Eldon tops Versailles in Tri-County matchup

ELDON - The Eldon Mustangs overcame the loss of their starting quarterback in the first quarter by converting five Versailles turnovers into touchdowns to post a 38-12 Tri-County Conference victory Friday night.

It was the Eldon's Homecoming game.

Eldon improves to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in league play while the Versailles Tigers fall to 3-4 and 2-3.

The game was a tight one most of the way, tied at 6 at intermission.

Eldon lost starting senior quarterback Austin Kempker at the 1:28 mark of the first quarter when he rolled his ankle on a rushing attempt. Sophomore Dawson Brandt ran the Mustang offense at QB the rest of the game.

The Mustangs opened the scoring in the second quarter after senior lineman Jacob Whittle recovered a fumble by Versailles senior quarterback David Connor at the Tiger 14-yard line. On fourth-and-11 from the 15-yard line, Kempker pitched the ball to junior Jordan Metz, who heaved a halfback pass to senior wideout Morgan Anderson for the touchdown. The PAT attempt was wide left.

With 1:04 remaining in the first half, Connor sprinted around right end, got to the sideline, and ran 61 yards to the Mustang 18-yard line. Two plays later, Connor hit junior running back Taylor Dobbins with a short swing pass and Dobbins got to the right sideline for an 11-yard gain. Senior fullback Shane Randall would end the scoring drive with a three-yard TD run with :27 left in the half. The kick was blocked and the scored stayed 6-all.

The Mustangs took the opening kickoff of the second half and scored on a four-play, 64-yard drive. Most of that came on the scoring play, as junior running back Trenton Dillon took a pitch and rambled 51 yards for the touchdown. The PAT attempt again failed.

Again Versailles countered with a game-tying TD after junior Jarod Sartin took the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Mustang 11. Three plays later, Connor rolled right for a 5-yard touchdown run. The conversion rushing attempt failed, leaving it tied at 12.

Eldon then reeled off four unanswered touchdowns set up by Tiger turnovers.

Connor was sacked by Whittle, fumbled and it was recovered by Dillon at the Versailles 27. After a pair of runs by sophomore fullback Isaiah Parsons, Brandt scored on an 8-yard run. Junior running back Isaiah Merida ran in the two-point conversion at the 5:11 mark of the third period and the Mustangs would lead for good, 20-12.

Whittle picked off a Connor pass and returned it 20 yards, and after a Tiger facemask penalty was tacked on Eldon took over at the Versailles seven. Parsons scored the TD on a two-yard run.

Merida picked off another Tiger pass on the third play of the fourth period and the Mustangs took six minutes off the clock on a 60-yard drive, which ended with a 9-yard Parsons run.

The game's final touchdown came after the Mustangs' made their third interception grab. Four plays later Merida scored on a 19-yard run.

Parsons rushed for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns to pace the Mustang offense while Merida ran for 56 yards.

In all, Versailles committed six turnovers.

Eldon will play next Friday at School of the Osage, while Versailles will host Hallsville.