Rams use balanced offense, big plays and four takeaways to defeat Antwerp
By Tinora Rams Live Sports Staff
DEFIANCE, Ohio — The Tinora Rams used a balanced offensive attack, explosive plays and a strong defensive performance to defeat the Antwerp Archers 34-14 Friday night.
Tinora built a 14-0 halftime advantage, watched Antwerp rally to within seven points in the third quarter, then the Rams answered with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure the victory.
Tinora strikes first
The Rams opened the scoring with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter when senior quarterback Owen Ferrell connected with sophomore wide receiver Isaac Gunter for a spectacular 66-yard touchdown.
Gunter, a sophomore, finished with four receptions for 81 yards, including the 66-yard touchdown. Tinora Football Roster
The touchdown came on just the second play of a 68-yard drive. After Cooper Replogle gained two yards, Ferrell found Gunter for the long scoring strike.
Replogle and Cooper lead the ground attack
Tinora extended its advantage in the second quarter.
With 8:55 remaining, Davion Cooper scored on a 10-yard run to finish a four-play, 22-yard drive. Ferrell had connected with senior Josh Lieb for 13 yards earlier in the possession.
Replogle was the Rams’ leading rusher. The senior running back/linebacker carried 16 times for 108 yards and one touchdown, including a 34-yard run. Cooper added 45 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Ferrell also scored a rushing touchdown.
Antwerp finds its offense in the third quarter
The Archers came out of halftime determined to make a comeback.
Tinora opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 62-yard touchdown drive, capped by Replogle’s five-yard touchdown run with 8:48 remaining. That made the score 21-0.
Antwerp immediately answered.
The Archers Gage Clevinger broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point was unsuccessful, leaving Antwerp behind 21-6.
Later in the quarter, Antwerp quarterback Ryder Hines connected with Parker Bermejo for a 10-yard touchdown. Antwerp then successfully converted a two-point pass from Hines to Bermejo, cutting Tinora’s lead to 21-14.
Suddenly, Antwerp had erased much of Tinora’s advantage and entered the fourth quarter within one score.
Rams answered with two fourth-quarter touchdowns
Tinora responded with an eight-play, 55-yard drive early in the fourth quarter.
The Rams converted several key plays on the ground before Cooper finished the possession with a six-yard touchdown run with 3:46 remaining.
Although the extra point was missed, Tinora had pushed its lead back to 27-14. antwerp-archers-at-tinora-rams
Antwerp attempted to answer, but Tinora’s defense produced another critical turnover.
On fourth down, the Archers’ pass was intercepted by Owen Reynolds, who returned it 24 yards to the Antwerp 31-yard line.
Tinora took advantage immediately.
Cooper gained 17 yards, Replogle added 12, and the Rams moved to the Antwerp 1-yard line. Ferrell then scored on a one-yard touchdown run with just 55 seconds remaining, giving Tinora its final 34-14 lead.
Antwerp’s final possession ended with Reynolds recording his second interception of the night, allowing Tinora to take a knee and finish the game.
Tinora defense forces four turnovers
The Rams’ defense made the difference at critical moments.
Tinora recorded three interceptions and two sacks in the official individual statistics. Cooper had two sacks, while Reynolds recorded two interceptions and Lieb added one.
Reynolds, a junior wide receiver/safety, made his biggest impact on defense with two late interceptions.
Lieb, a senior and three-year varsity letterman, also came up with an interception in the second quarter.
Rams passing and receiving
Ferrell completed 12 of 25 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Gunter led Tinora’s receiving attack with 81 yards and the 66-yard touchdown. Reynolds caught four passes for 34 yards, while Bryce Sines had one reception for 15 yards and Josh Lieb caught one for 13 yards.
Replogle added a 10-yard reception, and Grady Stark caught a five-yard pass.
A complete Rams victory
Tinora’s victory featured contributions from every phase of the game. Replogle provided the explosive rushing plays, Cooper scored twice on the ground, Ferrell directed the offense and scored a rushing touchdown, and Gunter delivered the game’s biggest offensive play with his 66-yard touchdown reception.
Defensively, Reynolds’ two interceptions, Lieb’s interception and Cooper’s two sacks helped Tinora withstand Antwerp’s third-quarter comeback.
For Antwerp, Clevinger’s 49-yard touchdown run and the Hines-to-Bermejo touchdown combination gave the Archers momentum in the third quarter, but Tinora’s fourth-quarter response proved decisive.
When the final whistle sounded, the Rams had completed a 34-14 victory, capping a strong finish after Antwerp had cut the deficit to seven points.
Antwerp falls to 3-4, 2-2 in the GMC. The Archers will host Fairview next Friday.
Tinora improves to 3-4, 3-1 in the GMC. The Rams hit the road to Wayne Trace next Friday in another huge GMC game.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to freshman Davion Cooper. Congratulations!!
The Patriot Outdoor Player of the Game was Isaac Gunter for his 66-yard TD reception in the first quarter.
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