TIM WEIGHT/ For The Express Bald Eagle Area is hoping to move to .500 with a win against Tyrone this week.

Following Bald Eagle Area’s first win of the season last Friday, a 21-0 shutout of Penns Valley, the team was excited about the win, but there was a sense of reservedness there. Though getting in the win column was an accomplishment in itself, the Eagles are thinking bigger, and the immediate focus was to carry the momentum forward.

“It’s as simple as we’ve got to keep getting better,” said Bald Eagle Area head coach Jesse Nagle coming off the win. “We’ve got a great team coming up in Tyrone.”

“I think there’s only one way to go, and that’s up,” emphasized running back Nick McCully.

Unlike the Rams, who are still searching for their first win, Tyrone (2-1) has been largely dominant this season, posing a serious threat to Bald Eagle Area’s rising momentum. Of their 144 minutes of game time, the Golden Eagles haven’t only trailed for a single minute, at the tail end of Bellefonte’s heroic comeback in Week 1.

Much like the Eagles’ own run game, Tyrone has an efficient back at the center of it.

Junior Caleb Whitby has been a first-down machine, averaging over six yards per carry on 46 attempts and adding 69 yards through the air. Much of his production has come through the last two games, one which saw him turn 14 rushes into 188 yards against Westmont Hilltop.

Where it differs from Bald Eagle lies in its balance.

While spotty at times, senior quarterback Eli Woomer has been effective, surpassing 150 pass yards and a touchdown in all three games. His two most consistent weapons, receivers Mason Emigh and Brayden Parsons, have each surpassed 100 receiving yards on the season, with Emigh being a constant big-play threat averaging 34 yards on six catches.

It’s a tough offense to hinder, one that’s averaged over 32 points and 322 yards per game. But apart from a turnover-laden affair against Penn Cambria, defense has been where the Eagles have thrived. It’ll play a key role in Bald Eagle’s success on Friday, as the Eagles look to get ahead and control the clock like they did against Penns Valley.

Offensively, look for them to continue leaning on its line and running back Nick McCully, who surpassed 400 rushing yards last Friday, as well as Grady Fisher out of the Wildcat. Quarterback Kaleb Irion has also proven effective when needed and has improved his completion percentage since a spotty opener, with it sitting just above 60 percent.

Friday’s game is a big one for Bald Eagle Area (1-2), who looks to not only get back to .500 but also leapfrog its way into the top half of the Laurel Highlands standings. The question is, can they manage it against one of the league’s top teams?

We’ll find out on Friday.