For the last seven seasons, Week 7 has been like a bye week for the Tyrone Golden Eagles – the kind of week when you can relax, get healthy and regroup for the stretch run.
That doesn’t mean the Eagles haven’t played in Week 7 in a while. They’ve lined up and gone hat-to-hat just like every other team in the Big 8, but for the last two decades, Week 7 has meant a game with Philipsburg-Osceola, and since 1996 a game against the Mounties has been an easy “W” augmented by cameo appearances through the first half by Tyrone’s starters.
In all likelihood, that will change come Friday when the teams play at Gray Veterans Memorial Field.
That’s because P-O, under second-year head coach Jeff Vroman, is no longer the doormat of the Big 8’s upper-tier squads. After a 4-2 start to 2003 that includes a 3-1 run through the first half of conference play, the Mounties have now become a team to be reckoned with.
So for the first time since 1995, when the Mounties and the Eagles clashed as conference unbeatens at Gray Memorial Field, the Week 7 game means something for both teams.
“The game in 1995 was one of the best regular season games we’ve played since I’ve been here,” said Tyrone coach John Franco. “It’s nice to see P-O good again because it makes the game exciting.”
Tyrone won the ’95 game 6-5 in one of the most hotly contested defensive battles in the Franco era. The Eagles went on to win the first of Franco’s five District 6-AA championships, while the Mounties fell into a pit of underachievement. Since that game, Tyrone is 7-0 against P-O, outscoring the Mounties by an average margin of 33 points per game.
Things could be different this season. P-O now boasts one of the most explosive running games in the area, led by Big 8 leading rusher Adam White. He’s rushed for 982 yards and nine touchdowns this season on 128 carries as part of a Mountie ground game that averages 277 yards per game.
“Adam has great speed,” said Vroman. “In fact, in 13 years of coaching, I’ve never seen a running back with that kind of speed. We go into each week with a game plan and we feel that if we can not turn the ball over and get field position, we can be a balanced offense.”
White has already rushed for over 200 yards twice and has rushed for 192 on another occasion. His breakaway speed has allowed him to collect six touchdowns of 50 yards or more, while returning a kickoff 85 yards for another.
He’s the kind of back defensive coordinators are forced to plan for, but Franco feels his defense, which is the strongest in the Big 8 against the run, allowing just 54 yards per game, is up to the challenge.
“He’s outstanding,” said Franco. “He’s the kind of player that can dominate a game by himself.
“But our defense has been very good. Last week against Bishop Guilfoyle (in a 17-14 win), we gave them the game on offense and our defense saved us. We relied on our defense and it limited BG to nine series of three plays or less.”
That’s part of what makes Friday’s game compelling. P-O’s running game – its unquestionable strong suit – will be challenged by the best run stoppers in the conference, while Tyrone’s offense, against an also-tough P-O running defense, may be forced to look to the air, the Eagles’ major weak spot.
“It’s a good matchup,” said Franco. “They’ve been solid against the run, but they’ve had some problems against the pass. But passing hasn’t been our strength. Their strength on defense is our strength on offense, so it’s going to come down to kids making plays.”
If anyone is ready to do just that, it’s Tyrone junior running back Brice Mertiff, who is on the cusp of becoming the Eagles’ first thousand-yard rusher since Jesse Jones in 2000. He’s already gained 808 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 123 carries, and last week he added a new weapon to his offensive arsenal: the forward pass.
With Tyrone trailing 14-10 with under 1:30 to play, he lofted a 21-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Leonard Wilson for what proved to be the game-winning score.
Last season against the Mounties, in a mud-bowl game in a torrential downpour at Memorial Field in Philipsburg, Mertiff ran for 177 yards and two scores in a 14-7 Tyrone win.
BOUNCING BACK
P-O is coming off a loss for only the second time this season, after being dominated by rival Clearfield last Friday 35-14. It was a game that saw the Mounties turn the ball over three times and surrender costly field position to the Bisons.
The last time P-O came off a loss – a 34-16 defeat at the hands of Huntingdon in Week 4 – they responded with a 21-15 win over Indian Valley.
“The kids are upset with the way they played last week,” said Vroman. “After the loss to Huntingdon, our kids were really upbeat and they were this week, too. Our last two practices were probably our best since school started. We shortened practice and went with an up-tempo pace, and that really seemed to spark the kids.”
STILL COMING
While Tyrone’s passing game is still a work in progress, Franco has been pleased with the steady improvement of all facets of the Eagles game when they have the ball.
And despite sophomore quarterback Leonard Wilson’s two interceptions against BG, Franco said that, “every day with Leonard Wilson taking the snaps in practice we’re better off.”
Wilson, who has started every game since Week 3, has completed 19 of 48 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s hit on a deep ball in each of the last three games and has shown exceptional patience and confidence when flushed from the pocket. He’s currently fourth on the team in rushing with 68 yards on 22 attempts.
It’s no coincidence that Wilson’s numbers have improved while senior receiver Tommy Crowl has become more involved in the offense. Crowl, a speedy playmaker, has hauled in eight passes for 111 yards and one score to lead the team.
SACKS IN THE BAG
After dropping Marauder quarterback Adam Trybus three times last week, the Tyrone defense had recorded 17 quarterback sacks through six games – an average of 2.8 per game.
Senior defensive end Max Soellner is the team leader with 10.5, while classmate Justin Clark has chipped in five.
Their ability to penetrate from the corners will challenge a green P-O line should the Eagles find a way to corral White.
“We’re very young up front,” said Vroman. “We have no seniors on the offensive line.”
A GAME THAT MEANS SOMETHING
Tyrone is currently second in the District 6-AA standings with 610 points, while the Mounties are fifth with 520.
A win over P-O would further solidify the Eagles’ position as one of the top two seeds in the upcoming District playoffs, with tough games against Indian Valley and Penns Valley on the horizon.
P-O, meanwhile, needs a win to keep pace, as the Mounties lead No. 6 Forest Hills by just 10 points. The Mounties are just 30 points behind No. 4 Chestnut Ridge and 60 behind No. 3 Central Cambria, two spots that ensure first round games at home.
“They are looking for a higher seed and we’re looking for a higher seed,” said Franco. “Something has to give.”
“When I first came to P-O, I couldn’t believe that the only meaningful game was the first,” said Vroman. “We knew we could have success, but we didn’t expect it to come this quickly. We don’t talk a whole lot about playoffs, but it’s nice to know that every week is a meaningful week.”
HOMECOMING
Tyrone will celebrate its 34th annual Homecoming in a ceremony prior to kickoff. Stephanie Catich will be crowned Homecoming queen.
Her court includes senior princess Kylie Wallace, junior princess Katie Whitby, sophomore princess Emily Lloyd and freshman princess Paige Stott.
