Tinora Shuts Out Paulding 20-0 as Replogle Scores Twice in Fourth Quarter
PAULDING: Heading into the Week 10 showdown with the Paulding Panthers, the Rams had one thing they could control: putting their name on a 2026 GMC Championship.
Tinora entered the final regular-season Friday Night with a 5-4 record but a 5-1 GMC mark. The Panthers came on Senior Night with a 9-1 mark, 6-0 in conference play. The Fairview Apaches, 8-1, 5-1 GMC, were also in the mix as they hosted the Wayne Trace Raiders Friday.
Paulding entered the game with the best defense in the GMC and the second-best offense in the conference, but the Tinora defense also came playing as well as anyone in the area.
After losing teammate Braylen Blue via injury on the opening kickoff, the Tinora Rams delivered a strong defensive performance Friday night, shutting out the Paulding Panthers 20-0 in Green Meadows Conference football action at Paulding High School. Tinora combined a productive rushing attack, efficient passing, and several critical defensive stops to secure the road victory and a three-way tie for first place in the Green Meadows Conference standings to end the season.
Running back Cooper Replogle led the Rams with 142 yards rushing on 33 carries and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Owen Ferrell completed 17 of 23 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Tinora’s defense limited Paulding to 116 total yards and intercepted two passes.
Paulding quarterback Ridge Hunt and the Panthers’ offense faced a difficult evening against a Tinora defense that repeatedly tightened near the goal line. The Panthers reached scoring territory during the opening quarter but failed to convert their opportunities into points.
Paulding threatens early, but Tinora holds
The Panthers opened the game with their most promising first-quarter possession, advancing 57 yards on 11 plays. Hunt helped direct the drive as Paulding moved inside the Tinora 10-yard line.
The Rams eventually forced Paulding into a field-goal attempt from 21 yards, but Miquel Lopez’s kick was unsuccessful, leaving the game scoreless.
Tinora’s first possession ended with an interception, giving Paulding another opportunity to strike. The Panthers again reached the Tinora 9-yard line, but the Rams’ defense responded with a crucial stand. Paulding lost yardage on a rushing play before an incomplete pass and a fourth-down stop ended the threat.
The early defensive effort established the tone for the remainder of the game. Although Paulding demonstrated an ability to move the ball, Tinora consistently prevented the Panthers from finishing drives.
Ferrell connects with Gunter for the opening touchdown
Tinora finally broke through in the second quarter after putting together a 17-play, 74-yard scoring drive. The Rams used a combination of Replogle’s running and Ferrell’s passing to steadily advance into Paulding territory.
Ferrell connected with Owen Reynolds and Garrett Sheets during the possession as Tinora worked toward the end zone. Facing a short-yardage situation late in the drive, Ferrell found Isaac Gunter for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 4:23 remaining in the first half.
The extra point was successful by Owen Reynolds, giving Tinora a 7-0 lead.
Paulding struggled to generate an immediate response. The Panthers were forced to punt on their next possession, and Tinora was unable to add to its lead before halftime.
The Rams carried their seven-point advantage into the locker room, with the defense having already stopped two promising Paulding possessions.
The Rams limited the high-flying Panthers offense to just 54 total yards in the first half.
Rams maintain control after halftime
Tinora continued to move the football in the third quarter, putting together a 13-play, 66-yard drive that reached the Paulding 3-yard line. Replogle supplied much of the ground production as the Rams advanced deep into Panthers territory.
However, Tinora came away scoreless after a 20-yard field-goal attempt was unsuccessful as Reynolds kick hit the right upright. The Rams’ offense burned nearly 7 minutes off the third-quarter clock on the initial drive of the second half.
The missed opportunity kept Paulding within one score, but the Panthers could not take advantage. Tinora’s defense limited Paulding’s rushing attack and forced the Panthers to rely heavily on their passing attack.
Paulding finished with just 24 rushing yards on 14 attempts. The Panthers completed 12 of 31 passes for 93 yards and were unable to score despite reaching the Rams’ side of the field on multiple occasions.
The Rams also held a significant advantage in time of possession, controlling the ball for 33 minutes and 35 seconds compared with Paulding’s 14 minutes and 25 seconds.
Replogle puts the game away
Tinora’s offense delivered the decisive blows in the fourth quarter.
Following an interception by Josh Lieb, the Rams began a possession at the Paulding 30-yard line. Tinora advanced 30 yards in eight plays, mixing runs with short passes to move into scoring position.
Replogle finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run at the 6:51 mark. The successful extra point increased Tinora’s lead to 14-0.
The Rams’ defense immediately backed up the score by stopping Paulding on its next possession. The Panthers lost yardage and could not convert on fourth down, returning the ball to Tinora.
A big play for Paulding was called back when Jordan Manz’s 84-yard run was negated by a penalty with just under six minutes remaining in the game.
Replogle then struck again. After an initial rushing attempt gained no yardage, the Tinora running back broke through for a 12-yard touchdown run with 4:32 remaining. The extra point failed, but the Rams had extended their advantage to 20-0.
Replogle finished with 142 yards on 33 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. His two fourth-quarter touchdowns turned a competitive defensive battle into a comfortable Tinora victory.
Defensive plays prevent a Paulding comeback
The Panthers continued to search for a breakthrough, but Tinora’s defense came up with another important play late in the fourth quarter.
Paulding advanced into Tinora territory on a 12-play possession, attempting to keep its hopes alive. The Rams ended the drive when Jaxten DeWeese intercepted a pass, preserving the shutout.
Lieb’s interception earlier in the quarter and DeWeese’s late takeaway were central to Tinora’s defensive effort. Carter Radzik also recorded a sack as the Rams disrupted Paulding’s passing game.
Ferrell and receivers provide balanced attack
While Replogle led the ground game, Ferrell directed a balanced Tinora passing attack.
Ferrell completed 17 of 23 attempts for 127 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Josh Lieb led the receiving group with five catches for 44 yards, while Owen Reynolds also recorded five receptions for 32 yards.
Garrett Sheets added four catches for 37 yards, including a 24-yard reception that helped Tinora advance during its second-quarter scoring drive. Gunter finished with three receptions for 14 yards and the Rams’ touchdown.
Lieb contributed in several areas, recording an interception and handling punting duties. He averaged 26.3 yards on three punts.
Paulding had a run of 36 straight games without being shut out snapped by Tinora, as well as snapping Paulding’s 14-game Green Meadows Conference streak
Paulding falls to 8-2, 6-1 in the GMC. The Panthers will make the playoffs but will more than likely open on the road.
The Tinora Rams improve to 6-4 and finish 6-1 in the GMC. Unfortunately, the Rams will not qualify for the playoffs.
The Rams captured their 15th GMC Football Championship.
Football – 1991, 1992, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2026.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Cooper Replogle; congratulations!
The Patriot Outdoor Play of the Game went to Josh Lieb for his 4th quarter interception.
A BIG thank you to the Rams senior class:
Owen Ferrel, Cooper Replogle, Josh Lieb, Doug Hattemer, Koby Bumb, Dirk Pefley, Remmy Speiser, Nathan Sattler, Carter Radzik, DeShon Cooper.
Thank you to each of you for all your contributions to the Tinor football program over the years.
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