The Tug Valley Panthers locked up the 7th seed (Class A) in West Virginia playoffs with a 46-6 drubbing of Van on Friday at Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck.
The Panthers (8-2) jumped on the scoreboard first when Adam Slone scored on a 6-yard run for a 6-0 lead.
Tug Valley added to its advantage in the second frame when Adam Slone scored again on a 1-yard run. Aiden Bosserman’s PAT kick was good to make the score 13-0. The Panthers found the end zone again when Bryson Elia found Brady Brewer for on a 6-yard touchdown reception and a 20-0 halftime lead.
The Panthers added to the score in the third period as Elia found Cameron Slone on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it a 26-0 game. Elia then found Buddy Marcum on a 4-yard touchdown pass and a 33-0 advantage. Elia then took off on a 40-yard run and raced into the end zone for a 40-0 advantage. Elia then connected with Cameron Slone for an 8-yard pass to make it a 46-0 score.
Van (2-8) tacked on a late score for the 46-6 final.
Elia, who is playing quarterback in place of the injured Preston May, completed 13-of-17 passes for 182 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also carried the ball 4 times for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. Jarron Holyfield also completed 3-of-3 passes for 31 yards.
Adam Slone had 5 carries for 17 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Ashton Davis caught 4 passes for 74 yards. Brewer had 3 catches for 60 yards and 1 touchdown. Cameron Slone had 5 receptions for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gavin Fitzpatrick caught 1 pass for 19 yards. Bosserman caught 1 pass for 9 yards. Marcum pulled in 1 pass for 4 yards and 1 touchdown. Michael Curtis had 1 catch for 3 yards.
Defensively, Cane Thompson had 13 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 1 interception. Marcum had 11 tackles, including 3 for a loss. Dakoda Walker also had an interception.
Tug Valley will now host 10th ranked Tyler Consolidated in the opening round of the playoffs next weekend. The game time is yet to be determined as Tyler Consolidated, as the visiting team, can decide to have the game played on Friday night, Saturday afternoon or Saturday night.
Photos Courtesy of Karen Watts
