SHERWOOD – As Tinora’s head coach, Eric Becker, and Fairview’s leadman, Doug Rakes, prepared for their rematch Friday night in the opening round of the OHSAA playoffs, both knew each other’s playbook from front to back.

Meeting for the second time this season, the GMC rivals knew it was do-or-die time as the winner would advance to take on another Green Meadows Conference foe, the Pauling Panthers, next Friday.

The Tinora defense had a tall task: stopping the two-time GMC player of the Year, William Zeedyk, and the Fairview Apaches offense, which entered averaging 44 points per game.

Zeedyk and the Fairview offense struck first as Logan Olinger hauled in the first of five Zeedyk touchdown passes, this from 23 yards out. Landric VanderMade, the first team all-conference kicker, nailed the XP, and a 7-0 Apache lead with 4:10 in the initial quarter.

The Apache offense struck on their next drive, a one-yard burst by Logan Olinger from the Wildcat formation, the VanderMade XP increased the Fairview lead to 14-0 with 2:32 in the first stanza.

The Fairview defense continued to smother the Rams offense into the second quarter, again sending the Tinora offense back to the sideline.

Fairview increased its lead to 21-0 right before the half on a Zeedyk to Gavin Meade strike from 11 yards out with 27 seconds on the clock. Landric VanderMade’s XP sent the Apaches to the half with a 21-0 advantage.

A week ago, the Rams rallied from a 30-6 halftime deficit to defeat the Edgerton Bulldogs, propelling them into this week 11 rematch. Fairview, not wanting to see another Tinora second-half surge, came out and struck quickly as William Zeedyk connected with Brody Williams for a 74-yard lightning bolt; the VanderMade XP increased Fairview’s lead to 28-0 with 11:45 in the third quarter.

The Apaches led 35-0 on Fairview’s next possession as Zeedyk hit Olinger with a 66-yard66-yard score. 6:27 remained in the third, and a running clock ensued.

The Rams finally got on the scoreboard with 3:10 in the third stanza as Owen Ferrell hit Owen Reynolds with an eight-yard touchdown reception. The XP was blocked, Fairview led 35-6.
The score by Reynolds has him with 13 TD receptions for the season, a new Tinora record in a single season.

The final score of the week 11 playoff contest came at the start of the fourth quarter as Shady Fritch hauled in Zeedyk’s fifth score of the night, this from 18 yards out. VanderMade’s XP increased the Apache lead to 42-6.

Fairview would go on to a 42-6 victory in the rematch and advance to the next round of the playoffs.

Fairview improves to 10-1 and will travel to Paulding in another rematch vs the Panthers next Friday. Coach Rakes picked up his 71st career win, moving him into second place all-time in Apache coaching history.

The Rams see their season end at 5-6.
Best wishes to the Tinora senior class of Dylan Schaufele, Parker Hancock, Abram Jimenez, Dryden White, and Brock Bailey.

TINORA 0-0-6-0 = 6
FAIRVIEW 14-7-14-7 = 42

Tinora passing: Ferrell 13-25-114-1 TD
Tinora rushing: Replogle 18-49, Ferrell 7 (-49), Hattemer 1-3
Tinora receiving: Schaufele 3-51, Reynolds 6-48-1 TD, Lieb 2-10, Shininger 1-5

Fairview passing: Zeedyk 17-31-330-5 TD, B Williams 0-1
Fairview rushing. Zeedyk 14-112, Beals 1-10, Fritch 1-9, Grinnell-Dennis 3-15, Meade 1 (-3), Mendez 3-9, Schroeder 1-1, G Brown 1 (-3)
Fairview receiving: Meade 8-68-1 TD, Olinger 5-130-1 TD, Williams 2-82-1 TD, Huffman 1-6, Fritch 1-24-1TD

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