The Rams of Tinora loaded the buses up on a hot, sticky Friday evening as they headed to Wauseaon’s Larry Fruth Stadium at Harmon Field.
With temperatures again in the upper 80’s and the humidity not far behind, the Rams were looking to get the disappointments of last Friday night’s loss to Liberty Center out of their system.
The Rams were looking to get their patented rushing attack back on the tracks after the Liberty Center D limited the Rams to just 69 yards on the ground last week.
For the second straight week, fans packed both sides of the stands, the crowds have been amazing after just two weeks.
A Cole Anders run from 21 yards out put the Rams on top 6-0, the Dylan Camp XP was good, 7-0 Tinora with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wauseon offense who put up 40 points last week as well as 230 passing yards wasted no time tying the game up on a 18 yard TD pass from Elijah McLoud to Tyson Rodriguez, the XP was good, tying the game 7-7 with 3:55 remaining in the first quarter.
Both teams traded punches midway through the second quarter, the score remained tied at 7-7. Tinora’s Brandon Edwards then took a Schafer hand off off left tackle, racing 52 yards for a Rams TD. The XP gave the Rams a 14-7 as the teams headed to the half.
Despite missing their leader on defense, Casen Wolfrum, the Tinora defense limited the Indians to just 86 yards in the first half. The Rams rushing attack was just getting geared up, rushing for 134 first half yards.
As the teams emerged from the locker rooms, something in the Rams clicked. Both the offense and defensive lines came out with purpose.
Despite the hot and humid conditions, the Rams offense controlled the ball and the clock in the third quarter, with the lone score coming on a KP Delarber 9-yard run with 2:15 left in the third quarter. Delarber seemed to carry four defensive players the last three yards for the score, giving Tinora a 20-7 lead, as the XP was no good. Tinora controlled the ball for 19 plays and 8 minutes in the third.
The Tinora D line was giving Wauseon QB Elijah McLeod fits all night, a fantastic game plan by the Tinora staff was put in to limit the big play capabilities of the high-powered Indians offense.
With the Tinora lines controlling the game on both sides of the ball, it was time for the Rams rushing attack to take over the game, and they did just that. Leading 20-7 the Rams settled for a 21-yard field goal by Dylan Camp with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter, giving the Rams a 23-7 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Wauseon’s Jonas Tester raced 89 yards for an Indians score, cutting the rams lead to 23-13.
The Rams offense took over, basically running the remaining time off the clock. Wauseon took over with just 24 seconds remaining before a Brayden Roesti Interception ended the game with a Rams victory 23-13.
The stat of the night for Tinora, they controlled the time off possession, 33:10 to 14:50. And in the fourth quarter, Tinora ran 23 plays to 4 for Wauseon, a perfect night for the Tinora ball control running attack.
Tinora finished with 275 yards on the ground, The Rams D limited the Indians to just 4 yards rushing
Both teams had 2 turnovers each. The Rams had 349 total yards of O, the Rams D limited Wauseon to 122 total yards, just 25 second half yards.
The Higbea Embroidery Player(s) of the Game went to the Rams D line of Bryce Bailey, Baeden Hancock, Javen Gaines, Hayden Becker, and Dallas Dachenhaus. Great job gentleman!
Tinora Improves to 1-1 and will play host to Leipsic on Friday night 9/3, come on out to Justin F Coressel Stadium.
The Rams were led by Nolan Schafer through the air 6/10 for 74 yards.
On the ground, the Rams were led by KP Delarber, 21 caries for 112 yards and 1 TD.
Brandon Edwards 9 carries foir 82 yards and 1 TD.
Christian Commisso with 9 carries for 44 yards.
Cole Anders 5 carries for 33 yards and 1 TD.
Photos courtesy: Emily Brown
