For the first time since 2011 the Tyrone Golden Eagles will play for a District 6 AA Championship after defeating Huntington in resounding fashion, 42-15.

“I love all of my brothers,” said an emotional senior Mark Lewis immediately after the game, “now we just need to bring home a district title.”

Lewis led a dominant offensive line that opened up enough holes for Tyrone to rush for 291 yards on only 40 carries. In comparison, aside from one 57 yard touchdown run, the Bearcats amassed 146 yards on the ground at an average of 4.0 yards a carry.

Tyrone was dominant early and often, posting a 28 point lead going before halftime.

Garrett Hunter tossed for 117 yards on 10 of 16 completions and found Nick Getz for the first score of the game from five yards out.

Wide out Cameron Bakhsheshe scored on an electrifying 47 yard reverse that really swung the momentum in favor of the Golden Eagles, making it 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Senior running back Aleic Hunter had another dominant game, rushing for 156 yards on 18 carries and two second half touchdowns. A. Hunter also surpassed 1,500 rushing yards on the season during the game.

However, the performance that stood out most was senior linebacker/fullback Eli Sleeth.

In the first half Sleeth had several tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a rushing touchdown.

That would’ve been noteworthy enough, but it was his 60 yard interception return for touchdown, that put Tyrone up by three scores, 21-0.

Sleeth then added a second touchdown, scoring from 3 yards out right before the half, making it 28-0 Tyrone at halftime.

“I had a great game tonight, but there’s always room for improvement,” said Sleeth, “we’re going to need to play our best game of the season next week. It seems like we’re peaking at the right time.”

Turnovers really killed the Bearcats, in addition to Sleeth’s two takeaways in the first half, Tyrone’s Zack Soellner added an interception and Cullen Raftery recovered a fumble, making this the second game in a row that the Tyrone defense has had at least four takeaways.

Tyrone will clash with the 12-0 Mount Union Trojans for the District title on Saturday at Mansion Park in Altoona at 7:00 pm. 13.

No doubt the most anticipated game of the season, expect to see some fireworks before the final whistle blows.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Huntingdon 0 0 15 0 – 15

Tyrone 7 21 14 0 – 42

First quarter

T-Getz 5 pass from G. Hunter (Vipond kick), 7:01.

Second quarter

T-Bakhsheshe 47 run (Vipond kick), 10:44.

T-Sleeth 60 interception return (Vipond kick), 1:41.

T-Sleeth 4 run (Vipond kick), :21.

Third quarter

H-Glenny 77 kickoff return (Heaton kick), 11:45.

T-A. Hunter 30 run (Getz run), 10:39.

H-Wagner 57 run (Wagner run), 6:48.

T-A. Hunter 20 run (kick failed), 5:39.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING:

Huntingdon-Wagner 23-164, H. Speck 11-26, Glenny 1-7, Oliver 1-5, Fisher 1-1.

Tyrone-A. Hunter 18-156, Baksheshe 6-82, Weaver 7-36, Sleeth 3-10, G. Hunter 3-8, Taylor 1-1, TEAM 2-(-2).

PASSING:

Huntingdon-H. Speck 4-14-2-45.

Tyrone-G. Hunter 10-16-0-117, D. Hunter 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING:

Huntingdon-Scott 2-14, M. Speck 1-28, Fisher 1-3

Tyrone-Getz 5-60, A. Hunter 2-29, Boone 1-15, Crawford 1-15, Sleeth 1-(-2).

INTERCEPTIONS:

Tyrone-Sleeth, Soellner.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs H-8 T-21

Rushes-yards H-37-203 T-40-291

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) H-4-14-2 T-10-17-0

Yards passing H-45 T-117

Total yards H-248 T-418

Fumbles-lost H-3-2 T-3-3

Penalties-yards H-5-45 T-4-25

Punts-avg. H-5-34 T-2-28