Archbold — A storybook ending was sent into the shredders as Rams senior kicker Jacob Bishop’s 48-yard game-winning field goal try was ruled no good as time expired.

After watching Archbold rally from a 14-3 fourth-quarter deficit to grab a 15-14 lead on a 31-yard TD reception by Aranjer Krieger from the Bluestreaks senior QB Kurt Krueger with 1:47 remaining in regulation, Tinora needed a game-winning drive to try to beat the ‘Steaks for the first time in school history.

After taking over at their 28-yard line with one timeout remaining, Dominic Graziani hit Dylan Schaufele for a 25-yard gain to bring the ball to the Archbold 48-yard line with 1:35 remaining. Graziani would hit Schaufele again for an 11-yard gain down to the Archbold 37-yard line with 1:15 on the clock.

After a Tinora penalty pushed the ball back to the ‘Streaks 42 yard line, and two incompletions, Graziani would hit Bishop out of the backfield for a 12-yard gain, taking the ball down to the Archbold 30-yard line with 4 seconds remaining on the clock. The Rams would burn their final timeout to stop the clock.

Jacob Bishop, along with fellow teammate Liam Behnfeldt, was selected to carry their father’s military flags in a pregame ceremony. Bishop was ready to attempt his first game-winning kick, a 48-yarder for the win.

After teams traded timeouts, Bishop lined up for the game-winning kick, a low line drive kick that appeared to go over the crossbar by 2 feet. After several seconds of indecisiveness, the two officials under the goalpost ruled it no good. The ‘Streaks would capture a thrilling 15-14 win over Tinora, their 12th straight win in the series.

Archbold got the scoring underway with a Rudy Rodger 29-yard field goal with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter.

The Rams, who had just one offensive TD this season, saw Deon Luellen punch it in from four yards out, giving the Rams their first lead of 2024. The Bishop XP gave Tinora a 7-3 lead with 3:37 in the half.

Tinora wasn’t done, after a defensive stop with just under two minutes in the half, the Rams got the ball on the 50-yard line. After a short pass to Josh Lieb, Graziani would hit Lieb again for a 42-yard score, giving the Rams a 13-3 lead. The Bishop XP pushed the Tinora lead to 14-3 at the half.

The lead remained 14-3 until Archbold mounted a rally to start the fourth quarter. Kurt Krueger would bring the ‘Streaks to within 14-9 after a 2-yard run by the Archbold QB. The XP was no good as Archbold attempted a two-point conversion.

After the Archbold defense gave, Graziani and the Rams fit on the next possession, The Bluestreaks would drive 81 yards down the field to take the lead on the aforementioned Aranjer Krieger 31-yard TD. After a 15-yard penalty, the XP attempt was no good with 2:01 in the game.

TINORA 0-14-0-0=14
ARCHBOLD 3-0-0-12=15

Tinora had 224 total yards of offense, 165 yards passing and 59 yards rushing.

Archbold had 260 total yards, 103 passing yards, and 157 rushing yards.

Tinora passing: Graziani 13-20-185-0-1TD
Tinora rushing: Replogel 3-7, Graziani 20-19, Bishop 1-7, Luellen 10-26-1 YD
Tinora receiing: Bishop 3-20, Replogal 1-1, Delarber 2-44, Lieb 3-52, Schaufele 3-44, Luellen 1-4

Archbold passing: Krueger 9-18-103-0-1TD
Archbold Rushing: Ryan 22-106, Rufenacht 4 -2, Wyse 3-44, Krueger 8 -5, Wendt 4-14

Tinora drops to 0-3 for the first time since the 2018 season. The Rams will start GMC play at Hicksville next Friday.

Archbold improves to 2-1 and will start NWOAL play next Friday at Liberty Center.

A fantastic pregame ceremony by the Archbold football team honoring military veterans.

Watch the game below:
https://youtube.com/live/8pDMvqpdCgo?feature=share