Tyrone got back into the playoff mix on Friday, defeating top-rated Huntingdon 41-21 at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field. The Golden Eagles scored on their first five possessions and generated their best offensive output of the season.
With the win, Tyrone jumped up two spots in the District 6 3A standings to No. 4. If the playoffs began today, the Eagles would travel to Sidman to face No. 1 Forest Hills.
Here are four takeaways from last week’s game.
First down: Revived running game
It had been weeks since Tyrone ran the ball as effectively as it did Friday against the Bearcats. In fact, the last time the Eagles moved the ball on the ground at the pace they did against Huntingdon was the first half against Central in Week 3. It had been since Week 2 against Westmont Hilltop since Tyrone had 100 yards in a single game.
That changed in a big way against the Bearcats as Tyrone piled up 257 rushing yards behind 200 yards from Caleb Whitby. Whitby had 8 carries that went for 11 yards or more and three longer than 20.
Just as important as the big plays Tyrone broke on the ground were the grind-it-out plays featuring Ashton Emigh, who had 42 yards on 9 carries. The Eagles turned to Emigh on a touchdown drive in the first half when he toted the ball 4 times for 17 yards, and then during a time consuming drive in the second half that allowed Tyrone to drain 7 minutes off the clock.
Tyrone’s ability to run the football opened up both the deep and intermediate passing game, giving the Eagles a full compliment of plays to work with for the first time in weeks and allowing Eli Woomer to throw for 200 yards.
Tyrone’s line had been much maligned heading into the game, but they had also faced two very good defensive fronts in the two games prior against Bellwood-Antis and Bishop Guilfoyle. Against the ‘Cats, the group dominated the line of scrimmage, allowing the team to run for 5.8 yards per carry.
Tyrone has shown it can pass the football with Woomer, though that area of the offense waned the longer the running game stalled. If the Eagles can build on the success they had running the football last week, their game against Huntingdon would prove to be a major turning point as the playoffs approach.
SECOND DOWN: Getting off the field
One key element in Tyrone’s win was the defense’s ability to get off the field on third downs.
The Eagles forced punts after three plays on the Bearcats’ first two possessions and held Huntingdon to 2-for-6 on third down plays.
Two other drives in the second half ended after just one play after Mason Emigh and then Owen Oakes came up with interceptions.
The Eagles defense had been worn down in their two previous games as both B-A and BG were able to grind out long drives with their powerful running games, but the ‘Cats never really got into a rhythm with their ground attack. While all of their scores came on running plays, those drives were all boosted by backs breaking long runs to set up the touchdowns.
Tyrone’s defense held the ‘Cats to an average of 6 plays per possession, an efficiency that helped get the defense off the field and in turn allowed two-way linemen to conserve their energy for the other side of the football, which may have contributed to their effectiveness running the ball.
THIRD DOWN: Emigh’s impact
Mason Emigh was an impact player during the Golden Eagles’ early run that had them 3-1 after four games. He was a deep threat and a frequent target, and until Week 5 he was leading the team in receiving yards and takeaways.
But after going without a reception in Tyrone’s 21-14 win over Bald Eagle Area in Week 4, Emigh was held to 4 receptions for 48 yards over the next two games. Defensively, against a pair of teams that threw the ball selectively, at best, he recorded 7 tackles, but his one splash play on defense, an interceptions against the Marauders, was called back on pass interference.
Emigh played an inspired game against the Bearcats on both sides of the football, and his impact was unmistakable. On offense, he had 3 catches for 68 yards, averaging more than 22 yards per reception, and on defense he shut down the ‘Cats late with an interception in the fourth quarter.
Emigh’s 21-yard reception in the second quarter was part of an 80-yard scoring drive that allowed the Eagles to extend a lead that had been cut in half to 21-7. In the third quarter, a 36-yard grab was part of another 8-yard drive that made it 35-7.
Woomer spread the ball around well against Huntingdon, distributing his passes to six different receivers. There are plenty of capable skill players for him to work with.
Emigh, though, gives the Eagles the speedy deep threat every team needs to create space in the middle of the field. He can run by defenders and go up to get 50-50 balls, and keeping him involved in the offense has proven to be a benefit for the team.
It’s not always as easy as it was against the ‘Cats because the better he plays the more defenses roll coverage towards his side of the field, but as long as he remains in the mix the offense will continue to be open for everyone.
FOURTH DOWN: The home stretch
Tyrone’s loss to Bellefonte in Week 1 was a bad one no matter how you slice it, and it continues to haunt the Eagles seven weeks later.
While Tyrone climbed into a playoff spot for the first time this season with the win last week, their hold on the fourth position is a tentative one. They’re 30 points ahead of Philipsburg-Osceola with 480, and their remaining schedule is not an easy one.
It starts this week with No. 2 Penn Cambria, the defending 3A champions who are now 6-1.
The saving grace is P-O has an stretch just as challenging, taking on undefeated 2A leader Bishop McCort this week.
That game will be followed by the Eagles Homecoming game, which just so happens to be against the Mounties, meaning no matter what happens this week, both teams will have an opportunity to play their way into the postseason with their Week 9 faceoff.
The Raiders, meanwhile, have won just two games since defeating Tyrone. They helped the Golden Eagles last week when they defeated P-O 24-15, but with games remaining against Richland and Bellwood-Antis, they’re likely looking at a sub-.500 season.
ORANGE AND BLACK 