BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — Tug Valley Panther football player Derek Jewell will likely miss his senior season due to an injury suffered at a recent football camp at the University of Charleston.

The talented wide receiver/defensive back was expected to have a big senior season this fall for the Tug Valley.

Jewell’s father, David Jewell, said Derek sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon that required surgery.

He had the procedure at Charleston Surgical Center.

“We think it went pretty well,” David Jewell said. “They want him to start physical therapy in about a week and a half.”

Jewell has been a solid two-way player for the Panthers the past three seasons. He had continued to improve, helping his team to the playoffs.

Last season for the 6-5 Panthers, Jewell was Tug Valley’s second-leading receiver with 35 catches for 533 yards and five touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jewell was among the team’s top tacklers with 49 total stops. He also had four special team tackles, a pick-six interception and a pair of tackles for loss.

Jewell had also played basketball at Tug Valley but did not go out for the team this past season.

“Since our playoff loss to Tucker County last year, Derek was determined to work hard and get better to hopefully help Tug Valley win its first state championship,” said David Jewell. “He sacrificed his junior year of basketball to dedicate his entire football offseason to getting faster and stronger.”