VERSAILLES, Mo. - Don't be surprised if the Versailles and Knob Noster football squads hang out in the end zones a little longer than usual during pregame warmups tonight.
Both squads must re-introduce themselves to that part of the field.
A pair of teams starved for points will collide in the 2017 season opener tonight, as the Versailles Tigers host the Knob Noster Panthers in non-conference action. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
In last year's opener, Versailles defeated Knob Noster on the road 22-6. That was one of the offensive highlights for the Tigers, who went on to fashion a 3-7 record and average just 19.7 points per game - including three shutout losses.
The Panther 2016 point production was even worse against a brutal schedule that included 9-3 Butler (twice), 10-2 Lexington and 11-1 Richmond. Knob Noster averaged just 9.3 points per game and was also shut out three times on its way to a 2-8 mark.
And the punchless offenses didn't help the respective defenses, as Knob Noster allowed an averaged of 41.7 points per game and Versailles 30.4.
"Versailles is in the same situation we are," said new Knob Noster head coach Rich Johnson. "I think it will be a heck of a game. I look at it as a game we need to win and I know (Versailles head coach Broc Silvers) feels the same way."
Versailles has good experience to try to bulk up its offense, with eight starters back on each side of the ball.
"We had a decent summer," Silvers said. "The key is finding depth, as the school is getting smaller."
Sophomore Colby Williams takes over the run-dominated Tiger offensive attack at quarterback. He has a couple of veteran running backs behind him in senior Taylor Dobbins and junior Grant Hutchison. Returning to anchor the offensive line is senior Chase Hyman.
Hutchison is the top rusher back with 450 yards and Dobbins was the top receiver in 2016 with 17 catches.
"Versailles will get in the I-formation and in the spread; they do both and do a good job," Johnson said. "Defensively they're a 4-4 team and their linebackers play downhill. It will be a challenge for us."
Expected to help power the Versailles defense are junior linebacker Michael Trotter (80 tackles last year), sophomore cornerback Brayden Morrison and senior defensive lineman Preston Silvey, who is playing football for the first time since eighth grade.
"Our skill game is probably the best in my five years as coach here," Silvers said. "We have a good quarterback and good backs. The question is how the line comes together."
Johnson, who was out of football last year but was head coach at a strong Mountain Grove program before that, also has some experience to work with, as eight starters are back on offense and defense.
Senior Darrenton Pierce is a tailback/strong safety but may move to fullback. Junior Steve Elwell is the quarterback and the best lineman is senior Jordan Lyons. The Panthers also expect help from senior tailback Marc Casey, who recently moved back to Knob Noster after several years away.
"We're trying to run power football," Johnson said. "The main thing is we've got to develop a winning attitude. We've had kids who will work and that helps."
"They're putting in a split-back veer offense and will be really aggressive," Silvers said of Knob Noster. "Defensively they'll be in man coverage most of the time."