Tyrone faced rival Philipsburg-Osceola on Friday, knowing that a win would clinch a playoff spot, but a loss would end their postseason hopes.
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Golden Eagles stepped onto Gray Field on Homecoming night determined to extend their season, and didn’t disappoint.
The Golden Eagles beat the Mountaineers 28–7 to secure a berth in the District 6 AAA playoffs.
“We knew we had to win this game to make the playoffs, so we had to play at the top of our game,” said senior offensive lineman Lucas Bonsell. “We came into the game focused and played together, and that all showed on the scoreboard when we sent home PO 28-7 to clinch playoffs.”
P-O’s standout running back Chapman carried the ball 35 times for 181 yards and a touchdown, but Tyrone’s defense came up big when it mattered most — forcing four Mountie turnovers that helped seal the victory.
After winning the toss, the Mountaineers chose to receive, firing up Tyrone’s defense even more. The Golden Eagles responded immediately, forcing a three-and-out on P-O’s opening drive.
However, Tyrone suffered an early setback when standout defensive end Kyler Suhoney left the game with a high ankle sprain.
The Golden Eagles’ offense quickly took control. Starting from their own 34-yard line after a 35-yard punt, Tyrone marched down the field on a five-play, 66-yard drive capped by a 35-yard touchdown run by junior Caleb Whitby.
On their next drive, P-O managed a few first downs before Tyrone batted down a fourth-down pass to halt the threat.
With less than a minute left in the half, quarterback Ben Walk connected with Mason Emigh for a 27-yard touchdown, giving Tyrone a 14–0 lead at halftime.
The Mountaineers clawed back in the third quarter, scoring their lone touchdown on a 7-yard run by Chapman to make it 14–7. But on the ensuing kickoff, Whitby answered immediately with a 90-yard return for a touchdown, restoring Tyrone’s two-score lead.
The defense put the game away in the fourth quarter when Aiden Emigh returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown.
“Our defense has held our team together this year,” said senior captain and linebacker Owen Oakes. “We’ve had some ups and downs, but our defense has always held strong — and that’s why we won this game.”
With the win, Tyrone clinched a District 6 AAA playoff berth as the fourth seed. A win against Chestnut Ridge and a Forest Hills loss could move the Golden Eagles up to the third seed.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Philipsburg-Osceola 0 0 7 0 — 7
Tyrone 7 7 7 7 — 28
First Quarter
T–Whitby 35 (Novak kick), 8:17.
Second Quarter
T–M. Emigh 26 pass from Walk (Novak kick),:47.
Third Quarter
PO–Chapman 7 run (Phillips kick), 3:32.
T–Whitby 90 kickoff return (Novak kick), 3:17.
Fourth Quarter
T–A. Emigh 32 interception return (Novak kick), 8:10.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Philipsburg-Osceola, Chapman 35-181, Jones 5-5, McClenahan 2-0, Rafferty 4-(-6), TEAM 1-(-1). Tyrone, Whitby 10-75, A. Emigh 3-31, Woomer 4-12, TEAM 1-(-1).
PASSING–Philipsburg-Osceola, Rafferty 9-18-4-63. Tyrone, Woomer 3-9-0-34, Walk 4-5-0-59.
RECEIVING–Philipsburg-Osceola, Guenot 5-31, Chapman 2-16, Jones 2-16. Tyrone, M. Emigh 3-69, Parsons 1-17, Rawlings 1-4, Woomer 1-2, Robinson 1-1.
