GERMANTOWN – The Versailles football team struggled with Valley View’s big play ability, and it ultimately cost the Tigers a victory.
The Spartans scored 21 points on three plays of more than 60 yards. The Spartans scored on a 60-yard pass in the first quarter and an 87-yard kickoff return just before the half. They put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 67-yard run.
Valley View drew first blood with the long pass, but the Tigers responded with a Kyle Subler 10-yard run late in the first quarter. Subler was able to find holes in the defense and spark the Tigers.
“Kyle’s a good running back,” Versailles coach Adam Miller said. “We have two good weapons in Collin (Peters) and Kyle.”
Valley View came back with a 28-yard field goal to retake the lead.
The Tigers were able to recover a fumble at their own 42 that set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Peters.
With 2:12 left in the half, the Tigers looked to take a 14-10 lead into the locker room. The Spartans had other plans as the kickoff was on the turf, and the Spartan player was able to pick it up, barely keeping his knees off the ground, and took it to the end zone for an 87-yard kickoff return. The Spartan went to the locker room with a 17-14 lead.
The Tiger passing game was able to beat the Spartan defense deep most of the game. Alex Wendel was Jared Niekamp’s favorite target. Niekamp hooked up with Wendel on multiple deep plays. Wendel scored on a 59-yard screen play, but it was called back on a block in the back.
Valley View scored on a 32-yard pass play with eight minutes left in the game to go up 24-14.
The Tigers would not give up though and scored in less than three minutes when Peters scored on a 5-yard run. A two point conversion pass to A.J. Ahrens had the Tigers down 24-22.
Valley View closed out the scoring on a 67-yard run, making the final score 31-22.
“Valley View is a good team. I’m not taking any credit away from them, but we really beat ourselves today,” Miller said. “We had the opportunity to win, and we didn’t do it.”
The Tigers look to get back above .500 on Friday when they play host to Delphos St. Johns.
