Last season, the Tug Valley Panthers finished the regular season with an 8-2 record. The Panthers then won an opening round playoff game before bowing out in the Class A quarterfinals. This season, the Panthers return a ton of talent and hope to have a big season.
“We started off last season really young,” said Tug Valley head coach Hady Ford. “As the year went on, we started gaining some confidence. Our freshmen started learning the speed of high school football. With the way we grew last year and having most of our kids back, I feel like the expectations are pretty high.”
KEY LOSSES: Buddy Marcum, Luke Bartram, Michael Curtis
KEY RETURNERS: Bryson Elia, Ashton Davis, Preston May, Cameron Slone, Adam Slone
OFFENSE
Preston May returns for his sophomore season to start at quarterback for the Panthers. May had 1,182 yards passing with 20 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. His season was cut short due to a broken collarbone, but he is expected to show big things for the Panthers.
Bryson Elia returns to lead the backfield after having 1,281 rushing and 450 receiving yards with 25 offensive touchdowns.
“Bryson is an athlete, and you can put him in a lot of different situations,” said Ford. “A lot of times, you’re just looking for a mismatch to put him one-on-one with a defender. He’s a tough one to tackle out in the open space.”
Adam Slone, Cane Thompson and Austin Smith will all provide solid options in the backfield for the Panthers.
May will have some weapons on the outside as Cameron Slone, Ashton Davis, Brady Brewer, Derek Jewell and Gavin Fitzpatrick will all have opportunities to make big plays in the passing game for Tug Valley.
At the offensive line, Gage Preece, Marshall Jarvins, Dakoda Walker and Jacob Jones all return to add some valuable starting experience. Max Hatfield, Dylan Meade and Cody Maynard will all battle for time in the trenches.
DEFENSE
In the defensive trenches, Walker and Jarvis should start. Hatfield, Meade and Maynard will also battle for playing time on the defensive front.
Davis and Smith will hold down the outside linebacker positions. Davis is one of the premier pass rushers in the state and should put up big numbers again. Thompson, Adam Slone and Brewer will patrol the middle linebacker spots.
Elia will lead the defensive secondary at safety. Cameron Slone and Gavin Fitzpatrick will see time at cornerback. Jewell will slide in and play corner at times as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Aiden Bosserman returns to handle the place kicking duties, which he excelled at last season. Elia, Cameron Slone, Adam Slone and Jewell should be returning kicks and punts for the Panthers.
SCHEDULE
08/29/24 – @Mingo Central
09/06/24 – @Sherman
09/13/24 – @Logan
09/27/24 – @Morgan County, KY
10/04/24 – @Tolsia
10/11/24 – River View
10/18/24 – Mount View
10/25/24 – Westside
11/01/24 – Man
11/08/ 24 – @Van
OUTLOOK
With Tug Valley’s first five games on the road, the Panthers will face a challenging start. However, Ford and his team should come into the season as a huge favorite to make the playoffs in Class A and potentially make a deep playoff run.
The Panthers look to be a premiere team in Class A, so expect another great season in Naugatuck.
