Preston May threw five touchdown passes, and the Tug Valley Panthers showed why they are the top ranked team in Class A as they overwhelmed the Mount View Golden Knights, 48-0, on Friday night at Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck.
The Panthers (7-0) scored a touchdown every possession that they had during the game and got started early as May threw a screen pass to Gavin Fitzpatrick who took the ball a raced down the sideline for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Aiden Bosserman’s kick made the score 7-0. After forcing a Mount View (2-5) punt, Bryson Elia brought the crowd to their feet with an electrifying 80-yard run for a touchdown. Bosserman’s kick made the score 14-0.
Tug Valley kept up the attack in the second quarter when May hit Derek on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Bosserman’s kick was off the mark, and the Panthers led 20-0 with 7:32 left in the opening half. Mount View then failed to cover the ensuing kickoff, and Adam Slone recovered it for the Panthers. Two plays later Elia galloped into the end zone from 7 yards out. Rilee White kicked the extra point to make the score 27-0.
Later in the quarter, the Panthers got on the scoreboard again as May connected with Ashton Davis who broke a tackle and darted into the end zone from 30 yards out. Bosserman’s kick made the score 34-0 with 1:33 remaining in the half. Tug Valley was not quite done as Marshall Jarvis recovered a Mount View fumble. May then hit Jewell on a post pattern for a 21-yard touchdown with 0:35 left until the intermission. Bosserman’s kick made the score 41-0 at the half.
The two teams then decided to play only four minute quarters in the second half. The Panthers got their last score in the third quarter as May found Davis again, this time on a 34 yard touchdown. White kicked the PAT to make the score 48-0. That triggered a running clock, and time ran out as Mount View still had the ball.
May completed 17-of-21 passes for 253 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Elia had 8 carries for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Fitzpatrick led all receivers with 6 catches for 81 yards and 1 touchdown. Davis had 4 catches for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cameron Slone had 4 receptions for 60 yards. Jewell caught 3 passes for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defensively, Cane Thompson led the team with 6 tackles. Adam Slone had 5 tackles.
Tug Valley will have a huge showdown next weekend as the Westside Renegades (6-1) come to town in a battle of ranked teams in Classes A and AA.
Photo Courtesy of Karen Watts
