We don’t have to tell our readers about the production and efficiency of the local Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis football programs. Year after year the two schools in Northern Blair County, under the very capable direction of John Franco at Tyrone and John Hayes at Bellwood-Antis, turn out outstanding football teams. Many of the individuals in the local programs have also garnered their share of honors that correspond to the level at which they have played their high school football careers.
The Associated Press Small School (Class A and AA) was released on Tuesday and the local schools have once again been well represented on the All-State squad. Wide receiver Aaron Jeffries of Tyrone and defensive end Ryan McCartney of Bellwood-Antis have both been selected to the All-State Second Team.
“I am really happy for Aaron to be honored as an All-State pick. he has put in a lot of hard work over the last two years to get to the level where he plays,” said coach Franco. “Aaron is probably the most explosive player that I have coached. he is a threat to go deep and score any time he touches the football.”
Aaron Jeffries was an integral part of the Tyrone offense this past season. The senior speedster served as co-captain during the 2002 football season for the 7-4 Tyrone Golden Eagles drawing praise from coach Franco. “One of the best things about Aaron this year,” commented coach John Franco, “was that he became a team leader. He took on more responsibility and I thing that was one of the things that propelled Aaron into having a really great year.”
Jeffries proved his worth as a leader on the practice field and during Friday nights as well, breaking the school record for receiving yardage with 48 catches for 870 yards. Jeffires set the Eagles’ record in just 11 games. Eagle great Steve Johnson set the old mark of 805 yards in 15 games during the Eagles state championship season in 1999. Jeffries 48 catches were at least10 more than any other small school receiver in Central Pennsylvania.
A two-year starter at wide receiver, Jeffries led Tyrone with nine touchdown receptions, was the leader of the defensive secondary recording four interceptions this year and was also the Eagles leading punt returner averaging 9.0 yards per return.
His best performances came against Tyrone’s toughest opponents. Against state-ranked teams, Jeffries caught eight passes for 163 yards and a touchdown against Pius X, and five catches for 92 yards and a score against Forest Hills.
Jeffries was a First Team All Big 8 Wide Receiver and Defensive Back.
“It is really a great honor to be picked to the All-State Team,” said Jeffries. “I couldn’t have done it without coach Franco, the passing league work and the little tips he gave me. It helps to have a great quarterback in Tyler Mertiff, who was completely unselfish in getting the ball to me all the time. We have spent the last three years together, running routes until we knew what to do in every situation. I also want to thank the entire coaching staff for putting up with us and teaching us our jobs to make it possible for us to perform on the field every game. I would like to thank my parents, who have watched and supported me the whole time I have been playing football.”
Ryan McCartney has been a two-year, two-way starter for Bellwood-Antis, a program that has been 30-4 over the past three years in which Ryan has been a member of the Blue Devils. Few football programs in the state can match that record. McCartney has been a contributer and important cog in the Blue Devil machine that has been at or near the top in both offensive and defensive production among all area teams.
“Ryan McCartney is a great kid,” said B-A coach John Hayes. “He has been a very solid two-way player for us for the last two years. he is a leader more by example, who has been a hard worker on the field and during practice. Seniors often ignore the younger players, but Ryan has been a good helper to the young kids on our team. After three outstanding seasons, Ryan as well as all of our seniors will be greatly missed. Ryan is very much deserving of the accolade. Not everybody is going to make All-State. We are certainly glad that Ryan has been able to be selected to that level.”
This season Ryan collected 51 tackles, including team-best six running back sacks and five quarterback sacks, blocked a punt, had four pass knockdowns and a team-high 12 quarterback pressures.
On offense, although Bellwood-Antis seldom passes to their tight ends, McCartney led the team in 2002 with 12 catches for 189 yards and one touchdown. Ryan’s career total of 31 catches rank McCartney fifth all-time at Bellwood-Antis and his receiving yardage totall of 499 yards are the sixth-best figure.
“I think I did more offensively this year than last year,” McCartney stated. “On defense, I was able to come up with the sacks and blcok a punt or two. I’m glad I was able to come up big in the big games we played, like Tyrone, Bishop Guilfoyle, Windber. I would like to thank my parents and the defensive end coaches, Scott Boyer and Mike Estep and my brother Chris McCartney.”
