The special season for Tug Valley continues. The top ranked Panthers started slow before pulling away for a convincing 49-20 win over the 8th ranked Petersburg Vikings in the Class A quarterfinals on Saturday at Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck.
After the Panthers (12-0) had a couple of drives sputter out, the Vikings (6-6) got on the scoreboard when Payton Metheny hit Caden Arbaugh over the middle. Arbaugh then raced down the field for a 64-yard touchdown pass. Alejandro Brualla’s PAT kick made the score 7-0 with 1:06 left in the first quarter.
The Panthers then drove the ball down the field, but Bryson Elia was called down short of the goal line on 4th and goal, despite it looking like the ball had broken the plane.
Tug Valley finally got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter when Elia punched the ball in from 2 yards out with 3:40 left in the half. Aiden Bosserman’s kick tied the score up at 7-7. The Panthers then forced a turnover when Elia intercepted a Metheny pass at their own 41-yard line and drove 59 yards for a score. Preston May evaded the pass rush and found an open Adam Slone in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass. Bosserman’s kick made the score 14-7 with 1.53 left in the half.
The Vikings drove the ball down the field but were denied on fourth down at the Panther 32-yard line. The Panthers needed just one play as May dropped back and found a wide open Cane Thompson over the middle. Thompson then outran the Petersburg defense for a 68-yard scoring strike. Bosserman’s kick made it a 21-7 lead at the half.
Petersburg was able to cut into Tug Valley’s lead with 8:19 left in the third period when Matheny connected with Peyton Tingler on a 5-yard touchdown pass. Brualla’s kick was wide left, but the Vikings were within one score at 21-13.
Tug Valley answered quickly when May found Adam Slone wide open for a 33-yard touchdown pass with 6:41 left in the quarter. Bosserman’s kick made the score 28-13.
The Vikings drove deep into Panther territory on their next possession, but Cameron Slone picked off a Metheny pass at the 5-yard line and returned the ball to the 50-yard line.
The Panthers put a strangle hold on the game with the ensuing drive. Elia capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Bosserman’s kick made the score 35-13 with 10:08 remaining in the game. Elia then picked off a Pass on Petersburg’s next possession. Tug Valley took advantage and scored on another 2-yard Elia run with 8:48 remaining. A few minutes later, Elia capped off a remarkable performance when he raced around the left end and down the sideline for a 64-yard touchdown run. Bosserman’s seventh PAT kick of the game, made it a 49-13 lead with 5:24 left and triggered the running clock.
Petersburg was able to score against Tug Valley’s reserves with 0:17 left on a 2-yard Arbaugh run, but the clock soon expired, and the Panthers moved on to the semifinals for the second time ever in program history.
The 12 wins sets a new record for the most ever for Tug Valley.
For Tug Valley, May completed 14-of-20 passes for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had 4 carries for 10 yards.
Elia had a game to remember out of the back field with 29 carries for 247 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also recorded 2 interceptions on defense.
Cameron Slone had 6 catches for 72 yards and had a crucial interception. Thompson caught one pass for 68 yards and 1 touchdown. Adam Slone had 2 receptions for 46 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brady Brewer caught 2 passes for 33 yards. Ashton Davis had 2 catches for 19 yards.
Defensively, Thompson had 9 tackles, including 3 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. Adam Slone had 7 tackles, 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss. Ashton Davis had 2 sacks. Dakoda Walker and Jacob Jones each recorded sacks as well.
For Petersburg, Metheny completed 9-of-22 passes for 201 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
The Panthers will now host the 4th ranked Cameron Dragons (11-1) in the semifinals. Cameron defeated Doddridge County, 28-13, in the quarterfinals. The opening kick is set for Friday night at 7 pm.
Photos Courtesy of Jarrid McCormick/Williamson Daily News
