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Drive for Detroit: Week 8 in Review

October 21, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A season’s worth of highlights are smashing into these final weeks of the regular season.

So this Week 8 “Review” starts with some table-setters before we try to catch up with many more headliners from the weekend.

• River Rouge downed Detroit Catholic Central 16-3 in a meeting of league champions.

• Belleville got past Livonia Franklin and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley defeated Romeo to lock up outright league titles instead of ending up with shared championships.

• Newaygo downed Reed City, giving Central Montcalm an outright league title a year after going 0-9.

• Cedar Springs and Grand Rapids Catholic Central also earned championship shares.

• Posen’s 70-68 win over Au Gres-Sims tied for the fourth highest-scoring 8-player game in state history where the losing team scored at least 40 points.

And don’t forget: In six days, we’ll start this thing over with a fortunate 288 teams setting their sights on the ultimate high school football prize.

"Drive for Detroit" is sponsored by MI Student Aid.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Midland Dow 13, Mount Pleasant 12 THE GAME in this area for Week 6 was Mount Pleasant vs. Midland, and the Chemics’ one-point win put them in first alone in the Saginaw Valley League Red. Now rival Dow (5-3) has put itself in position to claim a share of the league title, after chasing the leaders since losing big to Saginaw Heritage in Week 5. Dow faces Midland this week. The Oilers (6-2), meanwhile, have lost their two games by yes, a combined two points. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.

Watch list Lapeer 34, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 10 The Lightning (7-1) will play Davison this week for the outright SVL Blue title. They’ll be riding a boatload of momentum not only with seven straight wins but this one over annual playoff qualifier Brother Rice (5-3) – which must win this week to guarantee a 20th postseason berth over the last 21 seasons.

Remember this one Fenton 42, Goodrich 21 The Flint Metro League split into divisions this season, and the “Upper” champion Tigers (7-1) doubled up the “Lower” champion Martians (6-2) in this first crossover matchup.

More shoutouts Flint Powers Catholic 28, Grand Blanc 24 In the crossover of runners-up in the Flint Metro League, Powers (6-2) clinched a playoff berth for the sixth straight season and put Grand Blanc (5-3) in a position where it must win this week to guarantee advancing for the fourth straight year. Marine City 34, Marysville 3 The Mariners (8-0) finished a perfect run through the Macomb Area Conference Silver and sent the Vikings (5-3) into a must-win-to-get-in playoff scenario as well.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER North Farmington 13, Farmington 9 The closing of Farmington Hills Harrison this spring certainly changed up football in this community – and heightened this rivalry in the process. The neighbors wasted no time giving this year’s matchup plenty of significance, as North’s first win over Farmington since 2015 gave the Raiders (8-0) their most wins for a season since 1984 and more importantly, the outright Oakland Activities Association Blue championship. Click for more from the Oakland Press and see highlights below from State Champs Sports Network.  

Watch list Dearborn Heights Robichaud 28, Garden City 26 The Bulldogs (7-1) and Redford Thurston ended up co-champions of the Western Wayne Athletic Conference thanks to Robichaud’s close win over Garden City (5-3) and Thurston’s one-pointer over Redford Union. Robichaud also earned a one-point win over Thurston in Week 3 but fell to Union in Week 6.

Remember this one Clarkston Everest Collegiate 27, Royal Oak Shrine 14 The Mountaineers (7-0) locked up their third straight Detroit Catholic League Intersectional II title and this one outright by sending Shrine (6-2) into second place after Shrine (6-2) last season won this matchup to force Everest to share with Madison Heights Bishop Foley.

More shoutouts Clawson 24, Clinton Township Clintondale 6 This matchup was for the outright MAC Bronze title, and Clawson (5-3) won it after finishing runner-up in the league a year ago. Clintondale (5-3) must defeat Hazel Park this week to guarantee a playoff berth. Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse 23, Sterling Heights 20 The Lancers (5-3) guaranteed their best finish since 2012 and shook up the MAC Gold, creating a final three-way shared championship between themselves, Sterling Heights (5-3) and Eastpointe (5-3).

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Mason 21, Portland 17 As the regular season worked its way to the end, these two stood alone as undefeated in all of the Capital Area Activities Conference. And Mason (8-0), enjoying perhaps its best season ever and first time at 8-0, owns the claim to the top spot in any of the divisions after handing the Raiders (7-1) their first regular-season loss since Week 2 of 2017. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.

Watch list Pewamo-Westphalia 41, Fowler 7 The Pirates (8-0) look geared up to make a run at a third MHSAA championship in four seasons as they ran their Central Michigan Athletic Conference title streak to five by handing Fowler (7-1) its lone defeat.

