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Versailles senior quarterback, Jerrod Neikamp, drops back for a pass
against Minster Friday at H.B Hole Field durning a crucial MAC contest.
Neikamp threw five interceptions in the second half in a 20-12 loss to
the Wildcats. The loss dropped the Tigers to 3-2 on the season and 2-1
in the MAC. CNO Photo by Chuck Runner, tigerballonline@netzero.net
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Versailles
can’t defend turf against Minster
Tigers prove to be their biggest enemy
By George Starks
VERSAILLES- Coming in to his game with Minster, Versailles coach Adam
Miller had faced the Wildcats four times, twice a year ago. In all four
of those meetings, Miller lost to them.
The fifth meeting would prove to be no different and to make matters
worse, it was homecoming for the Tigers.
Heading into the second half of Friday’s game with Minster, the
Versailles Tigers had played the Wildcats straight up.
With the score even at 6-6, both teams knew it was going to be a battle.
Little did Versailles know its biggest battle would be within itself.
Senior signal caller, Jerrod Neikamp, threw five interceptions in the
second half as the Tigers fell to Minster 20-12 in a crucial MAC game.
“We just made too many mistakes,” said Miller. “Minster (3-2/1-2 MAC)
is a very good team and a team that can force you to make mistakes. In
a big game like this, those mistakes can come back to find you. There
was not one single play that lost us the game. We had plenty of
opportunities,”
Versailles would be able to grab a 12-6 advantage in the third quarter
on a seven yard run from senior Colin Peters with 4:15 left in the
frame.
That lead would hold up until early in the fourth quarter.
Looking at a 3rd and four from the Tigers 23 it was Jared Huelsman that
would get the Cats on the board four plays later with 10:56 left in the
game.
That drive would prove to be a 13 play/68 yard drive that started with
an interception late in the third quarter.
The final dagger for Versailles would happen at the 1:32 mark of the
game and again, it would be Huelsman getting the ball over from a yard
out.
The biggest difference the Cats had over the Tigers was not only the
ability to pick Neikamp apart but convert on third down.
Another area the Tigers could not take care of.
“Like I said, this is a very good team,” said Miller. “I think all of
our turnovers, except one, came in the second half.”
On defense, Miller thought his kids played well.
“I thought we got good pressure on (Josh) Nixon (Minster QB),” said
Miller. “This was a team effort and we fell short. I told the kids that
we’re backed into a corner and we’ve got to come out swinging.”
Now 3-2 on the season, Versailles will be on the road for its next two
games at St. Henry and Parkway.
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Kirsten Langston and Isaac Buscher were crowned as the 2016
Homecoming King and Queen at Versailles
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