The Tyrone Golden Eagles suffered its second crushing defeat in as many weeks on Friday against the Central Dragons. The Eagles held a 7-6 lead for much of the game but lost 12-7 on a controversial call with only three seconds left on the clock.

The Golden Eagles were also hit hard with injuries, including junior standout Tommy Hicks, who was lost to a season ending leg injury in the first half.

Senior Levi Blazer was also injured on the opening kickoff and was out the remainder of the game. Starting wide receiver and corner back Damon Gripp was hurt on the opening play and was held out for the game.

Central scored early on a 1 yard run by Kitt giving Central a 6-0 lead after a failed two point conversion. Tyrone took the lead with 1:28 left in the opening quarter when Brandon Lucas powered through for a one yard run giving Tyrone a 7-6 lead.

Both defenses played lights out in the second quarter with neither team able to gain offensive momentum.

Junior Matthew Clifton came up with big sack after big sack for the Golden Eagle defense. 

“We lost four starters off the bat and instead of giving and just handing Central the game we fought the entire way and worked together to give us a fighting chance till the very end,” said Matthew Clifton.

Central looked to have the beginnings of a drive when the Golden Eagle defense popped the ball loose and senior Brandon Homan was right there to get the ball back. 

At the end of the first half Central was driving deep in Tyrone territory when Tyrone popped the ball free for a second time and just like the last time Brandon Homan was right there for his second fumble recovery of the quarter. The first half came to a close with Tyrone leading 7-6.

The third quarter was a cycle of three and out punt three and out punt with both teams defense shutting down the others offense.

In the fourth quarter neither team could get anything moving until the final minute of the game Central’s offense marched all the way down the field looking to punch through the Tyrone defense for the game winner. 

With Central out of timeouts and less than 15 seconds left they ran the ball up the middle which was called a touchdown but after a conference by the officials the call was reversed keeping the score 7-6 with 7 seconds left. 

If not for the wrong touchdown call the clock would have run out and Tyrone would have won, but with the wrong call Central was able to run another play. That proved to be a crucial moment because on that extra play that shouldn’t have happened Central powered through for the game winning touchdown.

“We just want to take it one week at a time and go out there and play good football,” said senior Kaleb Snook. 

With the loss Tyrone falls to 0-2 on the year. They look to pick up win number one on the season when they travel to Bishop Carroll this Friday. 

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central 6 0 0 6 — 12

Tyrone 7 0 0 0 — 7

First Quarter

C–Kitt 1 run (pass failed), 9:52.

T–Lucas 1 run (Raabe kick), 1:28.

Fourth Quarter

C–Kitt 1 run (run failed), 0:02.

TEAM STATISTICS C T

First downs 12 10

Total yards 208 139

Rushes-yards 30-78 39-98

Yards passing 130 41

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 13-18-0 4-10-0

Punts-avg. 4-36.2 5-32.3

Fumbles-lost 2-2 0-0

Penalties-yards 4-40 4-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Central, Kitt 23-66, Smith 3-5, Hoenstine 3-5, Imler 1-2. Tyrone, Lucas 15-44, Zimmerman 10-28, Beck 10-25, Hicks 3-5, Homan 1-(-4) .

PASSING–Central, Kitt 13-17-0-130, Hoenstine 0-1-0-0. Tyrone, Lucas 4-10-0-41.

RECEIVING–Central, Hoenstine 8-88, Gregg 2-20, McConahy 1-15, Biesinger 2-7. Tyrone, Beck 2-20, Homan 1-12, Rhoades 1-9.

With the loss Tyrone falls to 0-2 on the year. They look to pick up win number one on the season when they travel to Bishop Carroll this Friday. 

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central 6 0 0 6 — 12

Tyrone 7 0 0 0 — 7

First Quarter

C–Kitt 1 run (pass failed), 9:52.

T–Lucas 1 run (Raabe kick), 1:28.

Fourth Quarter

C–Kitt 1 run (run failed), 0:02.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs:

Central 12

Tyrone 10

Total yards

Central 208

Tyrone 139

Rushes-yards

Central 30-78

Tyrone 39-98

Yards passing

Central 130

Tyrone 41

Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 13-18-0 4-10-0

Punts-avg.

Central 4-36.2

Tyrone 5-32.3

Fumbles-lost

Central 2-2

Tyrone 0-0

Penalties-yards

Central 4-40

Tyrone 4-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Central, Kitt 23-66, Smith 3-5, Hoenstine 3-5, Imler 1-2. Tyrone, Lucas 15-44, Zimmerman 10-28, Beck 10-25, Hicks 3-5, Homan 1-(-4) .

PASSING–Central, Kitt 13-17-0-130, Hoenstine 0-1-0-0. Tyrone, Lucas 4-10-0-41.

RECEIVING–Central, Hoenstine 8-88, Gregg 2-20, McConahy 1-15, Biesinger 2-7. Tyrone, Beck 2-20, Homan 1-12, Rhoades 1-9.