BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
VAN, W.Va. — The Tug Valley Panthers made school history Friday night finishing the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and finishing ranked No. 1 in the WVSSAC playoff ranking for Class Single A.
The Panthers downed the Van Bulldogs, 48-20, at Herschel Jarrell Field on the campus of Van High School in rural Boone County, W.Va.
Several players saw action for Coach Hady Ford and his staff.
Tug Valley jumped out to a 21-0 lead after one quarter and led 41-8 at halftime.
“We were able to get a couple of quick scores in the first and that really set the tone for the game,” Ford said.
Quarterback Preston May threw five touchdown passes and was nearly perfect through the air, completing 14-15 passes for 232 yards.
Versatile tailback Bryson Elia led the rushing attack with 128 yards on only 10 carries and two touchdowns. Elia also caught one pass for 15 yards and a TD.
Elia has already rushed for over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. The speedy back also has 254 yards through the air and four scores.
May has passed for more than 2,100 yards and an amazing 28 TDs.
“Preston threw the ball well tonight. He continues to improve each week with making throws and reading defenses. And Bryson just continues to make plays even when the play is not there. He has such great vision to see plays before they happen and the athleticism to execute it. I also want to brag on Ashton Davis. He’s a selfless leader on our team that you don’t always see on the stat line. His knowledge of the game by being in the right place at the right time helps break plays open. Every skill player on our team benefits from his play on the field and it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Coach Ford said.
Jason Holyfield got one tote but made it count for 41 yards.
Cam Slone led the receiving attack, hauling in 4 passes for 91 yards and three touchdowns. Brady Brewer caught two passes for 56 yards and one TD. Davis had two receptions for 47 yards and Gavin Fitzpatrick caught a pair of passes for 23 yards.
Slone has over 1,000 receiving yards and 12 TDs on the season. Davis has six TD receptions so far in the 2024 season.
Aiden Bosserman kicked six extra points for TVHS.
On defense, linebacker Cane Thompson once again led the way with 15 tackles. Elia had seven stops, Holyfield six, while Dakoda Walker and Fitzpatrick each had five stops.
For the Van Bulldogs, Dalton Kessinger was the workhorse, gaining 183 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
Van finished the season with a 2-8 record.
Tug Valley will now host Madonna High of Weirton as they make the long drive down to Naugatuck for a first-round playoff game.
“We’re definitely excited to finish the regular season undefeated. That’s a mark that will stand and this team will forever be etched into the history of Tug Valley football. However, we’re not satisfied! We just want to take it one game at a time and keep getting better every single week,” Ford added.
(See related story.)
Score by quarters:
Tug: 21 20 7 0 – 48
Van 0 6 6 8 – 20