Marion Local escapes with win over Versailles

A missed PAT in the final minutes proved to be the difference as Marion Local came out victorious

Author:
Ryan Isley, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Sep 23, 2023 1:55 AM EDT

In a rematch of the OHSAA Division VI regional semifinals, the result was the same but the score was much closer than it was 10 months ago as Marion Local defeated Versailles 14-13 on Friday night.

Marion Local, the No. 8 team in this week’s SBLive Ohio Power 25, moves to 6-0 with the win, while Versailles, No. 24 in the SBLive Ohio Power 25, falls to 5-1.

With Versailles trailing 14-7 late in the game, the Tigers scored a touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Michael Osborne to Zach Meyer that looked like it would tie the game with just over two minutes left but the extra point missed wide right, keeping Marion Local in the lead.

It was the second touchdown pass of the night for Osborne, who also hit Lane Bergman for a 6-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give Versailles a 7-0 lead.

But sandwiched between those two touchdown passes by Osbourne, Marion Local quarterback Justin Knouff scored on a 16-yard run in the second quarter and running back Ethan Heitkamp scored from five yards out in the third quarter.

The two teams played at Wapakoneta in the cold and snow last November, where Marion Local won 35-7 en route to the Division VI state championship.

The win Friday was the 38th in a row for the Flyers.