Initially it looked like the 2015 edition of Tyrone vs. Bellefonte was going to be a game.  Tyrone’s high-powered offense struggled early, and neither team could produce any points for the first 16 minutes of the game.

But much like the 1988 Washington Redskins in Superbowl XXII, who started slow but put up 35 unanswered points in the second against Denver, the Golden Eagles used an explosive second quarter to power themselves to a 42-0 victory over the Red Raiders.

“The first quarter represented our week of practice,” said Head Coach Jason Wilson, “we played like we practiced early on, very sluggish. It took us awhile to find traction on offense.”

Finding traction is an understatement. The offense put up four touchdowns in less than seven minutes and took a 27-0 lead into the half.

Three rushing touchdowns by running back Gary Weaver powered Tyrone through much of the first half.

Weaver finished the game with 89 yards on 22 carries, giving him 480 yards and nine rushing touchdowns at the midpoint of the season.

Senior quarterback Drew Hunter is having one of the best seasons by a quarterback in school history, putting up video game like numbers as far. Hunter is well on his way to joining Tyrone’s 1,000 yard passer club with a staggering 859 yards through the first five games. As if that wasn’t enough, Hunter has tossed 12 touchdowns to zero interceptions; Aaron Rodgers like numbers with the jersey number to match.

He and Senior Cullen Raftery have displayed good chemistry so far, connecting for 270 yards and four touchdowns.  But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Golden Eagles 4-1 start is the emergence of sophomore receiver Parker Mitchell.

“Being a sophomore, I knew I had to make the most of my opportunities from day one,” said Mitchell immediately following the game.

Making the most of an opportunity is an understatement. In addition to the two receiving touchdowns last night, Mitchell contributed the most exciting play of the game with a 60 end-around run, evading what seemed to be the entire Red Raider defense on the way to end zone.

Mitchell’s 368 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns lead the team.  He is also tied for the team lead in total touchdowns with tailback Gary Weaver with nine. Mitchell has been a staple of a Golden Eagle offense that has put up a scary 37.2 points per game.

Not to be outdone, an experienced Golden Eagle defense had their first shut out of the season against Bellefonte, stopping the Red Raiders inside the 20 yard line on four occasions. Weaver added his third interception of the season, and the 13th takeaway overall for the “Dirty-Birds.”

“We kept up the pressure all night,” said senior defensive end Ricky Reader, “When we keep the other team out of the end zone our offense does the rest.”

It has been extremely difficult to score against the Golden Eagles, giving up an impressive 18 points per game so far on the season.

The back half of the season takes the team back home to Gray-Vets field this Friday as the take on Bald Eagle and look to extend their winning streak to four games.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Tyrone 0 27 8 7 – 42

Bellefonte 0 0 0 0 – 0

First quarter

none

Second quarter

T-Weaver 1 run (Vipond kick), 8:07.

T-Weaver 3 run (kick failed), 5:44.

T-Mitchell 60 run (Vipond kick), 3:00.

T-Weaver 1 run (Vipond kick), 1:44.

Third quarter

T-Mitchell 29 pass from Hunter (Weaver run), 3:50.

Fourth quarter

T-Mitchell 11 pass from Hunter (Vipond kick), 6:50.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Tyrone-Weaver 22-85, Mitchell 1-60, Loose 6-51, Soellner 3-5. Bellefonte-Jackson 13-75, Kephart 5-21, Boone 3-20, Gallishaw 2-10, Gardner 1-7, Kreger 5-6, Owens 1-4, TEAM 1-(-8).

PASSING: Tyrone-Hunter 13-17-0-173. Bellefonte-Armstrong 5-14-1-68, Gardner 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING: Tyrone-Mitchell 6-72, Lewis 4-63, Raftery 2-15, Soellner 1-13. Bellefonte-Helms 3-51, Jabco 2-17.

INTERCEPTIONS: Tyrone-Weaver. Bellefonte-none.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs T-16 B-13

Rushes-yards T-32-201 B-31-135

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) T-13-17-0 B-5-15-1

Yards passing T-173 B-68

Total yards T-374 B-203

Fumbles-lost T-0-0 B-2-0

Penalties-yards T-3-22 B-1-12

Punts-avg. T-2-49.0 B-3-29.3