GLENHAYES Ƶ Tug Valley (5-0) relied on big plays and a greedy defense Friday evening as the visiting Panthers defeated Tolsia (3-2) 24-16 in a pivotal West Virginia Class A matchup.
The Panther defense started fast by forcing a fumble on the Rebels' first possession. Tug Valley then put together an eight-play, 52-yard scoring drive which finished with a field goal by senior kicker Aiden Bosserman, giving the Panthers a 3-0 advantage.
The Tolsia defense keyed on Panther junior tailback Bryson Elia throughout the game, holding him to 32 rushing yards on 14 carries.
Unfortunately for the Rebels, the Panthers defense forced them to punt to Elia after stopping them. He took advantage of the situation and returned the punt 59 yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
On the return, senior Adam Slone had a key block near the goal line which allowed Elia to reach paydirt.
ƵBryson is an excellent athlete. We can get the ball in his hands, he is going to make plays," Tug Valley coach Hady Ford said. "We try to find ways to get him the ball."
The Rebels relied on their athletic sophomore quarterback Robert Evans to make plays all game, and during the first drive of the second quarter he ran a boot pass and found senior receiver Zach Ratliff, who had run by the safety on a post for a 53-yard touchdown reception. Evans ran a quarterback read play and outran the Panther defense for the two-point conversion, narrowing the score to 10-8.
On Tolsia's next drive, though, Panthers sophomore linebacker Cane Thompson made an interception, giving Tug Valley excellent field position.
Four plays later, facing a third-and-goal, May found sophomore receiver Cameron Slone on a corner route for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving the Panthers a 17-8 halftime lead.
The Panthers extended their lead on the first drive of the second half as May ran a play-action pass and found senior receiver Ƶhton Davis on a skinny post for a 53-yard touchdown.
Davis had an outstanding game on both sides of the ball. He had three catches for 105 yards and made several plays on defense as he was constantly pressuring the Rebels' quarterbacks.
ƵƵhton is a phenomenal athlete," Ford said. "He is a smart football player. Last year, he was leading the state in sacks. We have played more drop back coverage with him this year. So, he has not had as many rush attempts, but when he gets the opportunity to come off the edge, he can make things happen."
Tolsia coach David Thompson had an alternative game plan for the second half as he moved Evans to tailback and ran him at the Panther defense out of a Power I formation, which was successful.
The Rebels put together an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive. Tolsia faced a fourth-and-2 from the 3-yard line, and senior quarterback Luke Williamson scrambled, then found Bray Mollette over the middle for the score. Dakota Blackburn then ran a counter play for the two-point conversion, cutting the Tug Valley lead to eight points.
Thompson knew he could surprise the Panthers with the change on offense.
ƵThey had not seen it all year," he said. "We had not lined up in the Power I. and we felt if we could keep it close at halftime, we could run the ball. And we did, until our kids started cramping, then we had to kind of come out of it.Ƶ
The Panthers fumbled on the first play of the next drive and it was recovered by Tolsia defensive lineman Trevor Calhoun, giving the Rebel offense good field position.
The Panther defense bowed their necks and forced a three-and-out as senior defensive lineman Dakoda Walker tackled Williamson on a quarterback run for a 4-yard loss.
Tolsia had three more offensive possessions to try and tie the game, but the Panther defense was too strong.
The final drive ended when Evans, who had returned to quarterback, threw a pass to the goal line with 14 seconds left and Tug Valley sophomore defensive back Cameron Slone high-pointed the ball for the interception, sealing the win.
ƵI was just lucky enough to make a play on the ball," Slone said. "I was in the right position. It is a big win for us."
Added Ford: ƵIt was a hard, physical football game. We knew it was going to be. Our guys found a little bit of fight at the end right there, and that is what you got to have when you come here. When Tolsia and Tug play, it is going to be a dogfight."
Thompson was pleased with Tolsia's efforts as well.
ƵTo be as injured as we are, I think we played the No. 1 team in the state tough and sent a message throughout this state," he said. "We were close, right there.Ƶ
Tug Valley;10;7;7;0;--;24
Coal Grove;0;8;8;0;--;16
First quarter
TVHS Ƶ Bosserman 26-yard FG
TVHS Ƶ Elia 60-yard punt return (Bosserman kick)
Second quarter
THS Ƶ Evans 53-yard pass to Ratliff (Evans run)
TVHS Ƶ May 11-yard pass to Slone (Bosserman kick)
Third quarter
TVHS Ƶ May 61-yard pass to Davis (Bosserman kick)
THS Ƶ Williamson 3-yard pass to Mollette (Blackburn run)
Team statistics
;;;TVHS;THS;
First downs;;12;8
Rushes-yards;;20-47;45-193
Passes;;13-20;5-10
Passing yards;;265;85
Total yards;;312;278
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING Ƶ Tug Valley: Elia 14-32, May 5-20, Sloan 1-1; Tolsia: Evans 26-134, Mollette 13-46, Jarrell 1-0, Williamson 2-(-4), Blackburn 3-14.
PASSING Ƶ Tug Valley: May 13-20-265; Tolsia: Evans 4-7-82-2, Williamson 1-3-3
RECEIVING Ƶ Tug Valley: Slone 7-118, Davis 3-105, Elia 3-13; Tolsia: Ratliff 1-53, Jarrell 1-20, Williamson 2-9.
