Big 2nd Quarter Vaults Versailles Past Minster, 47-13

By Bruce Monnin

MINSTER — The Versailles Tigers arrived in Minster with the reputation as a quality running team, a reputation that was only reinforced as they piled up 401 yards on the ground while defeating the Minster Wildcats 47-13.

“Our coaches have worked really hard on the line play,” explained Versailles coach Al Hetrick. “We’re a running team and you have to have a good line to have a running game. I think our backs are relentless runners too. They stay in the hole well and keep their legs driving.”

Not only did Versailles dominate with their offensive line, but their defense also held Minster to just 66 yards rushing.

“They were pretty dominant up front,” admitted Minster coach Whit Parks. “When you don’t have much room to run there isn’t a lot you can do about it. Overall, they are just a better football team than we are. I’m not ashamed to say that because they are a good football team. They exposed our weaknesses, which we knew we had.”

Versailles received the opening kickoff, and it took them just eight plays to march 64 yards for the opening score of the game, a 14 yard romp by Russ Beisner.

On their second possession, the Tigers decided to go to the air. Minster was ready, as Zac Boeke intercepted the pass and returned it 33 yards to the Tiger 28-yard line. It only took Minster one play to capitalize, as Michael McVety scampered 28 yards for the tying touchdown, making the score 7-7 at the end of the first stanza.

The second period, however, belonged to the Tigers. On the second play of the second quarter, Curtis Wourms plunged over the goal line from one yard out to give Versailles the 14-7 lead.

Minster went three and out, and the resulting punt was returned 42 yards by Wourms to the Wildcat 17-yard line. Two plays later Matt Murphy rambled 8 yards and the Tiger lead was 20-7. On Minster’s next possession, Murphy intercepted a Wildcat pass and returned it 19 yards to the Minster seven. Two plays later Beisner scored again, and Versailles took a 26-7 halftime lead.

Any hopes the Wildcats had for a comeback were dashed early in the second half. Minster fumbled on their second play of the half, and Versailles recovered on the Wildcat 24-yard line. It only took one play for Versailles to claim seven more points as Murphy ran for a 24-yard touchdown.

Minster showed a spark as Troy Parks returned the resulting kickoff 77 yards to the Tiger 17-yard line. It took 8 plays, but the Wildcats finally scored on an eleven-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Aaron Heitbrink. That was the end of the Minster scoring, while Versailles tacked on two more second half scores to make the final 47-13.

Next week Friday Versailles, now 2-0, travels to take on the 1-1 Sidney Lehman Cavaliers. Minster (1-1) is also on the road visiting the 0-2 Fort Recovery Indians.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Versailles 7 19 14 7 — 47

Minster 7 0 6 0 — 13