Prep Football: Versailles to open districts at Stockton

VERSAILLES, Mo. - A pair of offenses that have been going in different directions of late will clash tonight.

And the Versailles Tigers need to buck that trend in a hurry of they hope to keep their season alive.

In a battle of Tigers, fifth-seeded Versailles travels to fourth-seeded Stockton tonight in first round play of the Class 2 District 4 tournament. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Versailles has lost its last four games and is 3-6. Stockton is riding a two-game winning streak and comes in with a 5-4 mark.

Tonight's winner will meet the top-seed Lamar/No. 8-seed Warsaw first-round winner in district semifinal play next Friday. The Class 2 District 4 championship game is set for Nov. 4.

Versailles has not scored in the last two weeks, being shut out by Southern Boone 49-0 last week and by Hallsville 6-0 the previous week. Versailles scored just 18 points in its past four games.

Meanwhile, Stockton set a single-game school record in points two weeks ago in crushing Pleasant Hope 74-6 and last week doubled up Marionville 41-20.

Stockton is averaging 25.6 points per game while allowing 23.6. Versailles averages just 11.2 points while giving up 28.6.

"You look back, if we win another game we are probably hosting (tonight's) game," Versailles coach Broc Silvers said. "It is good and bad, but we look at everything positive.

"This is what we have worked for since June 1. We want to keep playing. It will be a good environment and it should be a real competitive game. I don't look for it to be a high-scoring barn-burner, but 14-7 or something like that."

Stockton runs a wing-T offensive formation, which is the same as Versailles' Tri-County Conference rival Eldon. So Versailles should be familiar with the misdirection concepts of that offense.

And even though the wing-T usually is run-dominated, depending on the opponent Stockton has shown the ability to be very productive through the air.

Last week against Marionville, Stockton junior quarterback Jake Wheeler completed 18-of-27 passes for 218 yards, two interceptions and three touchdowns while rushing for another TD. And senior Justin Pfeifer is a 5-8, 145 pounder who can line up at either running back or receiver. The waterbug-like Pfeifer lit up the Marionville secondary with 11 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

But in the previous week's blowout over Pleasant Hope the Stockton offense did not attempt a pass, rushing for 502 yards. Stockton senior running back Mason Brown rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns in that game while Wheeler rushed for 64 yards and four touchdowns and senior slotback Brice Bird ran for 96 yards.

So Stockton keeps defenses guessing.

"They run a lot of misdirection stuff in the wing-T," Silvers said. "But their quarterback can run on a roll and throw a bunch. Their quarterback is a pretty good player and that 5-8, 145-pounder could be the most electric receiver we've seen all year.

"Defensively they usually run a three-front, but will probably morph into a five-front against us. Probably as big as they are, the question is if we can keep the quarterback in the pocket."

Versailles senior quarterback David Connor has completed 45-of-105 passes for 359 passes, eight interceptions and two touchdowns while rushing for 279 yards on 76 carries and five touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Grant Hutchison leads the squad in rushing with 385 yards on 87 carries while senior fullback Shane Randall has 317 yards on 82 carries.

 Taylor Dobbins is the team's top receiver with 15 catches for 143 yards.

Sophomore linebacker Michael Trotter leads the Versailles defense with 72 tackles.

CLASS 2 Bracket

Versailles at Stockton