BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The Class A No. 12-ranked Man Hillbillies (7-2) defeated No. 14-rated Tug Valley 24-8 on Senior Night at Bob Brewer Stadium Friday night.
The hard-fought contest saw a lot of penalties and turnovers by both teams, especially in the first half.
“In order to win those types of games, you have to keep your penalties and mistakes to a minimum, and we had too many of both,” Tug Valley Coach Hady Ford said.
Man took an early 2-0 lead on a safety after the Tug Valley quarterback couldn’t handle a shotgun snap and the pigskin rolled out of the end zone for the two points.
On the ensuing possession, Tug Valley linebacker Austin Smith scooped up a fumble by Man QB Jayden Brumfield and rushed 40 yards to help set up a TVHS TD. Three plays later, running back Adam Slone hit paydirt for a score. Bryson Elia leaped high into the air over the Man defense for the 2-point conversion to give the home team an 8-2 lead.
Elia intercepted a Hillbillies pass on the next drive and returned it for a touchdown. But it was called back due to a clipping penalty, one of the many flags thrown in the first half by the refs. Man took advantage of the situation and then intercepted a TV pass by Elia.
Tug Valley, now 6-3 on the season, used three quarterbacks on the night including Jaxon Nenni-Mills, Elia and Buddy Marcum. Much of the plays when Elia lined up at quarterback were from the wildcat formation. Starting QB Elijah Fluty missed his second straight game due to an injury.
“We tried a few different players at QB. Fluty should be available for Van,” Ford added.
Man took the lead on their next drive as Brumfield connected with Michael Ward on a post pattern and he raced for a TD. The extra point kick by Jaxon Tipton put Man in front 9-8.
Man, coached by longtime mentor Harvey Arms, increased its lead late in the first half as Jordan Adams scored on a 7-yard TD run capping a long offensive drive. Tipton’s XP kick made it 17-8 heading into the dressing room at the half.
After taking the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter, Adams scored his second TD of the night to increase his team’s lead. The kick made the final margin 24-8.
Slone led Tug Valley in rushing with 83 yards, while Elia had 79. TVHS only had 35 passing yards. Nenni-Mills was 3-7 for 20 yards, while Elia completed one pass for 8 yards and Marcum one for 7 yards.
On defense, Brady Brewer had eight tackles, Riley Damron and Slone 7 each, while Elia and Smith both had six tackles. Ashton Davis, Damron and Smith each had a sack, while Smith had a fumble recovery and Elia an interception.
Adams rushed for 101 yards to lead Man, while James Green had 73 rushing yards and Brumfield 63. Chris Issacs caught three passes for 83 yards and Michael Ward hauled in a catch for 81 yards.
It was the last regular season home game for Tug Valley’s two seniors Tanner Urconis and Johnathan Wagoner.
Coach Hady Ford’s Panthers close out the season at Van this Friday night. Tug Valley must win that final regular season game in Boone County to have a shot at the playoffs. Man clinched a playoff spot with the win over Tug Valley and takes on Logan County rival Chapmanville in their final regular season game.
“For us, the playoffs start a week early. You win – you keep playing, you lose – your season is over,” Ford concluded.
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
Man: 9 8 0 7 – 24
Tug: 8 0 0 0 – 8