Minster Defense Stymies Versailles in 14-12 Victory

By Bruce Monnin

VERSAILLES - On a night where the Minster Wildcat offense only generated 141 yards and one score, Minster’s defense scored a touchdown of its own and forced three other Versailles Tiger turnovers to help Minster secure a 14-12 victory.

“We found a way to win,” summarized Wildcat coach Seth Whiting.

Versailles scored on a drive which used seven minutes of clock in the first quarter when after ten running plays, Ethan Wilker threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kade Schwartz. However, the crucial extra point was missed wide left and the Tigers led 6-0.

In the second quarter it was Minster’s turn to drain over seven minutes off the clock on a thirteen-play scoring drive. The Wildcats converted one fourth down at the Versailles 32, then faced a fourth and goal from the Versailles three-yard line. Dominick Meyer pushed through a small hole to reach paydirt and tie the game. Beckham Stephey’s extra point gave Minster a 7-6 lead.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Andrew Ketner stepped in front of the Tiger receiver, intercepted the pass and ran untouched into the end zone to increase the advantage to 14-6.

Versailles tried to respond before half, but Tyler Bergman intercepted a pass at the Wildcat eight-yard line to end the threat.

The Tigers used an eight and a half minute third quarter drive to close the deficit to 14-12. After surviving a fourth down and eight situation in Minster territory, Landyn Knapke scored on a two-yard run to open the fourth quarter. However, the Wildcat defense stopped Knapke just short on his attempt to run for the two-point conversion.

The Versailles offense had two fourth quarter chances to win the game. After a Knapke 63-yard punt return, Ty Hein recovered a fumble five plays later at the Wildcat 25. The Tigers’ final drive also reached the Minster 25 before Bergman secured his second interception of the night at the five-yard line to end the game.

The Wildcats were only able to gain 79 yards on the ground and 62 yards through the air. The Versailles defense held Minster to just 39 second half yards. The Wildcat defense gave up a bit more yardage (140 rushing and 87 passing), but generated four turnovers and a score to spearhead the victorious effort.

Minster’s record improves to 5-3 (4-2 in the MAC), and the Wildcats return home to host the #1 ranked team in Division 7, the undefeated Marion Local Flyers. Versailles’ record drops to 4-4 (2-4 in the MAC) and the Tigers will travel to face 5-3 (4-2 MAC) Coldwater.

Score by quarter 1 2 3 4 Total

Minster 0 14 0 0 14

Versailles 6 0 0 6 12

First Quarter:

VER – Kade Schwartz 19 yd pass from Ethan Wilker (kick failed), 2:29

Second Quarter:

MIN – Dominick Meyer 3 yd run (Beckham Stephey kick), 1:44

MIN – Andrew Ketner 32 yd interception return (Beckham Stephey kick), 1:28

Fourth Quarter:

VER – Landyn Knapke 2 yd run (run failed), 11:56

Team statistics MIN VER

First downs 9 17

Rushes - yards 28-79 39-140

Passing yards 62 87

Comp - att - int 6-10-0 8-18-3

Total yards 141 227

Punts - average 5-32.0 2-39.5

Fumbles - lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties - yards 4-36 3-20

Time of possession 21:28 26:32

Individual statistics

Rushing: Minster, Meyer 14-40, Kaylor 12-39, Fancher 1-1, Bergman 1-(minus 1); Versailles, Knapke 23-104, Wilker 15-37, Hayes 1-(minus 1)

Passing: Minster, Kaylor 6-10-0-62; Versailles, Wilker 8-18-3-87

Receiving: Minster, Schwieterman 2-22, Bergman 2-19, Ketner 1-16, Meyer 1-5; Versailles, Schwartz 5-57, DeLand 2-17, Raterman 1-13