May throws five touchdown passes
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Top-ranked Tug Valley Panthers remain unbeaten as they shut out the visiting Mount View Knights 48-0 Friday night at Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck.
Coach Hady Ford’s 7-0 Panthers have held the top spot in the WVSSAC rankings for three consecutive weeks, a big factor in securing home-field games come playoff time. This undefeated start marks the best in Tug Valley football history.
Tug Valley struck first on the scoreboard after kicking off to Mount View and having the first of many good defensive stands. The Panthers took the football to the house after only four plays. Sophomore quarterback Preston May hit wideout Gavin Fitzpatrick on a screen pass and Fitzpatrick took it to the end zone from 20 yards out. Aiden Bosserman’s extra point put Tug Valley up 7-0 at the 8:42 mark of the first quarter.
The Golden Knights had a lot of penalties on their next offensive drive. The Panthers took over again on offense after another solid defensive stop. This time all-stater Bryson Elia raced 80 yards on the second play of the drive for a touchdown. The extra point made it 14-0 with 2:35 left in the initial quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the TV defense forced another punt by the Knights. The Panthers put together an 8-play drive ending on a 5-yard TD pass from May to sophomore Derek Jewell. The extra point was wide, but the Panthers held a 20-0 lead at the 7:32 mark of the second.
Mount View fumbled on the ensuing kickoff to give the Panthers excellent field position. Elia scored his second TD of the first half on an 8-yard scamper. Riley White booted the extra point to make it 27-0.
The Panthers added to their total as May connected with senior end Ashton Davis who bulled his way to paydirt. Bosserman’s extra point made it 34-0.
May hit Jewell for his second TD of the night, a 33-yard TD. Bosserman’s extra point was good.
Tug Valley had a commanding 41-0 lead at the half.
May hit Davis for the final Panthers TD of the night early in the third quarter. It was the second of the evening for Davis. White booted the extra point to make it 48-0.
From that point it was a running game clock with Tug Valley’s commanding lead.
May had a career night for the Panthers. The TV signal caller threw for 253 yards and five TDs.
Elia rushed for 133 yards on eight carries and a pair of scores.
Davis hauled in four passes for 76 yards and two TDs, Jewell had two TDs catching four passes for 36 yards, Fitzpatrick had six catches for 81 yards and a TD and Cam Slone hauled in four passes for 60 yards.
It was a total team defensive effort for Tug Valley led by Cane Thompson and Adam Slone.
Coach Ford expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance in their second home game of the season.
“Our offense played well last night,” Ford said. “May was seeing the defense well and made some really good throws. The game is starting to slow down for him, and he’s making good decisions, putting the ball where it needs to be.”
He also praised the defense: “We had a solid team effort. With everyone flying to the ball and gang tackling we were able to keep them under 100 yards of total offense. With the athletes and speed that Mount View has that’s no easy feat.”
Ford noted the importance of staying focused despite Tug Valley’s No. 1 ranking and the possibility of home-field playoff games in the postseason being cause for excitement.
“It’s probably in the back of everyone’s mind but we’re just trying to focus on the game ahead. If we take care of this week, then we can play at home during the playoffs.”
Ford also took a moment to praise his players’ efforts.
“I am just really proud of all of our guys,” he said. “Their attitudes and work ethic have been refreshing this year. Cane and Adam always come up and lay some hard hits and I think it’s becoming contagious. Brady Brewer came up and gave one of the best hits of his career. Dakoda Walker has stepped up and been a great leader for our linemen this year and Aden Bosserman, I believe, has become one of the best kickers in Single A. And the good thing is we are still getting better every week.”
The Mount View Knights out of McDowell County dropped to 2-5 on the season.
The Panthers will play host to Class AA Westside on Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Score by quarters:
MV: 0 0 0 0 – 0
TV: 14 27 7 0 – 48
