Extra Point Difference
in 14-13 Minster Victory
By
Bruce Monnin
MINSTER — When the Versailles
Tigers played their first ever game in the MAC back in 2001, they were defeated
by the Minster Wildcats by a score of 14-13 when Versailles missed the would be
tying extra point. History repeated
itself as Versailles’ attempted fourth quarter tying extra point sailed wide
left and gave Minster their fifth victory of the season by that same 14-13
score.
“Coming from an 0-10 season to 5-1 is huge,”
stated Minster coach Eric Belcher. “We
got big hurdles off our back. We hadn’t won three games in a row since I’ve been here. It’s been since Parkway in 2006 since we’ve
won at home.”
The game started without much early
excitement. Versailles managed to drive
to the Minster 28-yard line on their first possession before turning the ball
over on downs for the first of three times in the half.
Early in the second quarter, Minster took over
in Versailles territory after an interception by Adam Kaiser. Eight plays later Chase Paxson connected with
Jack Griner for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
The Tigers responded one play later. First the offensive line provided quarterback
Jon Richard all the time he wanted.
Then, a mix-up in the Minster defense allowed Jon Murphy to be wide open
and he took the reception
Versailles had one more chance late in the half
when the Wildcats were stopped on a fourth down and inches at their own 32-yard
line. The Tigers got to the 19-yard line
before a holding call and a stiff Minster defense ended the threat.
The third quarter was much like the first. Minster threatened briefly when Robert Gruber
intercepted a pass at the Versailles 36-yard line. However, four plays later the Wildcats
fumbled the ball away and the only threat of the quarter was over.
Minster took the lead for good early in the fourth
quarter with an eight play, 72-yard drive.
Usual Wildcat starting quarterback Austin Baumer
is out for the season with an ACL injury suffered last week, so Paxson took
over the signal calling duties this week.
On this drive he completed all six of his pass attempts, including
15-yard touchdown strike to Griner.
“He (Paxson) put the ball on target most of the
time,” complimented Belcher. “He did a
very good job for a sophomore quarterback.”
In what turned out to be the game winning
point, Brian Mueller converted on the extra point, the ninth straight such kick
he has made. “We struggled with extra
points last year and we went the first three games this year missing one,”
admitted Belcher. “We’ve hit out third
game where we haven’t missed any.”
Once again Versailles answered the Minster
score. Richard completed one pass and
ran the ball twice for
Versailles had another try at midfield with
3:12 remaining, but the Wildcat defense stopped the Tigers on four straight plays. A last chance for Versailles with 24 seconds
remaining was ended with another Gruber interception.
Next week Friday 5-1 Minster will host 5-1 Anna
in an Oktoberfest weekend battle for second place in the MAC. Versailles, now 1-5, hosts the 3-3 Fort
Recovery Indians.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Minster 0 7 0 7 — 14
Versailles 0 7 0 6 — 13