Remember this one DeWitt 30, St. Joseph 14 The Panthers (6-2) can lock up a share of the CAAC Blue title this week, and could also end up owning wins against two more league champs if St. Joseph (6-2) gets past Portage Northern on Friday.

More shoutouts Lansing Catholic 56, Fowlerville 7 Since falling to Portland by a point in Week 5, Lansing Catholic (7-1) has won its next three by a combined 136-21 including this week scoring the most Fowlerville (6-2) had given up since 2015. Williamston 35, Olivet 28 The Hornets (5-3) entered Week 7 at 4-2 and with three undefeated teams left on their schedule. They fell to Mason, but this weekend handed Olivet (7-1) its lone loss. Next up: P-W with the playoffs on the line.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Maple City Glen Lake 42, Charlevoix 18 The Lakers (7-1) quickly bounced back from a Week 7 loss to Kingsley to lock up the Northern Michigan Football League Leaders championship, their fourth straight. Glen Lake with a win this week also can finish its best regular season since 2013. Charlevoix (5-3) ended second in the Leaders and must defeat NMFL Legacy contender Harbor Springs this week to guarantee getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle and see highlights below from MI Sports Now.

Watch list McBain 27, Beal City 0 From a 1-3 start, McBain (5-3) has jumped all the way to the verge of a playoff berth. And the Ramblers should be Houghton Lake’s second-favorite team, as this win created a shared Highland Conference championship between the Bobcats and the Aggies (7-1).

Remember this one Traverse City Central 62, Escanaba 7 Since falling to DeWitt on opening night, Central (7-1) has been on a tear winning all but one of its games by at least 32 points. Including a Week 2 nine-point win over Marquette, this gave the Trojans victories against the top two teams in the Great Northern Conference and after Central fell to the Eskymos (6-2) a year ago.

More shoutouts Ogemaw Heights 24, Grayling 14 The Falcons (6-2) clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 and at six wins have as many as the last five seasons combined. East Jordan 21, Mancelona 6 While there will be no playoffs this season for the Red Devils, they’ve improved substantially after two straight one-win seasons – and may have stifled the playoff hopes for Mancelona (4-4), which must win this week and hope to make the field for the first time since 2014 as an additional qualifier.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Milan 20, Carleton Airport 6 The Big Reds (8-0) finished a perfect run through a Huron League that could send half its teams to the playoffs if Carleton Airport (5-3) can finish the regular season with a win this week. Milan had finished second both seasons since its last championship in 2016, and this year’s was the Big Reds’ first outright league title since 2013. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Addison 48, Napoleon 10 The Panthers (7-1) locked up their second Cascades Conference championship in three seasons, and this one outright. A win this week would guarantee Addison its best regular-season record since 2006.

Remember this one Hillsdale 21, Brooklyn Columbia Central 6 The Hornets shared the Lenawee County Athletic Association title last season with Columbia Central (4-4), and this time downed the Golden Eagles to clinch a share. Hillsdale (8-0) can win it outright this week against Dundee.

More shoutouts Grass Lake 25, Manchester 8 The Warriors (7-1) ended up second in the Cascades Conference after winning a year ago, and pushed third-place Manchester (5-3) into a must-win situation this week as the Flying Dutchmen look to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Jackson Lumen Christi 49, Battle Creek Pennfield 14 The Titans (8-0) have won three Interstate 8 Athletic Conference titles in four seasons and the last two outright. This win extended their overall winning streak to 31.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Lawton 20, Saugatuck 14 The Blue Devils (8-0) avoided a potential three-team championship in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore with wins the last two weeks over Fennville and then Saugatuck (3-5), which finished tied for second. The league title is Lawton’s first since 2012 and first outright since 2010, and the Blue Devils also can equal that team’s perfect regular season with a win over Comstock this week. Click below for highlights from FOX17.

Watch list Battle Creek Lakeview 54, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 14 The Spartans (8-0) locked up their first Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East title since 2015 and outright league championship since 2014. They also moved to 8-0 for the first time since 2013, with a chance to avenge last year’s loss to Battle Creek Harper Creek up next.  

Remember this one White Pigeon 8, Mendon 6 The Chiefs (7-1) made headlines a year ago when they beat Mendon (6-2) for the first time in two decades, but they then fell to the Hornets five weeks later in a first-round playoff game – and by this same score, 8-6. Both are headed to the postseason again, with another rematch possible.

