BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The coaching staff and players at Tug Valley High School are excited and optimistic as the 2024 season approaches.

During a hot, muggy August afternoon, the Panthers held media day at Bob Brewer Stadium after another productive practice.

Tug Valley made the Class A playoffs last season and hosted the school’s first-ever playoff game at Naugatuck. Coach Hady Ford and his staff return most of their starters from last year. They lost two key starters due to the graduation of Buddy Marcum and Luke Bartram, both All-State selections last season.

The Panthers had seven players named to the Class A All-State teams or honorable mention list last year.

“We could have a really successful season,” head Coach Hady Ford said on media day. “It all comes down to how hard we work. Game one is a pivotal game for us.”

Tug Valley will travel to Mingo Central in the season opener to take on their county rival at Harless Stadium.

“I feel like if we win that one we could win the first three games. If we lose that one, we could lose the first three,” Ford said, pointing out the importance of that season opener.

“It will set the tone for the year,” Ford added on the momentum a win in the first game could give his squad.

First-team All-Stater Bryson Elia, a versatile junior, returns to help his team to another winning season and hopefully a playoff run. Elia started at running back but was moved to quarterback because of injuries. The speedy Elia is also a great defensive back and will handle the punting for the Panthers.

As a sophomore, Elia had 1,281 rushing yards and 19 TDs. He also passed for 386 and 7 TDs once he moved to quarterback. The sure-handed Elia had 450 receiving yards and 6 TDs. He also had five interceptions on defense, several tackles and pass breakups as a defensive back.

“We definitely want to get the football in his hands,” Ford said of Elia. “He has great speed, he can juke and he is a smart player.”

Four other Tug Valley players who landed spots on the All-State Honorable Mention list a year ago return this season. They are sophomore linebacker Cane Thompson, senior defensive end Ashton Davis, senior running back/linebacker Adam Slone and senior lineman Dakoda Walker.

All were big on defense last season. Davis was among the top quarterback sack leaders in the state, Thompson was one of the leading tacklers on the squad as a freshman, while Slone and Walker were also key players on the defensive side of the ball.

“We’ve put in some hard work in the offseason,” Ford said. “We have a lot of pieces back and I think most of them have a good understanding of the offense versus what they had last year.”

With all of the experience Tug Valley has back, Ford and his assistants are optimistic for a good season.

“That is one thing that is going to help a lot,” the TVHS coach said. “Having all of our skill players back, our quarterback and receivers – everybody has a good feel for the offense. That really helps in week one. It is just a matter of execution.”

As with most small Class A schools with small rosters, Ford hopes his team can be blessed with few injuries. “One of our keys this year is for everybody to stay healthy,” he added. “I feel like if we can stay healthy we can push for the Final Four and even the championship game.”

Last season Tug Valley had at least one starter and sometimes more out for every game.

“Staying healthy is a big factor, especially in single A,” Ford stressed.

Preston May, a sophomore quarterback, returns this year after getting injured last year and missing most of the season. His staying healthy as the signal caller will go a long way toward a winning season. Ford expects May to step up even more going into his 10th grade season.

“I’m hoping he takes that next step. He has been working really hard,” said Ford. “He has put the work in and if he stays healthy he can see the rewards from it.”

Slone and Thompson, along with senior Austin Smith, will also see action in the backfield along with Elia.

“I feel like we are deep at running back,” Ford added.

The Panthers return several of their top receivers: Brady Brewer, Ashton Davis, Cam Slone, Derek Jewell and Gavin Fitzpatrick.

“We are four or five, maybe six deep,” Ford remarked. “We can put Adam (Slone) and Cane (Thompson), who can also play receiver.”

Ford and his staff feel good about the defense and the starters they have returning on that side of the pigskin.

“We lost two All-State defensive linemen, so that is huge,” the veteran coach said. “I told our linebackers that they don’t know what a huge luxury that was having them up there. It made their job a lot easier.”

The staff are working the guys hard.

“We are trying to fine-tune some things we didn’t do well last year. We have all of our secondary back and all of our starting linebackers returning. Hopefully we can fill in for those defensive linemen. Marshall Jarvis, I think, will do a good job for us – he is just a sophomore. The other job is open and it is there for whoever wants to earn it,” said Ford.

“I think Cane and Adam could be one of the best linebacker duos in the state. They make plays, they hit hard and they are fast,” the Panthers coach added.

“Ashton (Davis) is a great pass rusher at defensive end, and Austin Smith also saw a lot of action as a linebacker last season.”

The offensive line has four returning starters, which is big for TVHS. Dakota Walker will be at center, Jarvis at left guard and Gage Preece at left tackle. On the right side will be Max Hatfield and Dylan Meade, who are battling for starting spots. Jacob Jones is the right tackle and has experience. Ford said Cody Maynard could see some playing time on the line on both sides of the football. They are all fighting for playing time on offense and defense, according to Ford.

“We need guys to rotate in and out, especially those first few weeks.”

The kicker will once again be Aiden Bosserman, who made 39-43 extra-point attempts last year. He is capable of hitting field goals that are within his range.

Tug Valley should once again make the playoffs again in 2024. The players, coaching staff and fans hope they can make a deep run in the postseason.

With a little luck, a couple of breaks and the returning talent, the playoffs could come to fruition for the Panthers this season.

2024 Tug Valley Football Schedule

• Aug. 29: at Mingo Central, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 6: at Sherman, 7:30 p.m.

• Sept. 13: at Logan, 7 p.m.

• Sept. 20: BYE

• Sept. 27: at Morgan County (KY) 7 p.m

• Oct. 4: at Tolsia, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 11: River View (Hall of Fame Game), 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 18: Mount View, 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 25: Westside, 7:30 p.m.

• Nov. 1: Man, 7:30 p.m.

• Nov. 8: at Van, 7:30 p.m.