To call last year a learning experience for first year head coach Broc Silvers and the Versailles Tigers is a bit of an understatement. Last year all they could hope to do was learn as the season got progressively more and more futile as injuries, inexperience and, most depressingly, losses accumulated.
Decent efforts against Fulton and Knob Noster gave way to blowouts against Osage, Eldon, Hallsville, Southern Boone, Blair Oaks and California.
The Tigers finished 0-9 last year and bowed out in the first round of the district tournament with a loss to Eldon, albeit a much closer one than the 57-0 drubbing they received in their first meeting during the regular season.
Silvers believes this year could be much different though. With a year under his belt, more familiarity with the team and some fresh faces, Silvers believes the Tigers can find some success this season.
However, their road to success got a lot more difficult, at least when it comes to the postseason. They're in Class 3 District 6 with Eldon, Blair Oaks and California, three teams they lost to last year and each loss by 40 points of more. Whether they have the ability to play at such a level remains to be seen.
The biggest change on the field will come at the quarterback position. Last year, Michael Allen, the largest player on the Versailles' team at 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds, reluctantly played quarterback because no one else on the team had enough practice at the position and he was their best option.
This year, Sean Varner will move into the role while Allen, a senior, gets into a more comfortable role at tight end and outside linebacker. Varner's a sophomore with a better ability to read coverages and blitz packages and one who's willing to take on the heavy mantle of leadership. He got playing time late last year, but his ascent should prompt a three-year starting career.
Silvers also learned his lesson from last season and plans on slowing the offense down early in the year. After utilizing a no-huddle offense to some effect last year, the wear and tear simply became physically too much for most players. Instead of running almost 140 plays a game, he plans on reducing that number significantly.
As for the rest of the offense, senior running back Johnathon Cunningham should carry a heavy load this season just as he did last year.