In Friday nights Mountain League matchup, the Clearfield Bison defeated the Tyrone Golden Eagles 34-17. The final score was not indicative of the Eagles’ performance. Despite the 17 point deficit, a few plays one way or another and this game could have gone either way.

The Golden Eagles had the momentum to start the game after the opening kick was muffed and Tyrone recovered in Clearfield territory. Eight plays later junior running back Gary Weaver scored up the middle giving Tyrone an early 7-0 lead.

On the next drive Clearfield started to creep into Tyrone territory but Clearfield’s Seth Caldwell fumbled giving the ball back to Tyrone at its own 32. The Bison defense however held Tyrone to just three plays before intercepting quarterback Drew Hunter. A few plays Later Clearfield got on to the scoreboard when running back Seth Caldwell scored. Clearfield’s PAT attempt was blocked making the score 7-6.

Tyrone’s next drive was a short one as Clearfield’s defense stayed strong, forcing the Golden Eagles to punt. After Clearfield got the ball back, Tyrone’s stout defense forced a punt as well.

In a battle of field position, Tyrone was able to pin the Bison deep in their own territory.  The momentum again turned the Eagles was when an errant snap went through the back of endzone for a safety making the score to 9-6 Tyrone.

“I saw the ball on the ground and I almost was able to get to it,” said Tyrone defensive lineman Nick Bonsell, “but their quarterback made the smart play and batted the ball out of the endzone to give up the safety instead of the touchdown.”

Tyrone got decent field position on the ensuing free kick but just couldn’t get anything going offensively. Clearfield got the ball and after seven straight running plays, scored a touchdown to give the Bison their first lead of the night 13-9.

The Golden Eagles’ next drive looked to be a promising one after a 29-yard run from Gary Weaver and a 16 yard pass from Drew Hunter to Cullen Raftery that quickly put the Golden Eagles into Bison territory.

Tyrone lost a lot of momentum after failing to convert a fourth-and-9, giving the ball back to Clearfield, when a pass from Drew Hunter was batted down by Clearfield. After Clearfield drove down the field once again, they capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass. Making it 20-9 at the end of halftime.

Clearfield distanced their lead with two second half touchdowns. The Golden Eagles, handicapped by some controversial calls, including a holding penalty on an apparent Tyrone touchdown, could only manage to score once in the second half, with a 63-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter.

The Golden Eagles were shutout in the fourth quarter and gave up a couple of interceptions trying to get back into the game, making the final score 34-17 Clearfield.

“I think the questionable calls could’ve gone both ways, but it really came down to all of the small things, like turnovers,  with two high quality opponents like this,” said Tyrone senior Nick Bonsell.

Score By Quarters

Tyrone 7 2 8 0 – 17

Clearfield 6 14 7 7 – 34

First quarter

T – Weaver 2 run, (Vipond kick), 7:55.

C – Caldwell 6 run, (kick failed), 3:13.

Second quarter

T – Safety (snap through end zone), 11:01.

C – Caldwell 3 run, (Serena kick), 5:55.

C – Lezzer 12 pass from Spaid, (Serena kick), 1:01.

Third quarter

C – Caldwell 12 pass from Spaid, (Serena kick), 2:50.

T – Weaver 63 run, (Lewis pass from Hunter), 1:54.

Fourth quarter

C – Wingate 30 interception, (Serena kick), 5:44.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING:

Tyrone– Weaver 22-121, Plummer 1-4, Mitchell 1-0, Hunter 7-(-5), Team 1-(-26).

Clearfield – Caldwell 26-118, Lezzer 11-74, Shimmel 3-11, Spaid 4-6.

PASSING:

Tyrone– Hunter 8-19-4-116.

Clearfield – Spaid 7-9-0-113.

RECEIVING:

Tyrone – Lewis 3-55, Mitchell 2-41, Raftery 2-27, Weaver 1-3. Clearfield – Lezzer 4-85, Caldwell 3-28.

INTERCEPTIONS:

Clearfield- Wingate 2, Heichel, Sawyer.

TEAM STATISTICS 

First downs T-15 C-21

Rushes-Yard T-32-94 C-45-208

Comp-Att-Int T-8-19-4 C-7-9-0

Passing Yards T-116 C-113

Total offense T-210 C-321

Fumbles-Lost T-1-0 C-2-2

Penalties-Yards T-4-40 C-2-20

Punts-Avg T-3-39.6 C-2-28.5