The Tyrone Area varsity football team continued in their winning ways in week two, defeating the rival Central Dragons  by a score of 20-13.

This was somewhat of a revenge game for the Golden Eagles, who had fallen to the Central Dragons the past two seasons.

“We really executed down the stretch. It all came down to us out-conditioning our opponents,” said senior quarterback Garrett Hunter, responsible for all three Golden Eagle touchdowns.

“All the credit goes to my offensive line and skill players for moving the ball down field. Without their effort, I wouldn’t have been able to score in the first place,” said Hunter.

The first of Hunter’s touchdowns came in the second quarter by way of a quarterback keeper.

Central would respond later with a 25 yard touchdown pass to even the score at seven.

A defensive showdown in the first half left both teams gridlocked going into the second half, neither team showing a clear advantage. Interceptions by defensive backs Nick Getz and Cullen Raftery kept the Dragon offense at bay through most of the first half.

The second half started off well for Tyrone, scoring off another Garrett Hunter touchdown run, set up by a long scamper by running back Aleic Hunter. The extra point was blocked however, leaving the score at 13-7.

It would take Central till the fourth quarter to respond with a touchdown run by  Alex Hoenstine.  However, a failed extra point attempt kept the score knotted at thirteen.

The Golden Eagle offense soon found their second wind, orchestrating a long touchdown drive.  The drive showcased the versatility of their offense, as they mixed up the run and pass well. Once again, Garrett Hunter punched the ball in from a yard out, making the score 20-13 with just over two minutes remaining.

The Dragons had one more chance to even the score, but it didn’t take long for the Golden Eagles to take the ball back, with senior linebacker Jake Makdad icing the game with an interception.

“He threw it right at me. What else was I supposed to do?,’ said Makdad, “Our defense put them in a proverbial glove all game, the clinching takeaway was inevitable in the end.”

Looking forward, Tyrone goes up against the Huntington Bearcats, sporting a 1-1 record of their own.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Tyrone: 0 7 6 7 – 20

Central: 0 7 0 6 – 13

Second quarter

T-G. Hunter 6 run (Vipond kick), 5:43.

C-Helsel 25 pass from N. Benton (Muthler kick), 2:29.

Third quarter

T-G. Hunter 2 run (kick failed), 9:18.

Fourth quarter

C-A. Hoenstine 24 run (kick failed), 8:24

T-G. Hunter 1 run (Vipond kick), 2:34

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Tyrone-A. Hunter 23-136, Sleeth 7-46, G. Hunter 12-39, Weaver 1-0, TEAM 1-(-2). Central-M. Mock 5-28, A. Hoenstine 2-24, N. Hoenstine 2-17, Langer 4-5, Weyant 1-3, N. Benton 10-0, TEAM 1-(-2)

PASSING: Tyrone-G. Hunter 6-16-1-65. Central-N. Benton 9-16-3-102, M. Mock 1-1-0-25

RECEIVING: Tyrone-Sleeth 2-34, Boone 1-16, Getz 1-10, A. Hunter 1-3, Crawford 1-2. Central-Helsel 3-47, A. Hoenstine 3-36, M. Mock 2-15, Smith 1-7, Knepp 1-22

INTERCEPTIONS: Tyrone-Raftery, Getz, Makdad. Central-Knepp

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs T – 14 C – 8

Rushes-yards T 44-219 C – 25-75

Passing (comp.-att.-int.)T – 6-16-1 C – 10-17-3

Yards passing T – 65 C – 127

Total yards T – 284 C – 202

Fumbles-lost T: 1-0 C: 1-0

Penalties-yards T – 5-29 C – 5-31

Punts-avg. T – 3-31.7 C – 3-29.0