Niles tops Portland for first regional title in school history (Full Story)

History was made Friday night when Niles edged Portland in a 37-34 thriller to win its first football regional title in school history.

In this marathon of scoring, Niles struck first with a 30-yard touchdown run by Sam Rucker, giving the Vikings a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Niles scored again to take a 14-0 lead, but Portland answered with just over two minutes left in the first half making it 14-7.

The next two minutes were wild. Niles took a 21-7 lead with a Payton Gordon 45-yard touchdown run. Portland then returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for their own score, making it 21-14 Niles with one minute to go in the first half.

Portland then got the ball back with under a minute left in the second quarter. The Raiders scored a 35-yard touchdown to tie the game 21-21 heading into the break.

The Raiders received the ball to start the third quarter and scored on a 22-yard pass. After trailing by 14, Portland now led 28-21 early in the third.

Niles, after forcing a fumble, capitalized with another Rucker rushing touchdown and added a two-point conversion to take a 29-28 lead entering the fourth quarter.

With just over six minutes remaining in the game, Portland scored a one-yard touchdown to take a 34-29 lead.

Niles answered with another touchdown and two-point conversion, ultimately sealing the historic win for their program.