Tinora Uses Big Plays and Ground Attack to Defeat Ayersville, 27-8

DEFIANCE, Ohio

Entering the 51st River Bowl, Ayersville still held a 25-24-1 advantage over the Tinora Rams. At stake, the ever-coveted Victory Bell. The Rams entered the season having won 20 of the last 24 meetings vs. the Pilots since 2002.

The Tinora seniors were honored during pregame festivities for all fall sports and band participants.

The Tinora Rams combined a productive ground game, timely passing and a key defensive takeaway to earn a 27-8 victory over the Ayersville Pilots in a Green Meadows Conference football matchup.

Tinora scored in the first and second quarters to build a 14-0 halftime advantage, then added two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away after a scoreless third period. Ayersville made a late push with a touchdown pass and a safety, but the Rams answered with a long scoring connection to preserve the victory.

The game book lists the date and site as unrecorded, so no specific game date or venue is included in this report.

Replogle sets the tone for Tinora

Tinora running back Cooper Replogle paced the Rams’ offense, carrying the ball 24 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and recorded a 28-yard long run Friday in the Rams win vs. Ayersville.

Replogle opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point was good by Owen Reynolds, giving Tinora a 7-0 lead.

The Rams extended their advantage in the second quarter. After Replogle helped move the offense into scoring position, quarterback Owen Ferrell connected with receiver Owen Reynolds for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 5:18 left in the half. Reynolds’ successful XP kick made it 14-0.

Tinora’s running game continued to produce after halftime. Josh Lieb added 8 carries for 37 yards, while Davion Cooper gained 11 yards on 2 attempts before an injury.

Rams strike twice in the fourth

After the teams went scoreless in the third quarter, Tinora put together an eight-play, 55-yard drive that ended with Replogle’s second touchdown. His 9-yard scoring run at the 9:30 mark increased the Rams’ lead to 21-0, and Reynolds’ extra point was good.

Ayersville responded with its best scoring drive of the game. The Pilots advanced 69 yards over 11 plays, reaching the end zone on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Brady Zartman to Braylon Yunker with 5:52 remaining. The conversion failed, leaving Tinora ahead 21-6. The Pilots recorded their 1st down of the game with 9:30 remaining on the scoring drive.

The Pilots recovered their ensuing onside kick, creating another scoring opportunity. But not before a lengthy, nearly 20-minute delay as the officials huddled and pulled out the rulebook before finally giving the Pilots the recovery.

However, immediately after the long delay, the Rams defense forced a fumble, ending the possession and returning the ball to Tinora with 5:50 on the game clock.

The Rams needed only two plays to capitalize after the Pilots turnover. After a short run by Cooper Replogle, Ferrell connected with Doug Hattemer for a 57-yard touchdown pass at 4:35. The extra point was unsuccessful, but Tinora had increased its lead to 27-6.

Ayersville added the final points when Tinora was stopped deep in its own territory. A safety with 3:14 remaining made the final score 27-8. Tinora’s punter ran out of the back of the end zone.

Ferrell spreads the ball around

Owen Ferrell completed eight of 18 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His performance included the 13-yard scoring pass to Reynolds and the 57-yard touchdown to Hattemer.

Reynolds led the Rams with four receptions for 85 yards, averaging 21.3 yards per catch. His longest reception covered 39 yards. Hattemer caught one pass for 57 yards, while Replogle added two receptions for 22 yards. Isaac Gunter finished with one catch for nine yards.

Tinora also received an important defensive contribution from Ian Gustwiller, who intercepted an Ayersville pass in the second quarter. The takeaway helped halt a Pilots possession near their own goal line.

Ayersville searches for offensive rhythm

Ayersville produced 156 yards of total offense, including 136 passing yards and 20 rushing yards. The Pilots completed 12 of 26 passes and threw one interception; most of the Pilots’ yards came in the final quarter.

Ayersville’s second fourth-quarter possession after the touchdown ended with a fumble, and the Pilots later turned the ball over on downs near Tinora’s end zone. The defense also forced the Rams into difficult field position late, resulting in the safety that produced Ayersville’s final points

Ayersville drops to 3-6, 204 in the GMC. The Pilots will finish the season hosting Antwerp.

The Rams improve to 5-4, 4-1 in the GMC. Tinora travels to Paulding Friday to take on the Panthers.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Josh Lieb. Congratulations, Josh.

The Patriot Outdoors Hunting Play of the Game went to Ian Gustwiller for his strip-forced fumble after the 20-minute delay.

Official time of the delay was 20 minutes and 3 seconds.

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