Minster Falls to Defending D4 Champion Versailles In Overtime 27-21

By Bruce Monnin

VERSAILLES — Friday night the Minster Wildcats visited the home of the defending D4 state champion Versailles Tigers, who were out to extend the 16 game winning streak. Minster put up a tough fight, but came out on the wrong end of a 27-21 overtime contest.

The game started out bleak for the Wildcats. Versailles drove for touchdowns during their first two possession of the game. Minster responded with a 3 yard Ty Parks touchdown run, but Versailles extended the lead to 21-7 when they scored another touchdown with just 26 seconds remaining in the half. The Tigers outgained the Wildcats 214 yards to 92 yards in a dominating first half effort.

The second half was entirely different. On Minster’s first possession they marched 75 yards in eight plays, capped off by a 46 yard Ty Parks touchdown run. After Versailles failed on a 4th and one conversion on a fake punt attempt, the Wildcats needed six Ty Parks runs to cover the 42 yards needed for the tying score. Parks ended up with 116 yards on 12 carriers during the two Wildcat drives in the third quarter.

Neither team could score in the fourth quarter, though Minster did get as close as the Versailles 41 yard line in the final minute of the game. The Wildcats were given the ball first in overtime, but were stymied when a pass into the endzone on fourth down and three from the thirteen fell incomplete. Versailles used six running plays to bull their way into the end zone in their half of the overtime for the winning score.

Versailles outgained Minster with total yardage of 298 yards compared to 268 yards for the Wildcats. Parks had another stellar night rushing the ball as he rushed 38 times for 215 yards and three touchdowns.

Next week Friday Minster hosts 1-1 Fort Recovery in the home opener for the season.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Versailles 14 7 7 0 7 — 27

Minster 0 7 14 0 0 — 21