While the series between Tyrone and Bellwood-Antis had bizarre beginning unmatched by any of the other regional rivalries, the long-time foes were never truly rivals until they had been playing for almost 10 years.
In 1897, in a game between amateur teams from Tyrone and Bellwood played in Bellwood, Tyrone resident Benjamin Rich was killed after being trampled in a scrum, and the sport of football was banned for Tyrone High School students for the next 24 years.
Tyrone was finally allowed to form a high school squad in 1921, but the teams would not meet again on the gridiron until 1934, a game the Orange and Black won 12-0. The Eagles would take two more from Bellwood before the school consolidated with Antis Township High in 1939.
Continue reading about the Backyard Brawl rivalry on tyronefootballstories.com.