Eagles and Rangers renew old rivalry

In the mid-1990s there were a couple of certainties when it came to high school football in Central Pennsylvania. In 3A, Lock Haven was the clear alpha, winning five District 6 titles in six years from 1991 through 1996. And in 2A there was Forest Hills, who under Don Bailey won four consecutive championships starting in 1991 and played in the PIAA finals in 1994.

Then in 1995 an up-and-comer from Tyrone came along and threatened to shift the football landscape. The Golden Eagles ended Forest Hills’ District 6 reign that season, but it didn’t happen with a win over the Rangers. Instead, Tyrone defeated Bishop McCort, who had upset Forest Hills a week earlier.

So when 1996 rolled around, the question was still lingering: which program is the best – the bruising powerhouse from over the mountain or the new kids on the block from the valley? The answer came late in the season in the 2A championship when Tyrone and Forest Hills finally met at Mansion Park, and it was time for the Rangers to either pass the torch or send the Eagles to the back of the line.

Tyrone rallied from a 14-6 deficit to pull away with a 32-14 victory that propelled it to a spot in the state championship game, but that wasn’t the end for the two storied programs. They would meet 9 more times afterwards, all in the postseason, including four more matchups in the District 6 finals.

The memories still resonate deeply with Tyrone coach John Franco, who was nostalgic this week when preparing for the Eagles’ Laurel Highlands Conference crossover game against the Rangers Friday at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field.

“When the stands are filled and the crowds are raucous, there’s nothing better,” said Franco.