Tyrone-Central game provides first big measuring stick of the season
There comes a point in every football season when win-loss records begin to mean something.
A showdown of undefeated teams in Week 6, for example, has a completely different complexion than a game of unbeatens in Week 2.
So when 2-0 Tyrone and 2-0 Central clash Friday at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field in Tyrone, it’s an opportunity for each team to make a statement that their unblemished record is a product of more than a hot start or a favorable early-season schedule.
It will be, in many ways, a measuring stick, as well as a chance for the winner to begin positioning itself for a spot in the District 6 3A playoffs.
“It’s big stakes for both teams,” said Tyrone coach Jason Jones. “We know how good Central is. We know who their playmakers are. It’s one of those groups that really uses their skill players to compliment one another. So we know how difficult a task it will be to stop them. But I’ll take our guys against anybody. I know Coach (John) Shelton will have our defense well prepared, and offensively, it’s just building off what we did last week. But District-wise, conference-wise, it’s a huge game all around.”
It’s big stakes for both teams. We know how good Central is. It’s one of those groups that really uses their skill players to compliment one another. So we know how difficult a task it will be to stop them.
Tyrone Coach Jason Jones
What Tyrone did last week was generate an offensive explosion, based mostly around its ground attack, that allowed the Eagles to quadruple their output from a Week 1 victory over Bellefonte. Against the Hilltoppers, Tyrone ran for 257 yards, piled up 356 in total, and won 34-7 in a game more one-sided than the final score would indicate. The Golden Eagles defense continued to be a force, causing two interceptions and, outside of two plays that broke for 55 yards each, generally dominated the flow of the game.
But that was against a team that hasn’t won a game since 2023, so while any win is a good win in the gauntlet of a Laurel Highlands season, it’s hard to read much into the final score.
The Scarlet Dragons are in a similar position. The numbers they generated in wins over Philipsburg-Osceola and Greater Johnstown – games in which they scored more than 40 points – can’t be overlooked, but like Westmont, both of those teams have had their share of struggles.
Central will present the most well-balanced offense Tyrone has seen this season. The Dragons have run for more than 400 yards and passed for more than 350, and they get the ball to their playmakers in a variety of ways that make anticipating their next move a challenge.
But if Tyrone has been good at anything it’s been withstanding its opponents’ offensive onslaughts. Bellefonte, for example, ran for 179 yards in Week 1, but anytime the Raiders got themselves in a position to put points on the board, the Eagles were there with a takeaway or tackle for loss to eliminate the threat. The same happened last week against the Hilltoppers, when Kyler Suhoney came through with a sack on fourth down soon after Westmont’s best offensive play of the game, a 55-yard run by Matthew Radovanic.
Suhoney, with 5 TFL, has been the leader of a defense that has produced 14 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Linebacker Dylan Robinson and lineman John Eaken have also been instrumental as defensive disruptors.
Meanwhile, Tyrone’s secondary, led by Mason Emigh, Caleb Whitby, John Stroup, and Jesse Parks, has produced 4 interceptions, which creates what may be the most intriguing matchup in the game against Central.
The Dragons’ offense is led by Jesse Muthler, who has completed 21 of 31 passes for 330 yards, and he’s got a slew of receivers he can throw to, led by junior Bentley Dickson (7 catches for 159 yards) and senior Carter Schenk (4 catches for 71 yards).
It will be strength on strength, and if Tyrone can contain Central’s passing attack, it will make loading up on leading rusher Semaj Musei (25 carries for 202 yards) that much easier.
“Central’s defense creates a lot of turnovers, but we create turnovers, too,” said Jones. “I’ll go back to this. It’s our ability to play free and aggressive, not overloading them with a scheme but allowing them to play to their strengths. I don’t think a team can take us out of that. If they do, that’s a pretty good team because it’s hard to get us out of what we do well defensively.”
Central has caused five turnovers so far, three by way of interception, and the Dragons have been strong against the run at just over 100 yards allowed per game.
For Tyrone, the offense has been spotty. There were big plays against Bellefonte, and the running game began to get into gear against Westmont, but no one area has stood out through two games. Whitby had 98 yards in the first half against the Hilltoppers, and Ben Walk (12-for-29, 148 yards, 3 TDs, 3 Ints.) has made some big passes in critical moments.
However, much of the Eagles success when they have the ball has been centered on the play of Emigh, who has produced thee offensive touchdowns and scored as a passer and a runner.
Some of that is by design. Jones said he’s tried not to overload his offense with too many new concepts early in the season because every other phase of play is undergoing similar learning curves in his staff’s first season. Instead, they’ve kept things simple and relied on their playmakers.
However, the time is coming, Jones said, when some other players will need to step forward.
“When you start putting too much on high school kids, and they start thinking too much, it can bog you down,” said Jones. “We’re seeing how we can get our guys in space. We know what teams are going to do with Mason. We talk about it and prepare for it, but I think our strength is getting other guys involved, and Jon Stroup is a guy we want to get the ball to more.”
Another player Jones would like to get more touches is sophomore Reid Starr, who carried 9 times for 46 yards and a touchdown against the Hilltoppers. Outside of him, there are receivers like Carter Gwinn and Parks who he’s confident can make plays when a defense focuses its coverage on Emigh.
“Mason is such a unique talent, and f I was a defensive coordinator, I would do exactly what teams are going to do to him,” Jones said. “But we know if they’re going to double Mason, we’re confident Ben can deliver the ball to whatever guy they leave open.”
The game is one that will set the tone for the next several weeks for both teams as they begin play in the Laurel Highlands East Division 1. The Dragons will go from Tyrone to Bellwood-Antis and Bishop Guilfoyle. The Eagles, on the other hand, move on to East 2 Bald Eagle Area to Bellwood-Antis and Bishop Guilfoyle.
Earning playoff points in that milieu is no easy task, and Jones recognizes that.
“We’re excited about the matchup,” he said. “We know what a big rivalry game this is. The pressure is on us to win some games because we know there are two Cambria schools (Cambria Heights and Penn Cambria) who are going to win some games. You take it one game at a time, but it’s going to be interesting.”
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