VERSAILLES, Ohio — The Versailles Tigers are back in the state finals for the first time in 17 years, something the community is extremely proud of and waited patiently for. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Versailles community is excited to see their Tigers in the state finals

  • It’s the Tigers first trip to the finals in 17 years

  • Carson Bey is a two-way star for the team, who the support has been tremendous

  • He and the Tigers are hopeful to pull an upset over undefeated Kirtland on Saturday

Signs of support are up all through the town, as the team prepares for the big game on Saturday. 

“The town is buzzing right now,” Versailles Athletic Director Scott Broerman said.

Broerman was on the 2003 state championship team. He said that run created lasting memories, and the team’s hard work this year will do the same. 

“These kids, they’re not going to forget this moment, at all,” Broerman said. 

The Tigers are led on the field by a two-way star in Carson Bey, who plays quarterback and outside linebacker. Bey said it’s been a dream season so far after a tough couple of years.

“Sophomore year we actually ended up getting a new head coach Ryan Jones, so that was a little bit of an adjustment,” Bey said. “So I think after the first year we knew we could put our faith in him, we could trust in him to do his job get our job done to get us to where we are today.” 

The Tigers had a clap-out celebration on Friday to celebrate the team’s accomplishment in making it to the state finals. With the community behind them, Bey says it’s up to the Tigers to bring back a state title.

“Us seniors, it’s our last game here,” Bey said. “So I mean just doing our own job, not worrying about anyone else’s job and getting the job done.”

Versailles faces reigning state champion Kirtland Saturday night on Spectrum News 1.