Sportsbeat Preview: Tyrone Golden Eagles

TYRONE, Pa. (WTAJ) –You can always expect a well coached and disciplined Tyrone team under head coach John Franco, but the Golden Eagles will be younger than they’ve been in years past with only a handful of starters returning on each side of the ball.

One of the key starters that is returning is three year starter Ashton Walk at quarterback. Last year Walk completed 54 percent of his passes for 2,159 yards while throwing 20 touchdown passes. He’ll be working with a new group of skill position players. Gone is thousand yard rusher Brady Ronan who had 18 touchdowns and leading receiver Andrew Weaver who had 895 yards. Coach Franco says despite some younger faces needing to step up, it’s always easier building a roster around a returning quarterback rather than building around other returning position players.

“He is a good copy of what today’s quarterback is. He can run the football. I mean, he’s a passer first and foremost. But he also does a good job of running the ball,” said Franco. “So, you know, it used to be, you know, your classic drop back quarterback or your quarterback that ran the wishbone and ran all the time. But lately, over the last ten years, I think you’re seeing a development of a quarterback that offers both forms of attack and I think Ashton plays right into that hand.”

Key Losses: Brady Ronan (RB/CB) Andrew Weaver (TE/OLB) Braden Ewing (G/DT)

Key Returners: Ashton Walk (QB) Eli Woomer (WR) Dravyn Crowell (FS/WR)

With Walk under center Tyrone averaged 28 points per game last season. One game to watch out for will be week six against Bishop Guilfoyle. The Golden Eagles narrowly beat the Marauders 28-27 last season.

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