By Drew Terhall

DailyAdvocate.com

COLDWATER — The Versailles Tigers almost came away with a win over the undefeated Cavaliers of Coldwater. But, the Tigers couldn’t get one last score to extend the game. Versailles lost 21-14 on Oct. 13 in the rainy conditions.

Head coach Ryan Jones said it was a well-played game between two evenly matched teams. It was a game that came down to execution, especially in crucial situations.

“Same things we talked about that are important in every big game. Turnovers, all phases of the game and special teams. We had our chances for sure tonight, we just came a little short,” Jones said. “We have to clean up some execution. I got to get better as a coach for sure.”

It was a scoreless first quarter as both teams had their offensive issues. Versailles got down to the redzone on their first drive of the game, but fumbled and Coldwater recovered. On the ensuing drive, Versailles stopped Coldwater on fourth and four to get the ball back.

Later in the game, senior A.J. Griesdorn stopped a Coldwater drive on fourth down with an interception in the endzone.

Versailles couldn’t get a drive going after that and punted the ball. Jones said they knew Coldwater had the skill and athletes to make big plays through the air.

Coldwater junior quarterback Baylen Blockberger made a 47-yard pass to get the Cavaliers into Versailles territory after throwing the interception. He later found senior AJ Harlamert for a nine-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.

Versailles was close to the redzone just before the half ended, but couldn’t convert on fourth and 11 from the 21-yard line.

The big play offense struck again for Coldwater as they got a 40-yard run on the first play of the second half to get into Versailles territory. Blockberger threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to put the Cavaliers up 14-0.

But, it was Versailles turn to make the big plays. Senior Michael Osborne found senior Lane Bergman for a 43-yard completion to get down to the one-yard line. Senior Joel Gehret scored on the next play. After a Coldwater penalty on the PAT, Osborne ran in for a two-point conversion.

The Tigers defense forced a Coldwater three and out to get the ball back. The offense drove down the field, but then faced a fourth and two.

Osborne not only ran for the first down, but ran in for a 15-yard touchdown run to tie the game. The PAT attempt was blocked to keep the game tied with 3:11 left in the game.

Jones said the team did a good job limiting the big plays from Coldwater for the most part. They just got the big plays in timely situations.

Coldwater was able to put a drive together in the fourth quarter. Blockberger capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run to go up 21-14.

Versailles had the ball twice after that score, but couldn’t punch it in. The first possession ended with a fumble at the 27-yard line. The last one ended in a turnover on downs on four straight plays.

Versailles falls to 7-2 on the season with a 5-2 MAC record. Jones said he wanted to get this win for the guys after all of the work they put in leading up to this one. But, he is confident they will bounce back.

“Our guys will bounce back. Really proud of the way they prepared all week and the effort they gave. A lot of guys played their hearts out tonight. Really proud to be their head coach and proud of our coaching staff this week in the preparation they put into it,” Jones said.

Things won’t get easier for Versailles. They will host 8-1 Minster on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. on Senior Night. Jones said with playoffs approaching, they have a tough road ahead that starts with Minster.

With the challenges ahead, Jones knows his team will rise to the occasion. They will learn from this loss and move on to the next game ahead.

“I have every confidence that we will because that’s the character of our guys. I don’t question that for a minute. It’s one of those things when you lose, you got to get to the film, evaluate where things went wrong as a team. But then as a coaching staff, you evaluate yourself as well,” Jones said.

Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]