The Tyrone Golden Eagles are set to play their home opener against Westmont Hilltop on Friday, August 29th, and anticipation is high as both teams are looking for their first win of the season.
Westmont enters the contest under the guidance of first-year head coach Josh Rearick, who brings a new offensive philosophy and a powerful running back, Bryce Goodman, who could prove to be one of Tyrone’s toughest defensive challenges this year.
Tyrone heads into the game seeking redemption after a heartbreaking 21-20 defeat against the Bellefonte Red Raiders to start the season.
The Golden Eagles controlled the game at Bellefonte for most of the night, even holding a 20-7 lead in the fourth quarter, but Bellefonte staged a dramatic late rally. An onside kick recovery and a series of costly penalties allowed Bellefonte to seize the win in the final moments.
Despite the loss, Tyrone saw strong individual performances, with senior quarterback Eli Woomer shining in his varsity debut behind the center.
Woomer went 12-for-20 for 229 yards, second best in the Laurel Highlands last week, and delivered a touchdown pass.
Mason Emigh was another key playmaker, hauling in an 80-yard score from Woomer and also making a clutch endzone interception just before halftime.
Westmont Hilltop comes to Tyrone with Rearick, a former Hilltopper standout at wide receiver, now leading the program.
The change is evident, as the Hilltoppers threw 27 passes in their opener, far outpacing last season’s averages.
Although Westmont fell 42-13 to Forest Hills to start its campaign, the team showed flashes of potential, particularly in the backfield with Goodman at the helm.
Goodman rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries and added a receiving score, establishing himself as a threat who can change the game with one play.
Containing Goodman will be a central challenge for Tyrone’s defense, especially for the D-line and linebackers.
“We’ve seen big running backs in the past,” said senior defensive end Ashton Emigh, referencing last year’s Chestnut Ridge game, “I think if we tackle him low and just hit our aiming points, we will manage him just fine.”
These two programs don’t meet often, but when they do, Tyrone has been dominant.
Tyrone has won all of the last four previous meetings, each in postseason play, with victories in 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2007, including two shutouts and memorable defensive performances like a six-interception game in the snowy 2007 contest.
Although Tyrone’s special teams struggled against Bellefonte, giving up long returns and surrendering an onside kick recovery, the Eagles will see sophomore Coltyn Frye return from injury, a key addition for special teams and as a rotational player to give starters valuable rest on both sides of the ball.
Wide receivers and defensive backs coach Brad Kanuch will have extra motivation in this matchup, having starred for Westmont as a receiver during his own high school career.
With both teams hungry for a win and many fresh faces on the field, tonight’s game promises intense action and a lively crowd.
Head coach John Franco has been reminding his Tyrone squad to stay focused and be ready, noting that Westmont will be more settled in their new system now that the first game jitters are out of the way.
For Tyrone, this is a chance to defend their home turf and avoid an early losing streak, while Westmont looks to start a new chapter in its history.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM at Gray Veterans Memorial Field.
