CINCINNATI – The Lions may be the kings of the jungle, but Friday night, the Tigers ruled the football field. The Versailles Tigers used five Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy Lions turnovers to dominate 35-10 in their regional quarterfinal game. The Tigers intercepted the Lions four times, and Gavin Breeze recovered a fumble. The Tigers sacked quarterback Kemmarion McCray six times. McCray finished the night 21 of 45 with 215 yards, but threw four interceptions.
Versailles forced a Lion punt after three plays. The Tigers moved down the field using seven plays to drive 62 yards to take a 7-0 lead on a five-yard Nick Meyer run. The Lions got a first down, but penalties forced them to punt. A fourth-and-20 at their 35 turned into fourth-and-35 after an unsportsmanlike call.
The Tigers took over at their 46-yard line. They drove 54 yards in 10 plays. Landyn Knapke ran it in from one yard out. Up 13-0, the Tigers were going to kick, but an offside penalty moved the ball inside the two. The Tigers sent their offense back on the field. Knapke converted the two-point conversion, and the Tigers led 15-0 with 1:12 left in the first quarter.
The Lions’ next possession ended when Oliver Brunswick intercepted McCray at the Tiger 30-yard line. Cole Brewer took the first play 70 yards to the end zone.
“We had two nice long runs. Cole had a really good week of practice.” Coach Broerman said, “We were at Greenville the other day; he looked really fast. He looked pretty fast on that play.”
The extra point was no good. With 11:44 left in the second quarter, the Tigers led 21-0.
The Lions would move to the Tiger 36-yard line, but the Tiger defense stepped up. The Lions turned the ball over on downs at the 35-yard line. Versailles punted without getting a first down. CCPA once again got on the Tiger side of the field but gave the ball up on downs. The Lions fumbled, and Gavin Breeze recovered to stop them before the half.
The Tigers received the kickoff but could not get anything going on offense and were forced to punt. McCray threw a deep pass that appeared to be knocked away by Kade Schwartz. The ball was batted, and the Tigers intercepted it on the way to the ground. Once again, the Tiger offense could not get anything going and punted.
CCPA had the ball inside their own 20-yard line and came out throwing. McCray would throw an interception. Blake Monnin snagged it at the 20 and maneuvered through defenders for a pick-six. With 6:27 left in the third, the Tigers led 28-0.
“That was a big play. We needed that at the time.” Coach Broerman said, “He makes big plays.”
The Lions would finally get on the scoreboard with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.
The ensuing kickoff seemed headed out of bounds, but the Tigers grabbed it and stepped out at the 19-yard line. Field position didn’t matter, as Meyer took the third play 70 yards for the Tigers. With a 35-8 lead, the Versailles substituted players. The Lions moved the ball against the Tigers, but an interception at the two-yard line gave the Tigers the ball back. The Lions got a safety, ending the scoring for the night.
Versailles will face St. Henry next Friday night.
“We will be heading there.” Coach Broerman said, “I think we’ve gotten a lot better since week three, but I know they’ve gotten too, so it should be a great game.”
The Redskins defeated the Tigers in week three. The Tigers were down 21-0 at the half, but came back to score 21 in the second half and ultimately fell 34-21.
