For the second year in a row, Tyrone’s season ended with a playoff loss to Penn Cambria. In a near repeat of last year, Tyrone jumped out to an early lead and was looking good at halftime, but collapsed in the second half.
Penn Cambria won the coin toss and elected to start with the ball, however, the Golden Eagle defense stood strong forcing an early punt.
The Tyrone offense came out the gates hot on their first drive, driving 87 yards in 11 plays capped off by an Ashton Walk 25-yard touchdown run. Tyrone took a 7-0 lead after a Dante Novak PAT.
The Penn Cambria offense responded with a long drive that included a 3rd and 4th down conversion. This Penn Cambria drive resulted in a Gavin Harold 1-yard touchdown. After a 2-point conversion run, Penn Cambria took an 8-7 lead.
The red-hot Tyrone offense continued their success as they drove down the field again. Ashton Walk found senior wide receiver Trent Adams for a 15-yard touchdown. Tyrone once again regained the lead 14-8.
The Tyrone defense showed the ability to bend but not break, as the defense stood strong inside the 10 when junior Eli Woomer and junior Ashton Emigh combined for a strip sack that gave Tyrone the ball back with 30 seconds until half. After a kneel-down, Tyrone took the 14-8 lead into the half. This was the first time all season that Penn Cambria trailed at the half.
“We knew we’d have to play a near perfect second-half to maintain our lead,” said senior Seth Hoover.
Tyrone, who received the ball out of the half, ended their drive after picking up a few first downs to midfield, which gave Penn Cambria a chance to take the lead on the Golden Eagles. Penn Cambria took advantage of the stop and drove 70 yards in 9 plays taking a 16-14 lead.
The Penn Cambria defense then forced the Golden Eagles offense to go three and out. After a shanked punt, Penn Cambria was set up with a good field position. The Golden Eagle defense stood strong forcing a punt. However, the Golden Eagle offense couldn’t take advantage as Penn Cambria’s Corbin Vinglish punched out the ball on a catch and run, returned for a touchdown by the Panther’s star player Gavin Harrold.
This was the turning point in the game as the Panthers took a 2-score 24-14 lead going into the 4th quarter. The Penn Cambria rushing attack and defense took over the 4th quarter and carried the Panthers to their first-ever district title win 39-14.
Tyrone finished their season 7-5, and Penn Cambria (12-0) plays Somerset in the first round of the state playoffs.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Tyrone 0 8 16 15 — 39
Penn Cambria 7 7 0 0 — 14
First Quarter
T–A. Walk 25 run (Novak kick), 3:31.
Second Quarter
PC–Harrold 1 run (Jones run), 7:14.
T–Adams 15 pass from A. Walk (Novak kick), 4:37.
Third Quarter
PC–Harrold 36 pass from Jones (Harrold run), 6:34.
PC–Harrold 34 fumble return (Jones run), 0:49.
Fourth Quarter
PC–Harrold 6 run (Plunkett run), 5:53.
PC–Plunkett 35 run (Jones kick), 1:06.
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs
T: 16
PC: 19
Total yards
T: 290
PC: 329
Rushes-yards
T: 19-68
PC: 39-184
Yards passing
T: 222
PC: 145
Passing (comp.-att.-int.)
T: 17-29-2
PC: 8-9-0
Punts/avg.
T: 3-64
PC: 2-30.5
Fumbles-lost
T: 2-1
PC: 1-1
Penalties-yards
T: 5-50
PC: 2-10
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Tyrone, Hoover 13-28, A. Walk 5-27, Whitby 1-13.
Penn Cambria, Plunkett 14-83, Mento 8-55, Harrold 13-42, Jones 7-4.
PASSING
Tyrone, A. Walk 17-29-2-222
Penn Cambria, Jones 7-8-0-141, Harrold 1-1-0-4.
RECEIVING
Tyrone, Adams 5-51, Woomer 4-44, Hoover 4-47, A. Emigh 3-43, Miller 1-37.
Penn Cambria, Harrold 6-119, Vinglish 1-22, Jones 1-4.
