The Tug Valley Panthers and Westside Renegades came into the game on Friday with a lot on the line. The Panthers were trying to hold onto the top spot in the Class A rankings. The Renegades were fighting to possibly host a playoff game in Class AA.
The game turned into a rout as the Panthers romped past the visiting Renegades, 62-12, at Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck in front of a raucous crowd.
Tug Valley (8-0) wasted little time scoring. The Panthers took advantage of a strong opening kick off return from Bryson Elia before marching down to the 4-yard-line where Elia ran around the right side into the end zone. Aiden Bosserman’s PAT kick gave Tug Valley a 7-0 lead. Westside (6-2) had a strong drive going late in the quarter, but Austin Smith stripped the ball from Renegade quarterback Kadien Vance and then recovered the fumble after a scramble to end the first quarter.
The Panthers took advantage and drove down the field. They finished off the drive on a 1-yard plunge from Elia. Bosserman’s kick made the score 14-0 in the second quarter. A short bit later, Elia came calling again, this time on a 36-yard run. Another Bosserman kick increased the lead to 21-0.
Westside finally got a little spark on the next drive. The Renegades marched down the field and scored when Vance pump faked and then found Austin Bishop in the end zone on a 20-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 21-6.
Tug Valley answered quickly when quarterback Preston May threw a pass to Cameron Slone who caught the ball in traffic and darted down the field for a 66-yard touchdown reception. Bosserman’s kick made it 28-6. May found Cameron Slone again later in the quarter as the receiver made another catch in traffic and broke away on a 65-yard scoring strike. Bosserman’s kick was good to make it a 35-6 lead. Cane Thompson recovered a Renegade fumble setting up third touchdown pass from May to Cameron Slone, this one from 10 yards out. Bosserman’s kick made the score 42-6 at the half.
The lead continued to grow in the third period when Elia scored on a 19-yard jaunt to increase the lead. Bosserman’s kick made the score 49-6. It was Bosserman’s seventh PAT kick of the game, setting a school record.
The Panthers added to the advantage early in the fourth quarter when Elia scored again, this time on a 53-yard. Rilee White added the PAT kick to make the score 56-6.
The Renegades got their second touchdown of the game when Jacob Toler scored on a 10-yard run to make it a 56-12 game.
But Elia answered by returning the ensuing kickoff back 68 yards for his sixth touchdown and final score of the game. Elia’s total was one touchdown short of Austin Vance’s school record of seven back in 2010.
For Tug Valley, Preston May completed 12-of-19 passes for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had 5 carries for 83 yards rushing.
Bryson Elia had 16 carries for 164 yards and 5 touchdowns rushing. He also caught 1 pass for 8 yards and had a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Cameron Slone had 7 catches for 207 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ashton Davis caught 1 pass for 16 yards. Brady Brewer had 1 reception for 12 yards. Gavin Fitzpatrick caught 1 pass for 8 yards.
Defensively, Cane Thompson led the way with 15 tackles and a fumble recovery. Adam Slone had 10 tackles.
For Westside, Kadien Vance completed 9-of-20 passes for 78 yards and 1 touchdown. He also carried the ball 11 times for 72 yards.
Jacob Toler had 6 carries for 28 yards and 1 touchdown. Bradyn Waldron had 3 carries for 25 yards. Noah Ellis added 6 carries for 23 yards. Kevin Mitchell finished with 11 yards on 3 carries and 1 reception for 4 yards.
Austin Bishop caught 2 passes for 30 yards and 1 touchdown. Coltin Lester had 3 receptions for 17 yards. Kyler Kenneda caught 2 passes for 17 yards. Ethan Walls had 1 catch for 10 yards.
Tug Valley stays at home next week with a game against rival Man. Westside travels to Shady Spring for an important clash.
Photos Courtesy of Karen Watts
