The Backyard Brawl’s move from the opener to week four of the high school football season made this year’s rivalry between Bellwood and Tyrone seem more important than ever.
The Golden Eagles saw it as a must-win game after a tough 41-22 loss to Bald Eagle and opening the season with a 1-3 record. The Blue Devils were likely even more hungry for a win, after starting their season an uncharacteristic 0-3.
The main focus for the Golden Eagles defensively was to stop Bellwood freshman running back Alex McCartney who had 575 yards rushing coming into the game.
The Tyrone defensive game plan did not disappoint, holding McCartney to only 54 yards on 18 carries.
Not only was the run stopped but the Blue Devil passing game was unsuccessful as well, only completing 6 passes for 28 yards.
“The D-line was able to keep McCartney to only 54 yards when he averages 100 a game, so that was the key to shutting them out,” said junior quarterback Ashton Walk.
In the first quarter, the game looked like it would be tight. The Golden Eagles began the game with the ball, but quickly turned it over when running back Brady Ronan lost the handle on the ball on the second play of the game.
Bellwood took over at the Tyrone 20-yard line and drove to the Tyrone one, when linebacker Austin Lucas came up with a key tackle, stopping the Blue Devils on fourth and goal.
The Golden Eagle offense responded with a 99-yard drive for the game’s first score early in the second quarter.
From there it was all Tyrone on both sides of the ball.
This was followed by two more defensive stops from Tyrone, along with two more scores from Brady Ronan and Andrew Weaver to give the Golden Eagles a 20-0 lead going into halftime.
Coming out of the half with a lot of energy the Eagle’s defense continued to show their dominance by stopping the Blue Devils on fourth down once again to give the ball back to the Tyrone offense who would go on to score once again.
The rest of the 3rd and 4th quarter continued to be a blowout, with the Golden Eagles adding two more scores from Dravyn Crowell and Brady Ronan to lengthen the lead to 34-0.
“They couldn’t stop us on either side of the ball, our defense got them to go 3 and out almost every drive and our offense took advantage of every opportunity,” said senior wide receiver Andrew Weaver.
Overall the Golden Eagles offense was unstoppable, Rushing for 115 yards on 34 attempts and passing for 250 yards on 24 attempts.
This Huge win improves Tyrone’s record to 2-3 and gives them a ton of confidence as they go into the 3-2 Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders who are coming off of a 10-7 loss to Central.
The game will take place at 7:00 PM. Mansion Park this Friday.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Bellwood-Antis 0 0 0 0 — 0
Tyrone 0 20 7 7 — 34
Second Quarter
T–A. Walk 12 run (Romani kick), 7:53.
T–Ronan 11 pass from A. Walk (kick failed), 3:37.
T–Weaver 54 pass from A. Walk (Romani kick), :59.
Third Quarter
T–Crowell 39 pass from A. Walk (Romani kick), 4:32.
Fourth Quarter
T–Ronan 7 run (Romani kick), 8:00.
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs
BA 8
T 17
Total yards
BA 92
T 365
Rushes-yards
BA 27-64
T 34-115
Yards passing
BA 28
T 250
Passing (comp.-att.-int.)
BA 6-15-1
T 14-24-0
Punts-avg.
BA 4-33.3
T 1-46
Fumbles-lost
BA 1-1
T 1-1
Penalties-yards
BA 3-25
T 4-25
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Bellwood-Antis, McCartney 18-52, H. Schreier 4-12, Gibbons 1-2, Hescox 3-2, Kyle 1-(-4). Tyrone, Ronan 20-72, Emigh 7-26, A. Walk 4-12, Woomer 1-7, TEAM 2-(-2).
PASSING–Bellwood-Antis, H. Schreier 6-15-1-28. Tyrone, A. Walk 14-24-0-250.
RECEIVING–Bellwood-Antis, Gibbons 2-16, Poorman 2-6, Kyle 1-6. Tyrone, Weaver 7-139, Crowell 3-50, Woomer 2-46, Ronan 2-15.