BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WEST LIBERTY, Ky. — The Tug Valley Panthers dominated the Morgan County Cougars 48-6 Saturday afternoon, spoiling the Sorghum Bowl game hosted by the home team at Don McKenzie Field in West Liberty.
The game was postponed Friday night due to the severe weather in the region caused by Hurricane Helene.
Tug Valley, now 4-0 on the season, jumped out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter and led 35-0 heading into the dressing room at halftime.
The Panthers had a balanced offense. The speedy Bryson Elia scored two touchdowns in the first half.
Tug Valley hit paydirt first as sophomore quarterback Preston May ran it in from 36 yards out. Aiden Bosserman’s kick was good giving the Panthers a quick 7-0 lead.
Running back Adam Slone scored the next TD on a nifty 17-yard run. The extra point made it 14-0.
May hit Cameron Slone for another touchdown pass from 14 yards. Bosserman’s kick made it 21-0.
In the second quarter, after another good defensive stand, all-stater Elia capped off a nice drive for TV with a 4-yard TD run. Bosserman’s kick made it 28-0.
Elia and May connected on a nice 24-yard touchdown pass play. The kick increased the TV lead to 35-0 at the half.
Cam Slone took the second-half opening kickoff down deep into Cougars territory. May connected with wideout Brady Brewer for a 27-yard TD. The kick was blocked, but TVHS led 41-0.
With the commanding lead, there was a running clock for much of the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Morgan County threatened to score, but Tug Valley recovered a fumble in the Cougars red zone to halt that offensive drive.
Tug Valley marched the football down the field and the drive ended with a 3-yard TD carry by senior Austin Smith. Bosserman’s kick made it 48-0.
Morgan County scored on the very last play of the game to avoid the shutout. Cooper Fleming ran it in from 9 yards out.
May finished the game completing 13-23 passes for 206 yards. He also rushed three times for 44 yards. He was selected as MVP of the bowl game.
Elia carried it six times for 36 yards, while Adam Slone rushed twice for 30 yards. Both backs had a rushing TD.
Tug Valley did most of its damage via the air attack. Cam Slone hauled in seven passes for 105 yards and a TD, Brewer caught two passes for 42 yards and a score, while Elia hauled in three passes for 55 yards and a TD.
Linebacker Cane Thompson led the Panthers on defense with 10 tackles. Adam Slone and Elia both had five tackles, with Elia having an interception.
Head coach Hady Ford is pleased with his squad’s start to the season.
“We really couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season at 4-0 with every game on the road. Our guys have really dug in and fought through some adversity,” Ford said. “We would have liked to have played the game on Friday but the weather just wouldn’t allow it.”
Ford was also happy with how the offensive line blocked.
“Each week we are getting better at understanding our offense and the defensive alignments. I think a lot of that comes with better focus at practice and realizing the potential we have and how far we could go this season,” Ford added. “Our defense has played really well this year and Saturday was a continuation of that. Having guys buying into the system just makes us better as a unit.”
Still, as most coaches feel, Ford knows there is still room for improvement by the Panthers.
“In every aspect of the game we can improve and as long as we keep that mindset as a team, then all we can do is just keep getting better,” Ford concluded.
The undefeated Panthers were ranked No. 1 in Class A in the WVSSAC playoff rankings.
Tug Valley will travel up U.S. Route 52 to take on regional rival Tolsia this week. The Rebels are 3-1 and ranked in the top 16 in Class A. They are coming off a convincing 47-0 win over Calhoun County.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
Tug Valley: 21 14 6 7 – 48
Morgan Co.: 0 0 0 6 – 6