Flyers win thriller over Versailles
MARIA STEIN — It came down to a wild finish, but after the first three quarters, that was to be expected.
Marion Local forced two turnovers in the last few minutes of the game on Friday night to take down Versailles, 19-17, in both teams’ first Midwest Athletic Conference games of the season.
Trailing 17-13 late with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Flyers converted a fourth down and goal from the one yard line after Peyton Otte kept it and rushed around the left side for the score. A blocked PAT put Marion Local up 19-17.
Versailles, only needing a field goal to take the lead, began its possession at its own 31yard line.
Through a series of passes and rushes by Versailles’ quarterback Carson Bey, the Tigers managed to get the ball to the Flyers 34-yard line. On 2nd and 1 with 1:16 left, Bey took took a shot deep to the endzone and the ball was intercepted by Otte.
The Flyers took possession on their own 20-yard line just needing to run out the clock.
Marion Local ran a single play, a rush up the middle, and fumbled and Versailles recovered at the 21-yard line.
The Tigers began a new offensive series with 1:01 left, still only needing a field goal to win.
Bey carried the ball once for no gain and then completed a 3-yard pass to bring up 3rd and 7 with 0:49 left.
Bey dropped back to throw and found a target in the middle of the field. But Marion Local’s Darren Meier was waiting as he picked off Bey’s pass and returned it for a lengthy gain before giving himself up and securing the win for the Flyers.
Talking about the last few minutes of Friday, Otte said he felt his team was able to remain calm and composed throughout.
“Just remember what we’re taught, do our job, keep everything in front and don’t give up a touchdown,” he said. “It’s one of those moments you’ve been in it before, you just gotta be fundamentally sound pretty much; don’t