By Drew Terhall
DailyAdvocate.com
WAPAKONETA — The Versailles Tigers soccer workforce is heading again to Canton. The Tigers defeated Columbus Grove, 30-13, at Mercy Well being Wapak Ford Area on Nov. 24 within the OHSAA Division VI soccer State Semifinals.
It wasn’t a great begin for the Tigers. Senior Michael Osborne was picked off on the workforce’s first possession of the sport and Columbus Grove took it all the way down to the Versailles four-yard line.
From there, the Bulldogs scored a four-yard dashing landing on fourth all the way down to go up 7-0 early. Head coach Ryan Jones mentioned they anticipated an ideal workforce like Columbus Grove to make some nice performs.
He was thrilled to see how his workforce responded after that.
“Actually pleased with the best way they fought by means of a few of these adversities, particularly that interception early on. That was an ideal efficiency there. Protection did an ideal job all night time,” Jones mentioned.
From the second quarter on, it was all Versailles. The quarter began with a 26-yard subject purpose make by senior Joel Gehret.
On the following kickoff, Versailles recovered a fumble and arrange store on the Columbus Grove seven-yard line. Osborne snuck it in from one yard out to take a 10-7 lead 49 seconds into the second quarter.
After a Bulldog punt that gave the Tigers the ball on the Columbus Grove 46-yard line, Versailles drove down and Gehret scored on a one-yard dashing landing.
With seconds left within the first half, Osborne discovered junior Jace Watren for a 23-yard landing go to be up 23-7 at halftime.
Type of like within the first half, Columbus Grove scored on their first possession of the half on a six-yard landing run after they drove down the sphere.
Versailles bought the cease on the two-point conversion to maintain it a two rating sport. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Gehret made it a 3 rating sport on a two-yard landing run.
With 9:22 left within the fourth quarter, Osborne bought an interception to present Versailles the ball on their very own three-yard line.
Leaning on their working sport, Versailles drove down the sphere and finally turned it over on downs with just one:46 left within the sport.
Jones mentioned the gamers ran exhausting within the run sport and the offensive line did an ideal job approach smart to open up holes in opposition to an even bigger Columbus Grove defensive position.
“Pleased with the best way our offense responded after that preliminary drive in third quarter the place the Bulldogs put it within the endzone. And we had been in a position to march the ball down the sphere and get a landing,” Jones mentioned. “Then towards the tip right here within the fourth quarter, once we wanted to run the ball when everybody knew we had we moved it down the sphere and drained the clock. We didn’t get a rating out of it, however what we bought was simply nearly as good.”
It wasn’t simply Osborne and Gehret carrying the work load within the working sport. With the Bulldogs attempting to restrict Osborne’s impression dashing, senior Lane Bergman bought some carries on jet sweeps.
Jones mentioned Night time Prepare Lane bought an opportunity to point out what sort of athlete he’s with the assistance of his teammates.
“We rode the Night time Prepare tonight, all the best way to Canton. That was an ideal efficiency by him. Often, he’s catching balls however right this moment he did an ideal working and our blocks had been very well on the perimeter. I believed the receivers did job blocking down subject,” Jones mentioned.
The protection stepped up big as properly with three interceptions. Senior A.J. Griesdorn helped arrange the late landing within the first half on an interception on fourth down. Osbrone’s interception helped the workforce bleed out the clock. Bergman had an interception to ice the sport late.
Jones mentioned he’s comfortable to see this workforce get the win after going through adversity early. The workforce fought by means of it to earn a spot within the State Championship sport.
“Glad for the fellows, for them to win this sport. Actually pleased with them, couldn’t be extra proud to be their head coach. It’s an ideal group children, I like these guys. Simply thank the Lord for this chance to be right here,” Jones mentioned.
The Tigers will face Kirtland within the Division VI soccer State Championship sport on Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium in Canton.
The final time the Tigers had been in Canton was in 2021 within the Division V State Championship sport in opposition to Kirtland. They gained 20-16 in opposition to an undefeated Kirtland workforce.
Contact Each day Advocate sports activities editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]
Originally posted 2023-11-25 04:10:11.