After one of the most dominating Backyard Brawls of all time, the Golden Eagles are finally back in the win column. But there is no rest in the competitive Laurel Highlands Conference as this week Tyrone faces a new challenge against the talented Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders.
While only 15 miles separates the two schools, they have only met on the gridiron four times in history, with all four games ending in a Golden Eagle victory.
In recent years the Marauders have been no strangers to success. Since 2020, Bishop Guilfoyle has a combined record of 31-13 with a PIAA state championship victory in 2021.
BG Head Coach Justin Wheeler has proven himself to be an elite coach as he has recorded over 120 wins in the 13 years that he has been the head of the table for Bishop Guilfoyle.
The Marauders are coming off a tough overtime loss to Central last week, a game they were only a missed field goal away from winning.
Taking the snaps behind center is junior Chase Kissell. This is Kissel’s first year as the main signal caller for the Marauders.
Listed at 6 ‘3, 194 pounds, Kissel can sling the ball downfield and make plays with his feet outside the pocket using his physical attributes. So far this season, Kissel has passed for over 800 yards with 10 total scores and 5 interceptions.
Leading the rushing attack are senior Ryann Hagg and senior Kaden Wyandt. Wyandt is listed at only 5’9, however, he is a bruising back that can make defenders look stupid with ease. Hagg’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is what makes the Marauders hard to game-plan for. Both backs have over 330 total yards so far this season with Wyandt finding the endzone five times and Hagg having three scores of his own.
Speedy wideout Braden Reilly has been Kissell’s main target so far this season. Reilly has done a great job of creating separation as well as making defenders miss in the open field. Bishop Guilfoyle will look to get him the ball quickly to utilize his yards-after-catch ability. Reilly has 19 receptions for 323 yards with three trips to the endzone.
The front line has also been a strength for the Marauders. The size of Bishop Guilfoyle’s front five on both sides of the ball is impressive.
However, The big boys up front for the Golden Eagles have gotten better and better with every week. Tyrone’s offensive and defensive lines dominated in the week five matchup against Bellwood and will look to build off that against Bishop Guilfoyle.
Throughout the first half of the season, the Golden Eagles have had their ups and downs, but they are making consistent strides and getting better every week. As the offensive line grows Tyrone’s playmakers start to stand out more and more.
Tyrone’s receivers have also improved greatly in recent weeks. The Golden Eagles pass catchers had a monster game against Bellwood. With Andrew Weaver making defenders miss all day long, Drayven Crowell going up for spectacular catches and Eli Woomer getting past the defense downfield. Bishop Guilfoyle must respect all three wideouts if they want to stop Tyrone’s passing attack led by junior Ashton Walk, who has already thrown for 1,000 passing yards this season so far.
Clearly, Tyrone will need to play better than they did against Central to take down the Marauders, but with the return of a key contributor in Drayvn Crowell, a confidence-boosting shutout win vs. Bellwood, and a good week of practice, Tyrone might just be up to the challenge.
The game kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. at Mansion Park in Altoona.
