BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Bryson Elia and Cameron Slone both scored a trio of touchdowns in the first half and Tug Valley (8-0) went on to down Westside 62-12 Friday night at Bob Brewer Stadium at Naugatuck.
Elia, who was an All-State selection last season as a sophomore, ended the game with a school single-game record of six TDs. He had 164 yards rushing on 16 carries.
It was Armed Forces Night for the Panthers, who donned their camouflage jerseys for the game.
Tug Valley has been ranked No. 1 in Class A. The Panthers should remain first this week as the regular season winds down and fans look forward to the postseason.
Westside out of Wyoming County came into the game 6-1 and ranked No. 9 in Class AA.
The Tug Valley defense made it a rough night for Renegades quarterback Kaden Vance and his Westside teammates all night long. The boys from Naugatuck dominated the game on both sides of the football.
TV struck pay-dirt first in the opening quarter after Elia gave his team excellent field position on the opening kickoff return. The first offensive drive was capped by a 4-yard TD by the speedy junior running back at the 9:07 mark of the first. Aiden Bosserman kicked the point after to make it 7-0.
After an exchange of punts, Tug’s Marshall Jarvis recovered a fumble to end the second quarter.
Taking over at the start of the second quarter, Elia soon scored his second TD from 2 yards out. Bosserman’s kick was good to make it 14-0.
On the next drive, Elia weaved his way through the Renegades defense for a 39-yard touchdown. The extra point kick made it 21-0. A couple of nice passes from May to Brady Brewer and Cam Slone set up the score.
Westside got on the scoreboard before the first half was over as QB Kaden Vance connected with WR Austin Bishop. A bad snap caused a missed point after and the Panthers led 21-6 with 4:08 left in the half.
TV quickly answered as May hit Cam Slone on a passing play that went 66 yards for a TD. Bosserman’s kick made it 28-6.
May and Slone combined for two more scores before the half was over on passing plays of 65 and 10 yards.
The Panthers went into the dressing room at the half with a commanding 41-6 lead.
The second half was a running clock.
The shifty Elia scored two more TDs rushing in the second half. He had another on a nice kickoff return of 68 yards. Riley White booted the extra point.
Westside got one more TD from running back Jacob Toler.
On defense, Cane Thompson led a balanced attack for Coach Hady Ford with 15 tackles. Adam Slone had 10 stops, Dakoda Walker had six, and Austin Smith and Derek Jewell had five each.
TV’s May finished with 251 yards passing completing 12-18 passes.
Slone led the receivers with seven receptions and 207 yards. He scored three TDs.
Bosserman was a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points. This was also a school record for Tug Valley.
Vance led the Westside offense with 79 yards rushing and another 79 through the air. The Renegades are coached by Westside graduate Justin Cogar, one of the youngest head coaches in the state.
Tug Valley only has two more regular-season games left. They will play host to the Man Hillbillies this Friday and travel to Boone County to play the Van Bulldogs next week.
Score by quarters:
Westside: 0 6 0 6 – 12
Tug: 7 35 7 13 – 62