the MHSAA Playoffs 15 times and the Division 4 title in 2003. Shaw also served as the Wildcats' head boys track & field coach, leading them to 2000 and 2002 MITCA team championships.
Shaw then served as Grandville's head football coach from 2005-2010, leading the Bulldogs to two Ottawa-Kent Conference Red titles and two playoff appearances. He was an assistant coach at Hope College for three seasons, then served a one-year stint in 2014 as the head coach at Wayne High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., where the Generals went 9-2, won the Summitt Conference and made it to the third round of the state playoffs.
He moved on to coach four seasons at Elkhart Memorial before the school consolidated with Elkhart Central. After the one-year coaching hiatus in 2020, he took over at Niles.
Brawley, who was hired as the school's athletic director just three days before Shaw, remembers football participation nearly doubling after Shaw and his staff took over.
"Basically, Scot had only a month to put together his coaching staff and prepare the kids that first season. I accompanied the coaching staff to a three-day coaches clinic down south at Harding University. Scot is very detailed, and I remember he filled several notebooks with notes on running the Flexbone offense," Brawley recalled.
"Scot relates very well to his players and has a special knack for being able to motivate them with positive words, and he understands that kids have more going on in their life besides football. We couldn't ask for a better situation. Scot does a great job of mentoring his coaches, getting kids into the weight room. It’s truly amazing what Scot and his coaching staff have been able to do here at Niles in such a short time."
Shaw has been successful in building Niles' program in much the same manner that he developed Three Rivers into a perennial conference and state power.
"It's my sincere belief that kids want to be successful, be good and to win,” Shaw said. “It’s not enough to want to do it, but they must be taught how to do so. You are off to a great start if you have that belief that you can win, do the things that are required of you to win and then carry that out with a tremendous work ethic. The next step is to develop that talent, and it’s easier if you have the right attitude. I've been very fortunate to be able to mold attitude, a strong work ethic and a team-first attitude in building this program.”
Shaw's current group of players closely resemble some of the teams he had years ago at Three Rivers. This year’s Niles team features big, strong, physical and athletic athletes with quickness who succeed because of an extraordinary work ethic.
Niles' school enrollment increase pushed the Vikings into Division 3 this fall. They quickly have proved they belong with victories over St. Joseph (28-18) and Lakeshore (16-0). Niles could very well see either one of them again come playoff time.
"Bumping up to D3 is going to be another challenge, but it also means we're going to see some different teams in the playoffs. The community is going to expect the same type of results,” Shaw said. “As a team, we have to be able to carry on that tradition with the same type of attitude and commitment to excellence that we preach every day. You have to do that in each step along the way, and if you're lucky enough to make the playoffs then you have to be able to do whatever you can to earn yourself another Monday.”
Shaw's coaching staff includes Kyle Mikel, Dan Brawley, Dave Landon, Austin Weber, Lonnie Jones, Thane Typer, Zach Fillwock, Joel Brawley, Scott Swanson, Shane Brown and Chase Andres.
"I’m really happy with our coaching staff. They are very dedicated and they work hard during the offseason in the weight room, attending clinics, and they are very knowledgeable at the positions they coach,” Shaw said. “When we got here, we had a hard time getting coaches because of previous results. But now we have a loyalty to the guys who have helped build this while we were going through the growing pains. I had been there before at the Finals, and last year it was fun to gauge the excitement our other coaches felt.”
Honoring a community icon
Niles held its annual community-wide pep rally Sunday, Aug. 17 where all 2025 Vikings fall sports teams were introduced and long-time Niles' No. 1 fan Johnny Morrison was honored for his years of support of the athletic program. Hundreds of people attending the event wore Gold T-shirts with the words "Johnny Morrison Vikings' Legend" across the front.
"Johnny is one of the most outstanding human beings I've ever been around in my life. When you see him, he always is eager to talk about our coaching staff or our athletes. He has the biggest heart in the world," Brawley said.
Morrison, who has Down syndrome, has served as manager on the sidelines for the Vikings' football, basketball and baseball teams since 1986.
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Niles senior tailback Alex Anderson scores a touchdown during last season's 62-30 Semifinal win over Grand Rapids South Christian at Armstrong Field in Three Rivers. (2) Fifth-year Niles head coach Scot Shaw, third from left, is pictured with seniors Chase Brawley (71), Brandon Hamilton (78), Brenden Olsen (3) and Ward Cheney (5). (3) Members of the Niles cheerleading squad and student body get the crowd pumped up and showing their school spirit at a community-wide pep rally on Aug. 17. (4) The Niles athletic department and sports boosters held the pep rally to introduce the 2025 fall sports teams and honor longtime Niles' No. 1 fan Johnny Morrison. (Action photos by Scott Hassinger. Pep rally photos by Max Harden/Leader Publications.)