The 2-2 Golden Eagles will defend their home field against the 3-1 Red Raiders this Friday night at Gray Field.

Looking at the stats, this should be the hardest game this season for Tyrone. Bellefonte is the best team that the Eagles have taken on this year. They are very large in size and numbers. They are a very run heavy team and they have an outstanding running back.

Bellefonte started their season with a rough week one game, losing to Jersey Shore 55-35 but since then they have won three in a row, including a 55-7 domination of Philipsburg, a team that Tyrone struggled to defeat last week.

In their past three games Bellefonte’s offense has averaged 44 points.

“Bellefonte is going to be a very good team if not the best we have played this season. We need to come out playing our best,” said Tyrone senior lineman Kaleb Snook.

Led by senior standout tailback C.J. Funk, the Red Raiders will play smash mouth football, attempting to run the football right down Tyrone’s throat.

The Red Raiders like to hand the ball off to Funk behind their big and capable offensive line.

Funk already has 42 carries for 645 yards in only four games.

The Golden Eagles will need to adjust their defense to shut down Funk.

Tyrone opened the season with two heartbreaking losses to Bellwood and Central, but the past two games they have turned things around beating Bishop Carroll and Philipsburg.

However, this week will be a big test for Tyrone.  The team has a lot  facing plus the good team they are playing.

Bellefonte biggest weakness, if they have one is that they don’t pass very much. So as long as Tyrone can shut down the run they should be able to keep up with the Red Raiders.

Tyrone has played hard this season and they are beginning to be rewarded for playing that way.

Tyrone needs to go into the game looking for a hard fight.

Expect to see a very close game.