Saturday night belonged to Tyrone wideout Damon Gripp. The senior posted 1o catches for 233 yards and a touchdown against the Penn Cambria secondary, accounting for all but 11 yards of the Golden Eagle offense through the air.

The highlight of Gripp’s night was a 29-yard touchdown catch into the corner of the end zone from quarterback Brandon Lucas that gave Tyrone the 13-7 lead in the third quarter.

“Brandon was on the money with his passes to me. We have a good connection. He’s been my quarterback for so long. We both read the defense, and he knew I would be open deep and he threw it where it needed to be for me to get it,” said Gripp.

The 20-14 win sets the Golden Eagles up for a district championship matchup next week against rival Central.  This will be Tyrone’s first trip to the D6 Championship game since 2014. 

Tyrone led in all statistical categories, but three costly interceptions ended Tyrone drives and kept the Panthers in the game until the fourth quarter. 

The game began with both teams shutting down the other’s opening drive, but the Panthers were able to march down the field on their second drive and take the early 7-0 lead on a Harrold four-yard touchdown run. 

The Eagles tied the game in the second quarter on a 2 yard Brandon Lucas run into the endzone. 

Tyrone’s defense proved solid throughout the game, forcing Penn Cambria to a turnover on downs many times.  Senior Matt Clifton had four and a half sacks and pressured Penn Cambria quarterback Garrett Harrold all night.

However, the Panthers were able to keep themselves in the game by forcing three Golden Eagle turnovers, all interceptions.

“As a team, I think we need to play better, and if we’re going to beat Central we need to play better,” said Gripp.

The third quarter was good for the Golden Eagles. A 29-yard pass from Brandon Lucas to Damon Gripp in the endzone put the Eagles ahead by 6, but a missed extra point put the score at 13-7. 

Tyrone increased their lead in the fourth quarter with a Lucas 6 yard run for another touchdown. Kendal Markley put up an extra point for the team and put the Eagles at 20-7. 

The Eagles defense held out for as long as they could but the Penn Cambria offense  scored a one-yard touchdown with 6:04 left in the game, to make it 20-14.

The Eagles held that lead for the rest of the game until the end.

“I’m very excited for districts because, much like the rest of the team, I’ve never played in a district championship,” said Gripp. 

The Eagles play at Mansion Park this Saturday for the District 6 Championship.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Penn Cambria 7 0 0 7 — 14

Tyrone 0 7 6 7 — 20

First Quarter

PC–Harrold 4 run (Michina kick), 7:03.

Second Quarter

T–Lucas 2 run (Markley kick), 2:50.

Third Quarter

T–Gripp 29 pass from Lucas (kick failed), 4:13.

Fourth Quarter

T–Lucas 6 run (Markley kick), 10:24.

PC–Harrold 1 run (Michina kick), 6:20.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs

PC – 10

T – 18

Total yards

PC -280

T -390

Rushes-yards

PC -34-89

T -39-146

Yards passing

PC -191

T -244

Passing (comp.-att.-int.)

PC -16-24-0

T -11-17-3

Punts-avg.

PC – 4-33.8

T -3-30.7

Fumbles-lost

PC -0-0

T -0-0

Penalties-yards

PC -8-65

T -8-75

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

Penn Cambria, Grove 9-36, Harrold 20-26, Marinak 4-24, Smith 1-3.

Tyrone, Hicks 21-72, Lucas 16-70, Gampe 2-4.

PASSING

Penn Cambria, Harrold 16-24-0-191.

Tyrone, Lucas 11-17-3-244

RECEIVING

Penn Cambria, Storm 5-53, Grove 5-51, Marinak 4-61, Tsikalas 2-26.

Tyrone, Gripp 10-233, Gwinn 1-11.