MARIA STEIN – The Versailles Tigers looked like they were going to be the team to finally beat the Marion Local Flyers. The Tigers have given the Flyers three of the closest games during their 70-game win streak. The Tigers were ready for the task Friday night, losing 20-19 in a game that could have gone to the Tigers.
The Tigers stuffed the Flyers on a fourth and one at the Tiger 42-yard line. The Tigers duo of running back Landyn Knapke and receiver Kade Schwartz moved the Tigers to the Flyer one. Ethan Wilker scored from the one to take a 7-0 lead.
Versailles scored on its next possession on a ten-yard pass from Wilker to Schwartz. Schwartz was shaken up on the play and would not kick the extra point. The PAT was missed, but the Flyer faithful were stunned as the Tigers had a 13-0 lead.
Marion Local would do what the Flyers do, and quickly go down the field to cut the lead to 13-7. The Flyer drive was started on a kick return that gave them great field position. Ben Meyer scored from the five with 4:59 left in the half.
The Tigers looked dominant in their first possession of the second half. The offensive line had its way with the Flyer defense, using 9:29 of the third quarter to take a 19-7 lead.
“Any time you can score to start the second half, that’s big,” Versailles coach Ryan Jones said. “I thought Ethan (Wilker) played really well. He made a lot of good decisions.”
The Tigers’ attempt at a two-point conversion was intercepted.
The Flyers would not go away, and with 11 seconds left in the third quarter, the Flyers cut the lead to five. Marion Local scored in the fourth quarter on a drive that is mired in controversy. The Flyers threw a long pass to Tiger 19, which the referees initially looked at each other and could not decide if it was a catch. The Referees ruled it a catch (social media posts and multiple videos showed otherwise). The Flyers would score and take a 20-19 lead as the two-point attempt failed.
“I’m extremely proud of my guys,” Jones said. “We talk about the things you can control. They did everything we asked of them.”
The Tigers had a chance to retake the lead, but an interception ended the Tigers’ chances.
