XENIA – The Cincinnati Country Day Night Hawks ran into a buzz saw Friday night in the Versailles Tigers football team. The Tigers needed only 12 seconds to let the Night Hawks know how the game was going to play out. Jace Watren took the opening kickoff 74 yards to pay dirt giving Versailles an early 7-0 lead on its way to a 55-13 playoff win.
“Really proud of them for that kickoff return,” Versailles coach Ryan Jones said. “That was really neat to see, something we have been working on came to fruition.”
Versailles took a 28-0 lead in the first quarter before the Night Hawks scored to make it 28-7 at the end of one-quarter of play. The Tigers scored three times in the second period taking a 49-7 lead to the halftime break.
The Versailles Tigers substituted early in the third quarter. The JV squad was able to score on an 11-yard run by Aaron Bowlin to make it 55-7. A muffed extra point snap and the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Country Day ended the day with a one-yard touchdown pass with double zeros on the clock. The extra point was not attempted.
Versailles scorers included Joel Gehret with four rushing touchdowns and one receiving, Jace Watren, Aaron Bowlin and Ross Francis all accounted for a touchdown.
The Tigers travel to Sidney to take on the Anna Rockets in the regional final game. Versailles defeated Anna earlier in the season 41-14.
