The Tyrone Golden Eagle football team will make the long trip to New Paris to play the Chestnut Ridge Lions this Friday. Both squads come into the game 8-1.

Chestnut Ridge’s only loss comes from currently undefeated Fort Hill hailing from Maryland. Tyrone’s lone defeat happened in Week 7 against a scrappy Clearfield Bison squad.

The two teams have one common opponent, the Central Dragons.  Both teams were victorious by small margins, Chestnut Ridge beat Central 15-12 in week six while the Golden Eagles defeated the Central Dragons 20-13 back in week two.

This game is set to be a tough one. Chestnut Ridge averages almost 200 rushing yards per game. So do the Golden Eagles. However, both teams are known for their lockdown run defense. Whoever can defend that reputation will probably come out victorious.

The X factor in this one may be the passing game.  Despite both teams’ obvious dedication to the running game, Tyrone averages about 50 more passing yards per game than the Lions.

However, the Lions have seen some impressive improvement through the air since the beginning of the season. In fact, Chestnut Ridge quarterback Tyler Wiley threw for 258 yards two weeks ago against Penns Valley.

“We are considering this our first playoff game,” senior defensive end Duane Boone said. “It’s going to be a tough one. Ridge is a very good team, but we know that either team could win this one.”

This matchup is truly a gut check for both teams at almost every position. Tyrone running back Aleic Hunter will try to outplay Chestnut Ridge’s deadly running game combo of senior brothers Tyler and Matt Wiley, each of whom as averaging about 5 yards per carry. Both teams have found massive success on the ground so far, largely due to solid offensive lines on each side.

Both teams are hungry for playoff seeding and a win this Friday, and both have the ability to come out on top.

Expect a dogfight.