Top-seeded West Liberty-Salem faces Versailles

West Liberty-Salem in playoffs for sixth time in last eight years.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 8:43 PM Thursday, November 3, 2011

WEST LIBERTY — For the fourth time in school history, the West Liberty-Salem High School football team will host a playoff game.

“Obviously, it’s fun getting in, but it’s also fun to play at home,” said Tigers coach Toby Smith.

The unbeaten Tigers (10-0) are back in the Division V, Region 20 playoffs after missing out last season. They’ll host eighth-seeded Versailles (7-3) at Tiger Stadium at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

West Liberty-Salem has been to the playoffs six times in the last eight years, hosting four times. It won its last home game, 3-0 against West Jefferson in 2009. It hopes the seniors, who played in that game as sophomores, can use the experience to their advantage.

“Any time you get to play extra football, it’s rewarding,” Smith said. “The kids deserve it. They had a 10-0, undefeated season so this is their reward. Hopefully we play well enough so we have a shot to keep playing.”

Versailles uses a pass-first offense led by sophomore quarterback Nick Campbell. He’s completed 61.2 percent of his passes (175-for-286) for 2,705 yards and 33 TDs. He also leads the team in rushing with 705 yards and six TDs.

His top targets are older brother, senior Mitchell Campbell (58 receptions, 970 yards, 13 TDs), and Ethan Burns (44 receptions, 678 yards, 7 TDs).

Versailles is making its first trip to the playoffs since 2005. It has won four straight games since back-to-back losses to Coldwater and Delphos St. John’s. It has outscored opponents 151-48 in those victories, including a 21-20 win over D-VI playoff squad Minster in Week 8.

The game will see two high-powered offenses. WLS enters the game averaging 42.2 points per game.

“They’re a spread team like we are,” Smith said. “They do a bunch of different things, and we’re going to have to be on top of our game if we want to win.”

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