The Tyrone Golden Eagles (8-1) will enter tomorrow’s District 5-6 Class AA first round playoff game as the No. 2 seed and the top defensive team in their classification. The Eagles allow just over seven points and 154 yards per game, and when it comes to run defense, they’re absolutely stingy – 74 yards per game with only one rushing touchdown against the starters during the regular season.
In terms of defensive numbers, the only team that rivals Tyrone is their first round opponent, seventh seeded Purchase Line.
That’s why Franco says this is the toughest Double-A field he’s competed in since taking over at Tyrone. It’s bold statement considering the competition the Eagles have faced in Franco’s 10 playoff appearances, but when you look at the Red Dragons – a No. 7 seed – it holds true.
As a 6-3 seven-seed that needed a win in the final weekend of the season just to make the bracket, Purchase Line is the only other AA team to have held its opponents below 10 points per game. They allow just under 170 yards per game, and they win with defense.
“They’re a very defense-oriented team,” said Franco, who has never lost a first round playoff game at home. “People haven’t scored against them. They’re pretty basic on offense in that they try to run it at you; they try to win with their defense.”
And win with defense they have. The Red Dragons have three shutouts to their credit, and allowed just one score through the first four weeks of the season. They’ve allowed only two teams to score more than two touchdowns.
“Our defense is a big part of our team,” said Purchase Line coach Dave Small. “It’s been outstanding all year. We always go in hoping we can play well offensively, but we count on the defense to keep us close.”
Tyrone and Purchase Line will kick it off at Gray Veterans Memorial Field at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, No. 3 Philipsburg-Osceola (8-1) hosts Chestnut Ridge (7-2), No. 1 Bedford (9-0), hosts Central Cambria (5-4) and No. 4 Bishop McCort (7-2) hosts Forest Hills (7-2).
In almost every case, Purchase Line’s defense has been outstanding because it has had to be. The Red Dragons’ offense averages just over 16 points per games, and only twice this season have they won in blowout fashion. That’s put added pressure on Dragon defenders, and they’re responded.
But Tyrone has seen outstanding defenses already this season, and not one has been able to slow the Eagles’ multi-faceted offense. Against Bellwood-Antis, Huntingdon, Bellefonte and Philipsburg-Osceola – all teams that are playing in the postseason – Tyrone was never held below 300 yards in total offense and averaged 27 points per game.
One reason for the Eagles’ offensive success is that, while star running back Brice Mertiff (160 carries, 1,377 yards, 20 touchdowns) has been the focal point, many other players have shown the ability to contribute in big ways when called upon. Fullback Brit Mingle has 17 touchdowns and over 500 rushing yards. Quarterback Leonard Wilson has thrown for over 700 yards and six touchdowns. Ben Gummo leads receivers with 322 yards, but four receivers have caught seven or more passes.
That level of offensive parity has allowed Tyrone to average more than 33 points and 347 yards per game while barely breaking a sweat.
“I still think we can get better,” said Franco, who has authored the top three scoring and yardage offenses in Tyrone history. “We haven’t put it all together yet on offense, even though we’re scoring some points. I still feel it’s a work in progress.”
Purchase Line could challenge the Eagles in one area where they consistently dominated opponents during the regular season: in the trenches. Physically, the Dragons are one of the few teams able to push Tyrone in a pound-for-pound shoving match, with a pair of 300-pounders on their interior line in Joseph Perkovich and Robert Barger. Michael Yamrick, another defensive tackle, is 275.
That makes the major battle of the game Purchase Line’s physical linemen against Tyrone’s heralded offensive line of Terry Tate, Ralph VanAllman, Ron Miller, Jake Houck, Mike Jones and Tad Chamberlain– which has been praised by opposing coaches as big, quick and athletic.
“They’re one of the bigger teams we’ll see,” said Small. “Their guys move very well. Physically, we probably can’t go man-up against them, but we’ll try to find one place that’s maybe not as strong. We’ll try to be physical and play with heart.”
Winning with Defense
Franco has listed the Eagles’ defense among the team’s bright spots throughout the season. Even in the 7-6 loss in October to Philipsburg-Osceola – a game where the offense made it inside P-O’s 25 seven times and scored only once – the defense limited the Mounties to one score and 131 total yards.
Class A Juniata Valley is the only team in District 6 to have allowed fewer points than Tyrone this season (2.2), and only three of the touchdowns the Eagles have allowed have come against their first string defense. Instead, most have come in the second half of games that have long been decided.
So good has Tyrone’s defense been that it has surrendered just 20 points in the first half this season.
Playoff Passion
You would think that qualifying for the postseason would have become old hat by now to Franco, if not by his players.
But that’s not so. In fact, Franco said the Eagles practiced with a new enthusiasm this week.
“Anytime you’re in the playoffs, things get a little more intense,” Franco said. “It’s something special. Anytime you’re in the playoffs with an opportunity to win, you should enjoy it. You have a whole new attitude in the playoffs. There are no records now. Our No. 2 seed doesn’t give us any points come Friday night.”
