St. Joseph rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to defeat Niles 29-20 in Friday night’s season opener at Steve Upton Field at Dickinson Stadium.

The Bears fell behind 14-0 after Niles put together a pair of lengthy second-quarter touchdown drives. Kadarree Guy scored on an eight-yard run before Brandon Walsh added a two-yard touchdown with 2:35 remaining in the half.

St. Joseph’s offense came alive in the closing minutes. Caden LeClear connected with Nate Schmitt for a 33-yard touchdown with 32 seconds left, and Mitchell Wright intercepted Niles on its next play. Following a pass-interference penalty, LeClear found Gabe King for a 39-yard score with one second remaining, sending the game into halftime tied at 14.

The Bears took their first lead late in the third quarter after recovering a Niles fumble at the Vikings’ 35-yard line. Ishmael Dixon broke loose for a 25-yard run during the ensuing drive, and Dinero Mitchell finished it with a four-yard touchdown to put St. Joseph ahead 21-14.

Niles answered with Guy’s second touchdown, a 10-yard run with 5:13 remaining, but Schmitt blocked the extra point to preserve a 21-20 St. Joseph lead. The Vikings recovered a Bears fumble moments later, but St. Joseph’s defense responded by forcing and recovering another Niles fumble.

LeClear then delivered the clinching score, connecting with Schmitt for a 46-yard touchdown with 1:38 left. Dixon ran in the two-point conversion to give the Bears their final nine-point margin.

LeClear completed 5 of 10 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns, with Schmitt catching two passes for 79 yards and two scores. Dixon led St. Joseph on the ground with 105 yards, while the Bears’ defense forced three turnovers. Niles finished with 245 rushing yards, led by Walsh’s 87 yards and Guy’s two touchdowns.

St. Joseph improves to 1-0 and will remain at Steve Upton Field at Dickinson Stadium next week to face Lowell, which opened its season with a 27-21 loss to East Grand Rapids.