“We quit playing,” commented Tyrone’s junior varsity head coach Chuck Banas after his team’s lackluster second half performance in their 22-15 loss to Bald Eagle Area. “It’s that simple.”
Although they didn’t show up for much of the second half, the Golden Eagles definitely came to play in the first. Tyrone’s running game was dominant in the first half, with Brinton Mingle rushing for 84 yards on nine carries and tailback Shane Christine carrying the ball 11 times for 95 yards and two scores.
After his touchdown on Tyrone’s opening drive, Christine caught a pass for a two-point conversion on a botched snap on the attempted kick. Quarterback Bill Schreckengost, who is also the holder on place kicks, was unable to gather the snap, but rolled to his right and lofted a pass to Christine who made a nice over the shoulder catch in the end zone.
From there, both teams alternated unsuccessful possessions until the second quarter. Starting from his own 24 yard line, Schreckengost completed a pass to Jeremy Myers for four yards, followed up by an 18 yard sweep to Mingle around the left side of the line. On the ensuing play, Christine took a dive 49 yards through the middle of the Bald Eagle defense down to the seven yard line. From there he scored Tyrone’s final touchdown, and after Matt Wheland’s extra point put Tyrone up 15-0 things looked good for the Golden Eagles.
Bald Eagle, however, answered quickly with a 69 yard drive and a two-point conversion, narrowing Tyrone’s lead to 15-8. Running backs Jonathan Rishell and Michael Surovec were responsible for all 69 yards, with Surovec’s 20 yard fullback dive and a 27 yard Rishell touchdown run being the big plays of the drive. Rishell finished the night with 176 yards on 24 carries and Surovec supplied 69 on 10 carries.
Bald Eagle’s running backs came out of the locker room ready to duplicate their second quarter drive, covering 65 yards on their way to a touchdown. However, Bald Eagle was unable to convert on a two-point conversion, which kept Tyrone ahead 15-14.
The Golden Eagles punted on their next possession, and upon getting the ball again Bald Eagle’s offense went to work immediately. This time they went to the air, completing two passes for 25 yards. Just when things were looking grim for Tyrone’s defense, Shane Christine made a diving interception of a Camdin Crouse slant pass, and Tyrone took over on their own 36.
Tyrone, however, was forced to punt again after their now stagnant offense was unable to move the ball. Bald Eagle went right back to their running game, pushing the Golden Eagles to their own 30 yard line. Tyrone’s defense came up with some more tough play, stuffing two consecutive Bald Eagle runs to force a fourth down and inches. Unfortunately for Tyrone, the next play proved to be the play of the game, as Rishell busted through the defensively loaded line of scrimmage and raced 30 yards to Bald Eagle’s winning touchdown.
In classic Tyrone fashion, however, the Golden Eagles refused to go away.They took the ball fifty yards in the final minute and a half, but were unable to find the end zone for the tying touchdown.
Mingle ended the night with 108 yards on 13 carries while Christine, his counterpart in the backfield, tallied up 109 yards on 15 touches. Tyrone heads to Philipsburg next Monday for their third game of junior varsity action, but will no doubt be looking to help their varsity teammates prepare for Lewistown this Friday.
“It’s real important that they give the varsity a good look,” said Banas when asked about his jayvee squad’s role on Friday nights. “The varsity games are the crucial games. This (junior varsity) gives the kids a chance to showcase their abilities and prepare for the future.”
