Johnie Logue
Sports Reporter
The Cole Camp Bluebirds came from behind twice to tie the game and briefly took the lead only to fall victim to the Versailles Tigers, 28-26 in overtime. The Class 2, District 3 game at Versailles had a little bit of everything.
The Versailles Tigers jumped out to 6-0 lead at the 5:14 mark of the first quarter on a five yard run by quarterback Reese Murdock, a 6'3" junior with loads of potential. The PAT failed.
The Tigers used three signal callers during the game in Murdoch, Fletcher Bias and Chase Shewmaker. Yeah, you needed a program for sure.
With nine minutes and change left in the second period, Versailles struck again on a seven yard romp by Bias. The PAT failed again and it was 12-0.
Versailles recovered the onside kick and looked to score with just :37 seconds left in half. However, it was time for Cole Camp's knight in shining armour to show up. The player Coach Kevin Shearer said was the best athlete he ever coached, Reid Harrison, would pick off a touchdown saving pass near the goal line and run it back to the 26 yard line. Cole Camp's fruitless drive would end the half with the score 12-0.
The chilly winds would pick up but Cole Camp heated up in the second half. Versailles bounced the kickoff into the hands of the aforementioned Harrison. The All-State track star raced 79 yards for the TD. The kick by Conner Peterson was good and at 11:45, Cole Camp was back in the game at 12-7.
On fourth and five, Bias, another junior, would fake a sweep and run up the middle for a TD. Then Bias would trot in from three to make it 20-7.
Cole Camp then moved the ball downfield and the shining knight, Harrison plunged in from one yard out. Peterson ripped the goal posts for the extra point and it was 20-13.
In the fourth, the agile sophomore Grant Rodriguez would charge in from the three for the Bluebirds and Peterson tied the game with his kicking prowess.
Versailles had a golden opportunity to win the game in regulation but miscommunication cost them dearly with back to back time outs. With the ball in the red zone, the Cole Camp defense held and it was tied at 20-20.
For the second game in a row, Cole Camp quarterback Gentry Dieckman didn't throw an interception. Somehow, tight end Matthew Bright ended up unguarded in the middle of the endzone on a play they drew up at halftime. Dieckman's pass was high but a leaping catch put Cole Camp ahead. Once again, their PAT failed and they left the door open for the Tigers.
On fourth and eight from the 23, Versailles called their last and only time out. They decided to give the ball to their senior fullback Tyrus Ollison, the player who beat Cole Camp back on September 22 with a monster fourth quarter run. Ollison powered his way to the right side. Going down, he stretched out the ball in an attempt for the first down. Here comes the controversy. Remember this game had everything.
In front of this reporter, it looked like he made it. A bad spot called for a measurement. If it is short Cole Camp wins. Some said the chain was looped and it didn't tell the true story. In any event, by the tip of the ball, it was called a first down.
Bias then hit Xavier Jones in the helmet from 15 yards out and the savvy Jones pulled it down for the TD.
In a trouble spot all night for Versailles, they were forced to make a PAT to end matters. Bias made it look easy with a sweep to the right side for the sweet, well-deserved victory at 28-26 and the chess game was over. With that, the Tigers earned a trip to play undefeated Father Tolton Catholic this Friday.
Versailles controlled the ball with a 34:35 time of possession to the Bluebirds 21:01. Versailles had a 24-14 edge on first downs.
Bluebirds coach Kevin Shearer commented on the game and the season, "We struggled setting the edge. We played well, but we needed a few more big plays in order to win. We had a great group of kids. We lost four games in overtime or last minute, that's on me."
Rushing stats saw Grady Strathman rush 16 times for 105 yards. Rod ran 7 times for 27 and Harrison 17 yards on 5 carries. Passing saw Dieckman complete 3 of 6 passes for 28 yards. Receiving had Harrison at 1 for 9 yards, Bright 1 for 15 and Strathman 1 for 10.
On the Tigers side, Ollison was rushed 3 times for 46 yards, Shewmaker had 18 attempts for 11 yards, Jones carried 3 times for 33 yards, Murdock picked up 152 yards on 18 carries, and Bias ran 12 times for 75 yards. Passing, Bias completed 7 of 9 passes for 61 yards.
Cole Camp ended up 4-6 and the BCE will have a season wrap up story on their season next week.
Don't miss it.
