By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

NILES

Friday’s All-American Conference game between Beaver Local and Niles had “trap” written all over it.

The Red Dragons were coming off an emotional win against longtime nemesis Poland, with Canfield waiting in the wings.

The Beavers came into Bo Rein Stadium 0-17 lifetime against AAC opponents.

For much of the game, Niles did everything in its power to take the bait. However, in the end the Red Dragons prevailed 43-23 in what was a wild affair from the opening kickoff.

The win lifts the Dragons’ record to 5-0 (2-0). Beaver Local falls to 1-4 (0-2).

The game featured 35 first-quarter points, a pair of first-quarter kickoff returns for touchdowns, a pair of safeties, a 63-yard pass play for a score, and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a score.

Beaver Local quarterback Austin Brooks completed 8-of-20 passes for 158 yards in the first half, but was 0-for-8 with an interception after halftime. Niles quarterback Stefan Yuhas carried the ball 38 times for 264 yards.

Oh, and the game included 21 penalties, including 13 on Niles for 135 yards.

“We came in knowing that Beaver Local was an improved team, and we were worried that there would be a bit of a letdown emotionally,” Niles coach Brian Shaner said. “We had some missed tackles and missed assignments. We need to clean things up, because we’re now getting into the really tough part of our schedule.”

Shaner was especially disappointed with the penalties committed by his team, which included six for 15 yards apiece.

“I just don’t understand why we played selfish football,” Shaner said. “The personal fouls were uncalled for, and that’s not how these kids are coached. But I do like the way these kids responded when they faced adversity.”

The tone of the game was set on the opening play. Niles senior Aaron Watson pulled in the kickoff at the 22, cut to his left and raced 78 yards down the sidelines to give the Dragons a 7-0 lead.

It took Beaver Local just three plays to answer. On a third-and-8 on their first possession, the Beavers scored on a Brooks-to-Phillip Boehm 63-yard pass.

Niles scored two more first-quarter TDs on runs of 13 and 6 yards by John Cicero. Sandwiched in between the scores was an 85-yard kickoff return by Boehm.

“We’re giving up too many big plays, that’s been a concern,” Shaner said. “We still have issues on special teams that need to be addressed.”