BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Panthers football coaching staff has a goal for the 2023 season. That is to make the Class A playoffs.
Head Coach Hady Ford has several returning starters from last year’s squad and a couple of talented freshmen coming in that could help out right away.
The Panthers finished last season with a fine 6-4 record but were outside of the top 16 when it came to making the playoffs in the Mountain State.
Big tight end/defensive end Buddy Marcum and offensive/defensive lineman Luke Bartrum are leading the charge for the Panthers. Marcum also plays center on the basketball team. Bartrum has the strength and experience to anchor the team’s offensive line. They were both All-State selections last year.
“Those guys have put the work in during the offseason and that is what it takes to have a successful senior year,” Ford stressed.
Junior Jaxon Nenni-Mills and freshman Preston May are in a battle for the starting quarterback position. Both will likely see action this season.
“Right now we have Jaxon and Preston battling for the starting job. Jaxon has a good understanding of the offense. This is his third year in the system. Preston has progressed well during the summer, so it’s making for a good competition,” Coach Ford, now in his fifth year, said.
Adam Slone, Austin Smith and Bryson Elia return at running back and should get a lot of carries this year.
“All three backs have a couple of years in the system, so that has helped,” said Ford.
Ford has some returning starters along the line and feels that will be a strength for the Panthers.
“We have three returning linemen. Bartram, Dakoda Walker and Gage Preece. Those guys have worked hard… I expect them to step it up a notch from last year, and I believe they will.”
Brady Brewer and Ashton Davis return at the wide receiver slots. Fans can expect both to contribute.
Elia is also a capable receiver at wideout or out of the backfield.
Tug Valley is set to open the regular season at home in a rare Thursday night game Aug. 24 as the Panthers will host in-county rival Mingo Central. This will be only the second time the two teams have played, as the Miners throttled the Panthers 71-12 during their lone matchup back in 2011.
Ford said, “Our toughest game of the season, no doubt our biggest, might be the first game.”
Kickoff for that highly anticipated clash is 7:30 p.m. Look for a huge crowd.
After the opener the Panthers will host Sherman and Symmes Valley, Ohio, then travel to Pike County, Kentucky to take on East Ridge. They host regional rival Tolsia at midseason.
The final four-game stretch will likely be big for the Panthers this season. They will face Mount View, Westside, Man and Van. These games will likely decide their playoff spot in Class A.
“We just have to buckle up and be ready every week. With our schedule there are no weeks off. If we don’t play well we could get beat on any given week,” the Panthers coach added.
“We have a good chance to make the playoffs if we play smart and play as a team. Playing as a team, not being selfish, and players sacrificing for what’s best for the team will be the key to that.”
Tug Valley fans expect a good season and the playoffs are definitely a good possibility in 2023.
2023 Tug Valley Football Schedule
08/24/23 7:30 p.m. H – MINGO CENTRAL
09/01/23 7:30 p.m. H – SHERMAN
09/08/23 7:30 p.m. H – SYMMES VALLEY
09/15/23 7:30 p.m. A – EAST RIDGE
09/29/23 7:30 p.m. H – TOLSIA
10/06/23 7:00 p.m. A – RIVER VIEW
10/13/23 7:30 p.m. A – MOUNT VIEW
10/20/23 7:00 p.m. A – WESTSIDE
10/27/23 7:00 p.m. A – MAN
11/03/23 7:30 p.m. H – VAN