Versailles football team defeats defending state champion Fort Recovery

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VERSAILLES – The Versailles Tigers scored on their opening possession Friday night and did not look back, defeating Fort Recovery 20-7.

“That’s exactly what we needed,” Versailles football coach Adam Miller said. “Had two tough weeks the last two weeks.”

The Tigers scored on a 2-yard run by Garrett Thompson. The possession was aided by Sam Barga taking the opening kick to the 50-yard line.

“You got to take advantage of the situation,” Miller said. “You get a return like that, you have to punch it in.”

The Tigers scored again in the first half on a 16-yard run by Aaron Mangen.

The Tiger offense racked up 194 rushing yards in the first half. While the offense was churning out yards, the defense kept the Indian offense out of the end zone.

The Tigers were not as efficient in the second half on offense but managed to score after the Indians cut the Tiger lead to 14-7.

The Tigers responded with a 57-yard drive capped by a 45-yard touchdown pass from Alex Wendel to Sam Barga.

“He (Alex Wendel) made a lot of plays,” Miller said. “I actually challenged him earlier in the week, and he responded great.”

The extra point was missed, but with 4:41 left the Tigers held a commanding lead.

Fort Recovery was able to move the ball late in the game as the Tiger defense was giving up short passes to use the clock. Fort Recovery completed a fourth down pass short of the line to gain and the receiver tried a backward lateral that the Tigers recovered.

The Tigers tried running out the clock but gave it back with a minute to go. Wendel intercepted Fort Recovery quarterback Caleb Martin to end the game.

With the win against Fort Recovery, Versailles kept its playoff hopes alive.

Versailles will host Parkway for Homecoming on Oct. 7. Parkway comes to Versailles with a 1-5 record but always plays hard and cannot be taken lightly.

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Versailles’ Alex Wendel carries the ball during a Midwest Athletic Conference football game against Fort Recovery on Friday in Versailles.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Alex-Wendel-WEB-14.jpgVersailles’ Alex Wendel carries the ball during a Midwest Athletic Conference football game against Fort Recovery on Friday in Versailles.

By Chuck Runner

For The Daily Advocate

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