ROCKFORD – Friday night in Rockford, two former Versailles football players went head-to-head in a MAC game. Keenan Leichty and Scott Broerman are both first-year head coaches at their schools. Both played under Al Hetrick.
“He meant a lot to me.” Coach Scott Broerman said, “He played a big part in both our lives, I’m sure. I know for me 100 percent.”
The Tigers won 40-7 to reach 6-3 on the season.
Versailles opened scoring on a six-play, 61-yard drive. Blake Monnin scored from one yard out to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead. The Tiger defense held Parkway to a three-and-out. Versailles moved 57 yards in five plays to take a 13-0 lead. Cole Brewer scored on a two-yard run.
The Panthers were called for a penalty, so the Tigers attempted a two-point conversion. The try was unsuccessful. Versailles scored again on a four-yard run by Landyn Knapke with 9:14 left in the second quarter. That ended scoring for the first half.
Versailles scored on a five-yard pass from Monnin to Westgerdes to take a 26 – 0 lead. The Tigers started substituting players, but it didn’t stop them from scoring. Sophomore quarterback Ian Hemmelgarn would make it 33-0 on a five-yard keeper.
The Panthers answered with an 87-yard kickoff return to stop the running clock. Versailles ended the scoring with a 12-play, 66-yard drive capped by a one-yard run from Andrew Bergman.
The Tigers will face the Anna Rockets this Friday in the regular season finale. Both teams need a win to guarantee a playoff spot.
“They’re hot right now.” Coach Broerman said, “I think we’re playing pretty well too.”
The Tigers have a strong chance to qualify with a loss, but it will depend on the outcomes of other games.
