Tyrone football is back. The Golden Eagles boast an impressive 4-0 record heading into Friday night. But if anyone can put an end to Tyrone’s winning streak, it is the 4-0 Red Raiders of Bellefonte.

Bellefonte might be Tyrone’s first real test thus far and the records definitely show it. Both clubs enter play undefeated and if the Golden Eagles want to keep up that pace, they definitely can’t play like they did last week in Philipsburg.

“We didn’t play as good as we should have [last week]. We moved the ball on offense but didn’t finish drives. Although we held them on several series on defense, we gave up too many big plays on defense,’ said Tyrone Head Coach Jason Wilson, “If we want to be a top level team and reach our goals, we need to play better football to the level that we can play against all teams.”

While the final score was not close, the Mounties managed to challenge the Eagles in the first half. At one point, the Mounties led 14-6 and went into the half with only a 26-14 deficit, easily within striking range.

But Tyrone finally started to get it together with better defense and playmaking in the second half. Senior Zac Albright had another 100-yard performance and capped off Tyrone’s scoring in the third on a 12-yard run. Tyrone would pull away victorious, 32-14.

Bellefonte also played the Mounties just two short weeks ago, and it was a completely different story. The Red Raiders got on top early and never looked back, putting up 21 in the first quarter. They brought the physicality and it showed. Senior QB Kyle Myers threw three touchdowns and junior C.J. Funk rushed for another three.

The Bellefonte defense was on point, led by defensive lineman Caleb Rockey and his five total sacks, giving him 11 on the season. Rockey’s sacks accounted for five of his eight overall tackles against P-O, allowing the Red Raider to pull away with a massive 55-7 victory.

If comparing Tyrone and Bellefonte’s performances against Philipsburg doesn’t prove how good this Bellefonte team is, then their 44-7 victory over Central Mountain last week should.

In that contest, the Red Raiders racked up a punishing 338 yards rushing on the Wildcats and the Bellefonte only gave up 63 yards on the ground.

“They are a very physical team,” said Coach Wilson, “They have a very good running back and running quarterback. We must defend against their running game and eliminate any deep passes. Their defense is very good. It will be very challenging to move the ball against them.”

Bellefonte’s home field is closed this season for renovations so the game will take place at Bald Eagle. Whether this will have an impact on the game is unclear but Tyrone fans should be there in force as the students are planning to have a fan bus.

To walk out with a win this Friday, Tyrone must match them in physicality and eliminate turnovers. Tyrone must play good old-fashioned smash-mouth football and play very disciplined.