Friday, November 9, 2007
No. 1 Tyrone (9-0) vs. No. 8 Westmont-Hilltop (5-5)
What’s at Stake: The winner advances to the District 5-6 AA semifinals against the winner of tomorrow’s quarterfinal between Penns Valley and Central Cambria.
Series: Tyrone leads 3-0. All three meetings have come in the District playoffs. Tyrone defeated Westmont in the semifinals in 1996 (21-6) and 2000 (14-0). The Eagles beat the Hilltoppers in the championship game in 1997 (42-18).
Coaches: TYRONE –John Franco(183-73-2 overall; 143-28 at Tyrone); WESTMONT-HILLTOP– Darren McLaurin (9-10).
Game Scores: TYRONE – defeated Bellwood-Antis 19-0, Huntingdon 18-0, Penns Valley 10-3 , Bald Eagle Area 28-6, Lewistown 35-0, Punxsutawney 28-7, Philipsburg-Osceola 14-13, Indian Valley 24-21 and Central 47-13; WESTMONT HILLTOP –defeated Cambria Heights 31-0, Bishop Guilfoyle 22-6, Johnstown 14-7, Penn Cambria 43-14, and Central Cambria 21-7; lost to Somerset 34-32, Bishop Carroll 7-6, Bishop McCort 45-7, Richland 34-0 and Wilmington 34-7.
Last Meeting: On Saturday, November 11, 2000, Tyrone senior Jerry Wilson picked off Westmont quarterback Dave Fetzer three times, one of which led to a Golden Eagle touchdown, as No. 3 seeded Tyrone defeated the Hilltoppers 14-0 in the District 6-AA semifinals at Westmont.
Wilson also set up a first-quarter touchdown with a 24-yard reception. The Golden Eagles recorded their sixth shutout of the season, while holding Westmont scoreless for the first time.
Quarterback Brandon Hoover completed 5 of 9 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another score. Jesse Jones rushed for 89 yards on 20 carries. Tyrone held Westmont 116 yards below its season average and limited running back Jim Kanuch to 73 yards on 10 carries.
PLAYERS TO WATCH – TYRONE: Shayne Tate, RB-DB, 170 carries for 1,363 yards, 12 touchdowns … Shane Emigh, WR-DB, 18 receptions for 275 yards, 14 carries for 135 yards, 8 touchdowns … Josh Bradley, OL-LB, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks … Brandon Gehret, WR-DB, 5 receptions for 65 yards, 5 takeaways, 4 interceptions, 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns … Johnny Shaffer, TE-DE-K, 24 XP, 4 FG, 42 points, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 11 receptions, 143 yards. WESTMONT-HILLTOP – Chaz Merriman, RB-LB, 111 carries for 618 yards, 5 TDs, 6 sacks … TJ Keklak, WR-DB, 80 carries for 320 yards, 10 receptions for 176 yards, 7 total TDs, 3 takeaways … Sam Hahn, QB-OLB, 32-68-504, 7 Int., 2 TDs, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 takeaways … Nick Khuri, WR-S, 22 receptions for 449 yards, 3 TDs.
TYRONE – is 15-2 at Gray-Veterans Memorial Field in the postseason … has posted a 15-3 record in the playoffs against teams from the Laurel Highlands Conference … has rushed for more than 200 yards five times … has not lost a first round playoff game since 2001 (Forest Hills, 30-29) … last lost at home in the playoffs in 2005 (Bishop McCort, 23-20 OT) … has scored 24 or more points in 5 of its last 6 games … has scored five defensive touchdowns … is 13-3 all time in the opening round of the District playoffs … is playing its 51st postseason game … is averaging 34 points per game in the first round under John Franco.
WESTMONT HILLTOP – is seeking its first District 5-6 football championship … has played seven teams in the PIAA District playoffs, posting a 3-4 record … is 0-2 outside the Laurel Highlands Conference … is averaging 262 yards per game in total offense … has recorded 25 total sacks (2.5 per game) … has four players who have rushed for more than 250 yards … is averaging 184 rushing yards per game … QB-OLB Sam Hahn has passed for 504 yards, rushed for 266 yards, recorded 4 takeaways and leads the team in tackles with 58 tackles … is averaging 26.2 points per game in 5 wins and 10.4 points per game in 5 losses.
