|
|
Versailles
senior Zach Stienbrenner is tackled after making one of his
four catches against St Henry Friday at
H. B Hole Field. Stienbrenner
had one catch for a touchdown in a 14-13 Tigers victory.
CNO Photos by
Chuck Runner, tigerballonline,net@netzero.com
|
|
Versailles wins
by a foot over St. Henry
Tigers remain in playoff hunt
By George Starks
VERSAILLES- In a defensive struggle, it was the Versailles defense that
made the difference.
With 2:32 showing on the game clock, St. Henry senior Jessie Neikamp
took the ball in from one yard out. That score brought the Redskins to
within a 14-13 count.
Going for the two point conversion and a one point lead, the Skins
would have loved nothing more than to ruin the Versailles homecoming
night.
Neikamp had already rushed the ball 24 times, gaining 178 yards and it
was no secret who was getting the ball.
Neikamp took the handoff and headed straight for paydirt.
When his knees hit the ground, Neikamp was just over a foot short of
the goal line.
The Versailles defense held and the Tigers left with a 14-13 victory.
“We bent and bent and bent some more,” said Versailles coach Adam
Miller. “We never broke. Our defense stood its ground and that was the
difference. I’m very proud of my kids tonight. We needed a stop on
defense and we got it.”
The Redskins drew first blood in the game.
After the Tigers opening drive stalled after a 12 play drive on a 4th
and 12 play that failed on the St. Henry 33, the Redskins went 67 yards
on five plays, culminating on a 21 yard pass play from junior Mitchel
Stammen to senior AJ Neiknap at the 4:16 mark of the opening quarter.
The drive was highlighted by a 46 yard run from Jesse Neikamp.
Versailles would take the kick and set up shop at its own 27.
The Tigers would control the ball and the clock. Taking the kick at the
4:16 mark of the first, the Tigers would score with 9:06 remaining in
the half on a 19 yard run by Colin Peters (38 carries/144 yards, one
touchdown).
Versailles would take the lead with 6:36 left in the third on a nine
yard scoring pass from Jerrod Neikamp to Zack Steinbrenner.
With both defenses standing tall, the Redskins would run up and down
the field but it was the Versailles defense that had the final stand,
pulling out the biggest victory of the season.
With both teams coming in with identical 3-2 records, the Tigers were
holding on to fourth in the computer ranking while the Redskins needed
a win to even have a chance of making the playoffs.
On a night when the defense would determine the final score, it was the
offensive execution that shined along with the defense.
With 2:32 remaining, Miller and the rest of Tiger Nation was all
looking for the same thing.
“I was very happy with the execution,” said Miller. “It was the onside
kick that didn’t happen at the end of the game- "I thought for sure
they would and we were ready for it."
The Redskins kicked the ball deep and the Tigers were able to run the
clock out when the game was secured after Niekamp connected on a 13
pass to Steinbrenner with scant few seconds remaining on a 3rd and
eight play at the Redskins 42 yard line.
'That was huge for us,” said Miller. “We told the kids we have some big
games coming up. All of our goals are still attainable."
Now 4-2 on the season, Versailles will host Parkway next Friday.
If Versailles looks to go to the post season, the game with the
Panthers is a must win.
The Panthers are 0-6 on the season.
|
|
Hannah
Larson and Kyle Rutschilling were the 2014 Homecoming King and
Queen for Versailles.
|
|
|
|
