Versailles football team fails to capitalize in loss to Minster

0

VERSAILLES – The Versailles football team had costly turnovers that cost the Tigers a chance at a victory over the visiting Minster Wildcats.

Versailles threw five interceptions Friday night, and the Tigers held a 12-6 lead in the third quarter before falling 20-12. The Tigers had chances to win but could not capitalize on the opportunities against the defending Division VI state champions.

Minster got on the board first, taking a 6-0 lead as the first quarter was drawing to a close. The Wildcats went for two but were turned away.

The Tiger running game that had been dominant in their three previous wins was bottled up for most of the first half.

With time running out on the second quarter, the Tigers were able to put a drive together. With 27 seconds left in the half, Jared Niekamp found Corey Dieringer for a 5-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, but the Tigers tied the game going into the half.

Collin Peters put the Tigers up 12-6 in the third quarter with a 7-yard run. Once again the Tigers missed the extra point but held a six-point lead with 4:15 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers pressured Minster quarterback Josh Nixon on the next series, getting a couple sacks and forcing bad passes.

“We got good pressure on Nixon,” Versailles coach Adam Miller said. “They are a good offense.”

The Tigers could not stop Minster on third down and long, though, as the Wildcats converted more than once on third and long before scoring, making a two-point conversion and taking a 14-12 lead.

The Tigers looked to come back with a drive of their own. Moving deep into Wildcat territory the Tigers were moving methodically down field. All the momentum changed in an instant when a completed pass to Alex Wendel was taken out of his hands and the defender ran the ball 82 yards to the Tiger 2-yard line. The Wildcats scored and took a 20-12 lead.

The Tiger defense held Minster on a couple possessions and had a chance to tie, but each possession ended in a turnover for the Tigers.

The Tigers are now 3-2 on the season and have St. Henry on Friday. The Tigers stopped the Redskins on a two-point conversion last year to hold on to a victory.

https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Web-DSC_0338.jpgChuck Runner|For The Daily Advocate

https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Web-DSC_0349.jpgChuck Runner|For The Daily Advocate

https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Web-DSC_0327.jpgChuck Runner|For The Daily Advocate

A group of Versailles defenders led by Jonny Moorman (27) try to tackle Minster’s Evan Huelsman during a football game on Friday night in Versailles.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Versailles-web3.jpgA group of Versailles defenders led by Jonny Moorman (27) try to tackle Minster’s Evan Huelsman during a football game on Friday night in Versailles. Chuck Runner|For The Daily Advocate

By Chuck Runner

For The Daily Advocate

No posts to display