In one of the most anticipated games of the 2018 season, Tyrone’s defense came up big in a 33-13 victory over the Dragons of Central. Tyrone forced six turnovers in the game, including four interceptions by Tyrone sophomore Damon Gripp. On offense, Tyrone senior Zac Albright put up video game like numbers, running through the Central defense with 200 yards on 26 carries and one touchdown.

“This was one of the biggest games of our season, especially considering the five year losing streak against them. Defeating them in my senior year feels great,” said senior Carter Maceno.

Tyrone got started early when Gripp picked off Central’s Noah Muthler for the first of his four interceptions, giving Tyrone the ball at the 50 yard line with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. Three plays later Tyrone capitalized on the turnover when Denver Light hit Tommy Hicks on a slant pass, and Hicks ran 53 yards, giving Tyrone a 7-0 lead with 3:31 left in the first quarter.

Tyrone senior linebacker Cory Lehman forced another fumble that was recover by junior Noah Zimmerman later in the quarter. Zimmerman stepped up big in relief of injured senior Logan Reader.  A few plays later Zac Albright found a hole and ran 54 yards for another Tyrone touchdown giving Tyrone a 14-0 lead with 2:42 left in the first half.

On the following Central drive Gripp picked off Central for the second time in the first half, but Tyrone gave up the ball on their next drive allowing Central to cut into Tyrone’s lead before the half.

The first half came to a close with Tyrone leading 14-7.

Just as the second half was about to begin lighting lit up the sky, sparking an hour and a half rain delay.

The teams didn’t take the field again until 10pm.  With much of the hometown crowd gone, Tyrone came out with a spark and took over the contest early in the third. Tyrone’s long opening drive  resulted in a 4 yard run by Denver Light giving Tyrone a 20-7 lead after a missed extra point.

On Central’s following possession Gripp picked off Central for the third time giving Tyrone the ball back with 7:10 left in the quarter.  Tyrone once again capitalized off a Central turnover as  Light hit junior Brandon Homan in the back of the end zone for a 26 yard touchdown, stretching their lead to 26-7 after a failed two point conversion.

Central tried to mount a comeback, scoring early in the fourth quarter cutting Tyrone’s lead to 26-13 after Tyrone held them on a two point conversion attempt.

But the Tyrone’s defense iced the game with only 1:25 to play when  Gripp picked off Central’s quarterback for a fourth time.  This time Gripp went all the way for a touchdown, giving Tyrone a 33-13 lead.

With the win Tyrone moves to 2-0 on the season, they look to stay undefeated this Friday as they take on Mountain League opponent on Bishop Carroll at home.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Tyrone 7 7 12 7 — 33

Central 0 7 0 6 — 13

First Quarter

T–Hicks 35 pass from Light (Raabe kick), 3:31.

Second Quarter

T–Z. Albright 54 run (Raabe kick), 2:42.

C–T. Albright 8 pass from Muthler (Keith kick), 0:33.

Third Quarter

T–Light 4 run (kick failed), 8:05.

T–Homan 26 pass from Light (pass failed), 4:50.

Fourth Quarter

C–Muthler 2 run (kick failed), 10:46.

T–Gripp 45 interception return (Raabe kick), 1:25.

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs

Tyrone: 12, Central 14

Total yards

Tyrone 323, Central 248

Rushes-yards

Tyrone 41-240, Central 27-68

Yards passing

Tyrone 83, Central 180

Passing (comp.-att.-int.)

Tyrone 4-13-1, Central 18-42-4

Punts-avg.

Tyrone 5-28, Central 2-29.5

Fumbles-lost

Tyrone 4-1, Central  2-2

Penalties-yards

Tyrone 10-73, Tyrone  4-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

Tyrone, Z. Albright 26-200, Light 7-47, Zimmerman 2-8, Lucas 2-1, TEAM 4-(-16).

Central, Muthler 12-30, Marko 3-15, Imler 5-11, Quarello 3-7, Walters 2-5, Parks 1-1, Kurtz 1-(-1).

PASSING

Tyrone: Light 4-11-1-83, Lucas 0-2-0-0.

Central: Muthler 18-42-4-180.

RECEIVING

Tyrone: Hicks 1-35, Homan 1-26, Lehman 1-15, Gripp 1-7.

Central: T. Albright 8-79, Parks 4-55, Kitt 2-26, Walters 1-12, Kurtz 1-5, Quarello 1-3, Marko 1-0.