Niles N. takes command in second half

The stage was set for the perfect homecoming matchup as the pre-game parade festivities finished and Niles North would take on the Maine West Warriors in a Central Suburban North game.

The two teams fought back and forth until the end of a first half which ended 20-20.

However, the Niles North running attack was just too much for the Warriors (2-4, 1-2) to handle as the Vikings (3-4, 1-2) score 28 unanswered points for a 48-20 victory.

Running back Terry Turner led the Warriors, accounting for 300 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, along with a kickoff return for a touchdown in which he initially muffed.

"I always say it starts up front with the O-line," Turner said. "When one guy makes a mistake, everything goes wrong. I'm so proud of them."

The offensive line for the Vikings sprang Turner for gains of 58, 78 and 50 yards for touchdowns, and for fullback Mike Ayala for a 56-yard run himself.

The Vikings' defense came up with big stops in the second half sticking to their defensive strategy.

They made a huge goal-line stop midway through the fourth quarter, killing the Warriors' last big drive.

"Before the game started I wrote on the board the three R's: read, react and run," said Niles North head coach Scott Smith, "I said we were being too mechanical. I told the defense at half, 'we are not giving up another score.' I'm really proud of our 'D.'"

Warrior quarterback-kick returner-kicker Frank Hess was having a great game until the second half, totaling 156 yards through the air and 81 yards on the ground with 2 rushing touchdowns.

However, with the blitz-heavy defense of the Vikings, and one of the Warriors'starting offensive linemen getting injured, they had no chance to overcome adversity.

"We just couldn't put points on the board, and they ran all over us," said Maine West coach Chris Hare. "They didn't stop us. We stopped ourselves. But they wanted it more, and my hat goes off to Turner, he's great player."

The Warriors have a tough game next week against Highland Park, a more pass-savvy team.

The Vikings meet Maine East. They want to take care of some defensive hiccups due to this important game to salvage the playoffs.