On a hot and humid night, Southwest Michigan’s most dominant team over the last 3 years, appeared poised to head to the locker room with the lead.

But new Lakeshore coach Mark Frey wasn’t going to let Niles have the easy road to close the first half. The Lancers scored with 2:07 left to pull within 8-7. Still not satisfied, Frey used up his timeouts on Niles’ next possession. Brandon Walsh’s punt was a line drive kick right caught at the 16 and 84 yards later, Lakeshore senior Jonah Chavez was into the end zone for the touchdown with 7 seconds left in the 1st half. The punt return for a touchdown was our Big C Lumber Big Play of the Game.

Frey’s timeout decision paid off in a major way as Lakeshore led 14-8 at halftime and road the momentum into the 3rd quarter scoring on their opening drive to take 21-8 lead.

Niles, which has defeated Lakeshore, each of the last two seasons, didn’t throw in the towel. They scored early in the 4th to pull within 21-16 but couldn’t score again as Lakeshore won 21-16.

The Lancers are 2-0 for the first time since 2021 and will face arch rival St. Joseph next week in the War by the Shore. Niles, meanwhile drops to 0-2.

Lakeshore senior quarterback Kaden Griffiths was our Lakeland Care Network Player of the game, rushing 10 times for 104 yards and completing 6 of his 9 passes for 79 more yards.