BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — There is no doubt that Tug Valley High School fans have enjoyed watching Bryson Elia perform on the football field the last three years.
Now, as he heads into his senior season, the speedy two-way player is ready to lead the Panthers again.
“Knowing it’s my senior year makes me reflect on all my football memories throughout my life and it makes me want to perform at the best of my ability and give it everything I’ve got since it could be my last time on the field,” Elia said on heading into his last season of high school football.
Elia was a first-team All-State selection in the last two seasons. The versatile running back had impressive stats on both sides of the football.
On the offensive side, he rushed for 1,478 yards on 196 carries, scored 20 touchdowns and grabbed 32 passes out of the backfield for 379 yards and six touchdowns.
On defense, Elia had 52 tackles, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
He is a team player but has some things he would like to do in his final season.
“My personal goals going into this season are really just to have nothing less of the season I had last year, but to hopefully add some numbers to about everything. Also aiming for that first team all-state again as well,” a modest but confident Elia said.
He helped the Panthers to the best record in school history last season.
“Making school history with some of my best friends out on the field last year was truly an amazing feeling,” said Elia. “But we all know how it ended, and it was not in the way we wanted and worked for.”
Tug Valley lost in the Class A semi-finals to end their season.
“This season I feel like we’ve got a bad taste in our mouth of how it feels to lose a game as big as last year’s,” said Elia. “And we all have a laser-focused mindset going into the season knowing the job we have to achieve and I believe we will do just fine.”
Elia and his teammates thrive on the support they have from Tug Valley fans and family.
“Though it’s nothing new to hear. Tug Valley Panther fans are the best fans anywhere,” he said.
“Opposing teams coming to play us know exactly what they are getting as soon as they step onto the field and that is rowdy Panther fans ready to lose their voices. With that much of a backbone behind us, it gives us a drive to want to succeed and there is no better feeling than that,” the senior added.
Elia is really looking forward to his final high school season on the gridiron.
“I’d like to say I appreciate all my teammates. They’ve worked extremely hard this offseason and are always there for me no matter what,” he stressed. “Football is only temporary but the teammates I’ve got with me are brothers for life and that will be how it always is.”
From teammates to mentors, Elia said the support system around him has made all the difference.
“I would also like to thank the coaches for helping to guide this team in the right direction and holding us accountable for anything and everything so we can be the best we can be,” he remarked.
“Lastly, I’d like to thank my family, not just for always supporting me, but for giving me motivation and encouragement like no other. Everyone in the Elia family knows that when it’s football season, it’s time to be serious for a couple of months. My dad Nick and brother Dawson both played football their entire lives and were very successful themselves, which gives me a drive to keep the family tradition alive and well.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey through it all.”
Look for Elia to have another good campaign and help lead Tug Valley to a great season.