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Central head football coach Jerry Albright said that the Tyrone game represents the most intense rivalry matchup on the Scarlet Dragons' annual schedule.
"Even though Tyrone probably regards Bellwood-Antis as its top rival, we actually look at the Tyrone game as our top rivalry game,'' said Albright, who is in his third season as the Central head coach after a 28-year tenure serving as either a varsity assistant coach, or as a coach at the junior high level. "Through the years, it's been one of the most highly-contested games that we've had.''
It promises to be again this Friday night when the two teams -- who have both started this season with 2-0 overall and Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference records -- collide in an early-season showdown at Tyrone's Gray Veterans Memorial Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Both teams boast an outstanding quarterback and a variety of other potent offensive weapons that should make for a very evenly-matched contest Friday.
The Scarlet Dragons have put up a total of 87 points in their first two games -- starting the season with a 43-20 home-field victory over Philipsburg-Osceola before going on the road to rout Johnstown, 44-0 last week.
Albright said that while the Central offense has performed well, the team's defense and special teams units have provided the offense with optimal field position in the first two games.
"We can definitely put up some points, but our defense has really helped us out and given the offense some short fields to work with, and our special teams have played well, too,'' Albright said.
Junior quarterback Jesse Muthler has completed 21 of 40 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns in Central's first two games.
"He's a second-year starter who played only six or seven games last year because of injuries, but that experience allowed him to be doing what he has been doing this year,'' Albright said. "He has an incredible arm, and he has put in a great offseason of work running, lifting and conditioning. I don't know that he missed even one of our weight room sessions this past summer. He is working very hard because he really wants to see our program succeed.''
Senior Carter Schenk is a jack of all trades for the Central offense. Schenk lines up at tight end, but often moves to the quarterback position in short-yardage situations. He showcased his versatility in last week's Johnstown game by running for one touchdown, catching a Muthler pass for another score, and throwing an option pass himself for a third touchdown.
"He had a great game last week, and that's what he has been doing for two years for us,'' Albright said of Schenk. "He does it all offensively.''
Senior running back Semaj Musei leads Central's rushing attack with 182 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns in two games, while junior wideout Bentley Dickson has made a team-leading seven receptions for 159 yards and a score.
Albright said that Musei navigated some growing pains last year, but has developed into an outstanding open-field running threat this season.
"Last year was a learning season for Semaj, but he's really had two fantastic games for us this year,'' Albright said. "He's made some great cuts and great runs, and he has probably helped us just as much with his blocking and pass protection.''
First-year Tyrone coach Jason Jones said that Central features a diversified offensive attack.
"I think that they have good athletes, and I think that they're able to do a bunch of different things offensively,'' Jones said. "We know that they like to have some different looks. They can spread you out, and they can also run the ball.
"When you watch them on film, it's very easy to see that they have some playmakers who they like to get the ball to in space,'' Jones added. "They are not vanilla in what they do, and we know that with Central and their creativity, there can always be something (different offensively) that they have up their sleeve, so we have to prepare for that as well.''
Tyrone also has several excellent offensive weapons. Senior quarterback Ben Walk, a 6-foot-4, 195-pounder, brings a physical presence and excellent athletic ability to the Golden Eagles' huddle.
Walk has completed 12 of 29 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns this season.
"I'm very impressed by Walk at quarterback,'' Albright said. "He's a big kid who can throw the ball deep, and he stands up well under pressure. He can take a hit but he'll deliver the ball where it needs to go to his receivers.''
Walk's go-to receiver is senior wideout Mason Emigh, who has six catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. An excellent all-around athlete, Emigh also returned an intercepted pass for a touchdown from his cornerback position in last week's Johnstown game.
Senior back Caleb Whitby fronts the Tyrone rushing attack with 125 yards on 27 carries in two games.
"When Walk gets in trouble, he knows he can throw the ball to the wide receiver Emigh, who makes plays for them,'' Albright said. "Whitby does an excellent job at running back. He seems to be able to find the holes, he's pretty strong, and he has lots of speed - he can go the distance if he gets into the open field.''
Walk said that the Golden Eagles' offensive line of senior tackle Kyler Suhoney, senior guard Landon Finnochio, and three juniors - center Gage LaRosa, tackle Mason VanAllman, and guard Zach Silva - has turned in an excellent performance this season.
"We've been able to run the ball well, and that's all because of our linemen up front,'' Walk said. "They've done really well and when you can run the ball well, it also opens up your passing game.''
Jones said that while he has been very pleased with his team's defense - which has allowed just seven points in both of the Golden Eagles' victories, at home against Bellefonte and last week at Westmont Hilltop - Tyrone's offense is still a work in progress.
"I think we've done an excellent job defensively and our special teams have been real good, but right now, our offense is not where we want it to be,'' Jones said. "We were better against Westmont than we were against Bellefonte, but I still think that we shoot ourselves in the foot a little bit too much.
"I'm pleased with the progression from Week 1 to Week 2, but we've got to have a much bigger progression this week because we know how good that Central is.''
Walk expects a hard-fought game on Friday.
"It's always been a rivalry,'' Walk said. "I think it'll be a close game. We've had a really good start, and I think we'll keep getting better.''
Central at Tyrone
When: Friday night, 7 p.m.
Where: Tyrone's Gray Veterans Memorial Field.
Records: Both teams are 2-0 overall and in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference.
Coaches: Jerry Albright is 11-12 in his third season at Central. Jason Jones is 2-0 in his first season at Tyrone.
Last week: Both teams won road games, with Central defeating Johnstown, 44-0 and Tyrone winning, 34-7 over Westmont Hilltop.
Last season: Tyrone won, 28-6 at the Roaring Spring Athletic Field.
All-time series: Tyrone leads the overall series, which began in 1970, by a slim margin of 25-24. There have been two ties. Last season's Tyrone victory ended a Central winning streak in the series at five games.
Notable: Both teams were long-standing members of the now defunct Mountain League before joining the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference - with Central joining the LHAC in 2021 and Tyrone joining in 2023.