More shoutouts Constantine 40, Kalamazoo United 15 The Falcons (6-2) knocked United out of a tie for first place in the SAC Valley but now will be the Titans’ biggest fans – United (4-4) plays first-place Schoolcraft this week, and with a win would create a three-team shared title. Mattawan 35, Portage Central 7 The Wildcats (4-4) kept their hopes for a third-straight playoff berth alive while putting Portage Central (4-4) also in additional qualifier territory as it seeks to extend a seven-year postseason streak.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Marquette 37, Gladstone 14 The Redmen (4-4) edged closer to earning an additional qualifier spot in the playoff field, but that obviously was secondary this weekend as they also clinched a share of the Great Northern Conference title for the second-straight year. Marquette will play Kingsford this week for the outright league title, with the hope as well that another win will get them into the postseason for the first time since 2014. Click for more from the Marquette Mining Journal.

Watch list Iron Mountain 51, L’Anse 6 The Mountaineers (8-0) locked up a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper championship, and can both clinch it outright and finish their first perfect regular season since 2011 with a win Friday against winless Gogebic.

Remember this one Menominee 47, Kingsford 8 After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 1995, Menominee (5-3) kept its hopes alive of returning – while sending Kingsford (4-4) into an additional qualifier situation after the Flivvers also missed last season for the first time since 2014. Next up for the Maroons: undefeated Hopkins.

More shoutouts Ishpeming 54, Munising 6 The Hematites (6-2) clinched a share of the West-PAC Iron title and moved to 12-0 in the league in their two seasons as a member. Lake Linden-Hubbell 42, Bark River-Harris 0 The Lakes (5-3) moved one win closer to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and earned some key bonus points as Bark River-Harris (5-3) also is working for a postseason berth.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Muskegon 53, Muskegon Mona Shores 0 The score says it all as the Big Reds (8-0) dominated the reigning Division 2 runner-up – and be sure potential playoff opponents are listening. Muskegon clinched a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Black for the fourth straight season and has outscored its first five league opponents by a combined 278-10 with four shutouts. Mona Shores (6-2) averaged 37 points per game entering the night. Click for more from the Muskegon Chronicle.

Watch list Muskegon Oakridge 27, Ravenna 20 (OT) The Eagles (8-0) locked up their first West Michigan Conference title since 2016 by scoring the game’s final 20 points. Ravenna (6-2) also entered the night unbeaten in league play and has guaranteed its first playoff berth since 2016.

Remember this one Grandville 30, Rockford 3 The Bulldogs (7-1) were rewarded for persevering after falling to Hudsonville by 23 in Week 6, as Rockford (7-1) went on to defeat Hudsonville the next week and now Grandville and Rockford sit tied for first in the O-K Red with a league game to play for both.

More shoutouts Grand Rapids Christian 38, East Grand Rapids 31 This matchup has determined at least a share of the O-K Gold championship now four straight seasons, as the Eagles (6-2) clinched a share and sent EGR (5-3) into a must-win playoff scenario. Byron Center 33, Hudsonville Unity Christian 20 The Bulldogs (8-0) clinched a share of the O-K Green title for the first time since 2016 and made things tougher for the reigning Division 5 champion Crusaders (5-3), who must face Zeeland East this week with a return to the postseason on the line.

8-Player

HEADLINER Crystal Falls Forest Park 22, Morrice 14 This matchup came together as a result of Forest Park and Morrice’s original opponents being unable to play – and ended up becoming one of the most notable 8-player games this fall. The Orioles (7-1) had won 20 straight (including 13 during last season’s perfect run to the Division 1 title) and given up only 18 points over their first seven games. The Trojans (6-2) got up 16-0 and scored the final go-ahead points with 3:13 to play. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Suttons Bay 29, Onekama 18 The first meeting between these two, a 20-14 Suttons Bay win in Week 4, was a late add and nonleague. This one was for the Midwest Central Michigan Conference West title, and Suttons Bay (8-0) held on again to win the championship outright by handing Onekama (5-3) its only league defeat. 

Remember this one Deckerville 42, Kingston 34 The Eagles (8-0) locked up a share of a fourth straight North Central Thumb League Blue championship, but got their first single-digit game of the season from the rival Cardinals (6-2) 

More shoutouts Newberry 20, Brimley 18 The Indians (5-3) would have fallen just outside the playoff field if the regular season had ended a week ago, but defeating Brimley (5-3) could end up the eventual difference. Gaylord St. Mary 65, Mio 28 The Snowbirds (3-5) had to forfeit four wins last week, but a slim chance of making the playoffs remained – and they took a big step toward making it a reality getting past Mio (7-1).

Second Half’s weekly “Drive for Detroit” previews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Clinton Township Chippewa Valley's Myles Harris (4) outraces a Romeo defender for a kickoff return touchdown Friday. (Photo by Chris Mudd Photography.)

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.

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.

Southwest CorridorBut 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.

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)."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.

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.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.

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."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 HassingerScott 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.)