BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — What an epic high school football game to start a season.

When all was said and done, Mingo Central held on to defeat county rival Tug Valley 35-30 in the season opener for both schools to win the “Battle of Mingo.” The game was played Thursday in front of a sellout, standing-room-only crowd on a perfect late summer evening at Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck.

At the end, the game came down to one play with the Panthers having a chance to score and win the game, but Mingo senior defensive back Keziah Joplin intercepted a pass near the goal line to preserve the lead and the victory for the visiting Miners.

The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie after one quarter with the Miners controlling the football for most of the opening minutes using a strong ground game.

Mingo Central took its first lead with junior quarterback Jemere Knuckles hitting paydirt from 10 yards out with 10:49 left in the first quarter. Mingo lined up to kick the extra point; however the holder, Aidan Burke, picked up  the pigskin and rushed around the right side to score on the fake and give his team an 8-0 lead.

Senior standout running back Bryson Elia scored Tug’s first TD on a short run.  QB Preston May hit Jarron Holyfield for the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8 with 6:58 left in the first half.

Mingo Central’s Jace “Bam” Coleman took the handoff and rushed for a nice 64-yard TD run. Noah Newsome booted the point after to give the Miners a 15-8 lead. Knuckles scored his second touchdown of the night at the 6:40 mark of the third quarter. Newsome kicked the extra point to make it 22-8.

May dropped back in the pocket and connected with Cam Slone for a 28-yard TD pass. Elia ran it in for the two points to make it 22-16 late in the third frame.

Mingo’s Coleman scored on a 22-yard run early in the final quarter. Newsome’s kick made it 29-16.

But Tug Valley was not going away. May threw a strike to wide receiver Derek Jewell with 10:39 remaining. Jewell made a great leaping catch for a 26-yard TD. May then hit Gavin Fitzpatrick for the 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 29-24.

The Miners’ Knuckles, a transfer from Pike Central, got into the end zone for the third time of the night. He sliced his way into the end zone from 8 yards away. This scoring drive gave Mingo Central a little breathing room at 35-24.

The Panthers clawed their way back into the red zone after getting good field position on the ensuing kickoff. The May and Slone combination struck again with a 25-yard TD. The conversion attempt failed, but the score was 35-30.

After a good defensive stand, Tug Valley got the ball back and marched down deep into the red zone. The big play was a halfback pass from Elia to Slone.

But they came up one pass short as the Miners defense made the stop with Joplin’s pick on the final play of the game.

“It’s not the outcome we wanted but it’s behind us now, so we have to work to get better and get ready for next week,” TVHS coach Hady Ford said. “We made too many mistakes early that cost us. I know it was the first game, but we need to do better. Some mistakes were just mental focus and those are the ones that we must eliminate.”

Tug had several first half penalties while on defense.

“We started too slow and made mistakes at the worst times. We will get better. Just keep our heads up, get our focus on Sherman. That’s all that matters now,” Ford added.

Mingo Central coach David Jones was naturally thrilled with his team’s win.

“That was a hard-fought game. Tug Valley gave us everything they had — and we respect that. Rivalries like this one bring out the best in both teams,” Jones said. “But we stayed focused. We stayed together. We trusted each other — every play, every down. That’s what it means to wear this jersey.”

From there, Jones shifted from the intensity of the rivalry to the deeper meaning behind the victory.

“This win wasn’t about proving anybody wrong; it was about proving ourselves right,” he said. “We played with heart, we played for each other, and we played for our community.”

Finally, Jones widened his message beyond the scoreboard, reflecting on what it means to represent Mingo Central every time the players take the field.

“We represent something bigger every time we take that field. And win or lose, we carry it with pride,” Jones concluded.

May completed 15-25 passes for 198 yards and three TDs. Elia’s one pass completion went for 23 yards.

Elia carried the ball 22 times for 132 yards, with May rushing for 25 yards. Slone hauled in 5 passes for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Jewell caught 4 for 78 yards and a TD.

On defense, Cane Thompson picked up where he left off last season with eight tackles, while Bryson Richardson also had eight stops. Ben Gillman had seven, while Elia and Fitzpatrick had six each.

For Mingo Central, Knuckles rushed 19 times for 130 yards (three TDs) and he passed 5-11 for 37 yards. Coleman rushed 17 times for 186 yards (131 in the first half) and two TDs. Burke caught a pair of passes for 20 yards. Newsome and Burke led the Miners’ defense with five tackles each.

Mingo Central (1-0) will host Westside Friday, while Tug Valley (0-2) will entertain Sherman for the Hall of Fame game.

Score by quarters:
Mingo: 0 15 7 13 – 35
Tug: 0 8 8 14 – 30