Tyrone played tough defense for almost three quarters in a big Laurel Highlands matchup, but Penn Cambria was able to rally late for a 27-10 win that felt much closer than the final score.
On the first drive of the game, Tyrone was able to drive down the field, and Tytus Novak got the Golden Eagles on the board with a 30-yard field goal.
The Panthers then followed up by throwing an interception to Eli Woomer.
Unfortunately, Tyrone did not capitalize and punted the ball away to Penn Cambria’s Blake Lily, who broke some tackles and scored the only touchdown of the first half.
“Our special teams usually consisted of backups and underclassmen; this week, we’re going to make some changes, and unfortunately, guys that go both ways are going to play special teams too. We can’t afford to give up touchdowns and extra yardage,” senior Eli Woomer said.
Tyrone regrouped at half and came out guns blazing. The defense forced a punt, and Caleb Whitby broke off a 42-yard touchdown run to give the Golden Eagles the lead again.
This is where it all fell apart for Tyrone.
“We have to figure out how to close games. We had them where we wanted them and couldn’t get the job done. But I believe we are working to improve that,” senior John Stanton said.
Penn Cambria drove down the field, and Corbin Vinglish broke off a run of his own to give the Panthers a 14-10 lead. Tyrone’s offense then went 3 and out and put their defense back out on the field.
Eli Woomer came up with another crucial interception, but the offense yet again failed to capitalize in the red zone.
Midway through the third quarter, Tyrone was up 14-10 on Penn Cambria and was driving the field. Unfortunately, on fourth and two on their own 45 forced coach Franco to make the decision to punt. This was the turning point in the game; the Panthers rallied together and scored 20 unanswered points
Penn Cambria tallied 2 more touchdowns in the fourth quarter and ended the Golden Eagles’ night with a 27-10 loss.
Tyrone is set to take on Philipsburg-Osceola in a crucial game that determines whether the Golden Eagles will make the playoffs.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Tyrone 3 0 7 0 — 10
Penn Cambria 7 0 7 13 — 27
First Quarter
T–Novak 30 field goal, 8:39.
PC–Lilly 45 punt return (Jones kick), 1:49.
Third Quarter
T–Whitby 42 run (Novak kick), 6:02.
PC–Vinglish 23 run (Jones kick), 4:44.
Fourth Quarter
PC–Jones 10 run (kick failed), 8:14.
PC–Jones 15 run (Jones kick), 3:53.
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs
T–15
PC–20
Total yards
T–315
PC–472
Rushes-yards
T–33-165
PC–36-339
Yards passing
T–150
PC–133
Passing (comp.-att.-int.)
T–10-20-2
PC–11-19-2
Punts-avg.
T–3-33
PC–1-50
Fumbles-lost
T–2-1
PC–1-0
Penalties-yards
T–6-65
PC–8-64
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Tyrone, Whitby 19-117, A. Emigh 9-40, Walk 1-6, Woomer 4-2. Penn Cambria, Latterner 7-131, Vinglish 17-123, Jones 6-55, Beck 4-21, Lilly 2-9.
PASSING–Tyrone, Walk 8-13-1-101, Woomer 2-7-1-49. Penn Cambria, Latterner 5-8-1-80, Jones 6-11-1-53.
RECEIVING–Tyrone, A. Emigh 2-21, M. Emigh 3-23, Robinson 2-12, Whitby 1-47, Woomer 1-41, Martin 1-6. Penn Cambria, Lilly 9-114, Nadolsky 2-19.
