In a game featuring several big plays the top-ranked (Class A) Tug Valley Panthers picked up a huge road win over rival the 14th-ranked Tolsia Rebels, 24-16, on Friday.
The Panthers (5-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening quarter when Aiden Bosserman booted a 26-yard field goal. Tug Valley then added to its lead when Bryson Elia returned a punt 60 yards for the score. Bosserman’s PAT kick made it a 10-0 game.
The Rebels (3-2) got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Robert Evans connected with Zach Ratliff on a 53-yard touchdown pass. Evans added the conversion run to make the score 10-8.
Tug Valley answered later in the period when Preston May found Cameron Slone in the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown reception. Bosserman’s kick made it a 17-8 lead. Neither team scored the remaining the second half.
The Panthers stretched out their advantage in the third period when May found Ashton Davis on a post pattern. Davis made the catch, broke a tackle and raced 61 yards for the touchdown. Bosserman’s kick increased the lead to 24-8.
Tolsia then countered by moving Evans to tailback and using the power running game to march down the field. On fourth and goal, Luke Williamson had defenders all over him but was able to get a short pass off to Bray Mollette who found the end zone from 2 yards out. Dakota Blackburn scored on the conversion run to cut the lead to 24-16.
The Rebels had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds, but Cameron Slone intercepted Evans’ desperation heave inside the 5-yard line to secure the win.
For the Panthers, May completed 14-of-28 passes for 238 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 8 times for 29 yards.
Elia finished with 11 carries for 45 yards and 3 catches for 8 yards.
Cameron Slone hauled in 7 passes for 127 yards and 1 touchdown. Davis had 3 receptions for 103 yards and 1 touchdown.
Defensively, Adam Slone led the way with 15 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and a sack. Cane Thompson had 12 tackles and 1 interception. Gavin Fitzpatrick and Cameron Slone each had an interception in the win.
For the Rebels, Evans completed 4-of-8 passes for 80 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. He also carried the ball 27 times for 122 yards. Williams had the other touchdown pass for Tolsia.
Mollette had 11 carries for 39 yards and 1 catch for 2 yards and 1 touchdown. Blackburn added 3 carries for 8 yards.
Ratliff had 1 catch for 53 yards and 1 touchdown. John Jarrell had 1 reception for 19 yards. Williamson caught 2 passes for 8 yards.
Tug Valley will play its home opener on Friday against projected 5th ranked River View. Tolsia will travel to Van to take on the Bulldogs.
Photos Courtesy of Karen Watts
