In a defensive slug fest that lived up to the hype, the Tug Valley Panthers defeated the home standing Mingo Central Miners, 14-6, on Thursday at Buck Harless Stadium on Miner Mountain. It was Tug Valley’s first ever win over the Mingo Central in three match ups.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard in the first quarter when Preston May threw a pass down the right sideline to Cameron Slone who jumped up and grabbed the ball between two defenders and then ran into the end zone to cap off a 13 play, 91 yard drive. Aiden Bosserman’s PAT kick gave Tug Valley a 7-0.
Tug Valley kept the Miners out of the end zone, and the Panther offense went back to work late in the second quarter and found the end zone again when May connected with Ashton Davis on a 25-yard scoring strike. Bosserman’s kick put Tug Valley head 14-0. The Panther defense would hold for the rest of the half as they took the lead into the locker room.
The third quarter was a defensive battle with neither team giving up a score a 4th and 1 stand and interception by Bryson Elia highlighted the quarter.
Mingo Central finally got on the scoreboard with 8:18 left in the fourth quarter as Aidan Burke threw a deep pass to Dylan Vance who caught it and ran into the end zone for a 55-yard scoring strike. The Miners went for a 2-point conversion, but the snap went over Burke’s head, forcing him to throw a difficult pass that fell incomplete. Still, Mingo Central cut the Panther lead to 14-6.
On the ensuing Panther drive, Mingo Central’s Bo Hatfield picked off a May pass and returned it all the way down to the 5 yard line, setting up the game’s defining moment. Tug Valley’s defense kept the Miners out of the end zone on the first three plays, setting up a 4th and goal from inside the 1 yard line. The Panther defense held.
Mingo Central had one more chance, but Tug Valley’s Gavin Fitzpatrick came up with an interception with 1:20 left to seal the win for the Panthers.
Preston May completed 15-of-24 passes for 189 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also had 8 carries for 44 yards. He was named the Tug Valley Wellness Clinic Player of the Game for his efforts.
Bryson Elia had 17 carries for 49 yards while also catching 3 passes for 40 yards. He also had an interception and critical pass break up on defense. Cameron Slone finished with 1 carry for 24 yards and 4 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Adam Slone had 1 carry for 7 yards while recording 11 tackles on defense. Brady Brewer added 1 carry for six yards and 1 reception for 15 yards.
Ashton Davis caught 5 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Cane Thompson caught 1 pass for 15 yards while laying the lumber on defense all night. Gavin Fitzpatrick caught 2 passes for 11 yards and had the game-sealing interception.
For Mingo Central, Aidan Burke completed 3-of-5 passes for 55 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had 5 carries for 49 yards, 4 receptions for 19 yards and 1 interception on defense.
Jaxon Nenni-Mills completed 2-of-5 passes for 10 yards and 1 interception. He also had 5 carries for 9 yards.
Caden Porter completed 3-of-6 passes for 23 yards.He also carried the ball 1 time for no gain.
Dylan Vance led the rushing and receiving attack with 60 yards on 8 carries while catching 3 passes for 64 yards and 1 touchdown. Donavon Valdelamar added 3 carries for 6 yards. Jace “Bam” Coleman finished with 3 carries for 5 yards. Jacob Maynard had 1 catch for 11 yards.
Tug Valley will travel to Seth next Friday to battle the formidable Sherman Tide. Mingo Central will travel to Clear Fork next Friday for a contest against a good Westside Renegade squad.
Photos Courtesy of Karen Watts
