Ayersville-
In near perfect weather conditions on Friday night from Ayersville, the Rams put together their most complete performance of the year, dominating the Pilots, 39-0.
At hand was bragging rights, a chance to ring the ever coveted Victory Bell, and take the lead in the GMC conference standings as both teams took the field on Friday in Ayersville.
The Rams were coming in at 4-1, 2-0 in the GMC, Ayersville brought a 3-1 record, and a 1-0 conference record to Craig McCord field.
From the opening kickoff, to the clock hitting 0:00 at the end, what Tinora Rams fans saw was the most complete performance by the Rams football team in 2021. All units, offense, defense, and special teams came off the buses ready to play.
The Tinora defense set the tone for the night, shutting down the high-flying Pilot offense on the first drive. A 27 yard punt return by the Rams Gavin Eckert set the Tinora offense up at the Pilot 26-yard line. Tinora drove the ball to the Ayersville one where Rams senior signal caller Nolan Schafer took it in, Dylan Camp’s extra point gave the Rams a 7-0 lead with 8:03 remaining in the first quarter.
On Ayersville’s next series, a fumble on the exchange by the Pilots resulted in a Tinora fumble recovery. After a brief, short drive, the Rams offense wasted no time getting back in the score column, Tinora running back Christian Commisso took it in from 1 yard out, XP was missed, Tinora led 13-0 with 6:00 remaining in the first quarter.
Tinora struck again to start the second quarter, Rams QB Nolan Schafer again took it in, this time from two yards out, XP again was no good, the Rams led 19-0 with 10:03 remaining in the second quarter
Nolan Schafer hit WR Cole Commisso in the end zone for a 14 yard TD pass with 1:25 remaining before the half, XP by Camp was good, Rams lead 26-0 as teams headed to the half.
Tinora’s defense limited the Pilot attack to just 47 yards in the half, -3 yards rushing.
As teams exited the locker room, the Pilots were looking to get back in the contest. Tinora had other ideas, they wanted to nail the door shut on any possible comeback by Ayersville.
After a fantastic kickoff return by Brandon Edwards set up the Rams with great field possession at the Pilots 41-yard line. Cole Anders stuck from eight yards out, giving the Rams an insurmountable 33-0 lead with 11:18 remaining in the third quarter.
What no one expected was a running clock in the second half of this huge GMC contest, and that’s what transpired.
A 15 yard KP Delarber touchdown scamper capped off the scoring at the end of the third quarter, giving the Rams a 39-0 lead as the quarter expired.
As the clock remained running, the fourth quarter went by in a flash, neither team threatening to score.
As the clock hit zero, the Rams completed a 30-9 shutout over the Ayersville Pilots, giving the Rams a leg up in the race for the Green Meadows Conference title.
With the win, Tinora improves to 5-1, 3-0 in the GMC. Tinora will host Paulding next Friday as the Rams welcome the Panther back to the GMC.
Ayersville falls to 3-2 with the loss, 1-1 in conference play. (Ayersville & Edgerton had a game cancelled two weeks ago)
The Tinora D came to play Friday night, limiting Ayersville to just 87 total yards, 8 total yards rushing. Also coming up huge was the Rams special teams, several great returns as well as 2 blocked punts set the Tinora offense up with great field position.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Tinora Rams senior signal caller, Nolan Schafer. Schafer had 2 scores on the ground, and 1 through the air, in the Tinora victory.
The Rams have won 14 of the past 15 match-ups vs the Pilots, keeping the Victory Bell at Tinora High School.
