BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Tug Valley led 20-0 at the half and then erupted for 26 more points in the third quarter to defeat the visiting Van Bulldogs 46-6 Friday at Bob Brewer Stadium.
The Slone brothers, Adam and Cameron, both scored a pair of touchdowns in a balanced Panthers offense. Brady Brewer, Buddy Marcum and Bryson Elia also hit paydirt for TVHS. Aiden Bosserman kicked four extra points to round out the scoring for Tug Valley.
Elia, who was switched to quarterback because of the injury to Preston May, completed 13-17 passes for 183 yards and four touchdowns. Elia also gained 81 rushing yards to lead Tug Valley.
Ashton Davis caught four passes for 74 yards, C. Slone five for 65 yards and Brewer three for 60 yards for Tug.
Cane Thompson led the Panthers on defense with 13 tackles, while Marcum had 11, Brewer nine and Mike Curtis eight.
Coach Hady Ford’s squad finished the regular season at 8-2. The top 16 teams in each class make the playoffs. So the Panthers are assured to make the postseason. They hope to remain in the top 8 and host a first-round game at Naugatuck.
“It was a good way to finish the regular season, but everyone is 0-0 now. This is where the real season starts,” Ford said. “The great thing is we get to play the first round at home. Not too many teams have had the opportunity to say that at Tug Valley.”
The WVSAAC 7th-ranked Tug Valley will host 10th-ranked Tyler Consolidated in Class A playoffs Friday at 7:30 p.m.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Van: 0 0 0 6 – 6
Tug: 6 14 26 0 – 46