NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — There are many reasons for optimism in Naugatuck as Tug Valley welcomes back nearly their entire roster following a 9-3 season where the Panthers collected the fifth playoff win in school history.
“I would say we probably met expectations,” said Tug Valley head coach Hady Ford. “We expected to make the playoffs and wanted to win one game. I felt like we were playing with house money if we made the final four.”
“That playoff game win last year at home just gave us a boost of encouragement,” said Tug Valley junior running back/defensive back Bryson Elia. “I think that is something that will help us out this year to get more towards that final goal.”
Many of Tug Valley’s top skill players a year ago were freshmen, including their leading passer, receiver and tackler. Cane Thompson had 106 tackles. Cameron Slone had 475 receiving yards.
“We had a really good freshman class,” Ford said. “I had five freshmen start at one time and four consistently started. Quarterback, receiver, an all-state linebacker, to have all those guys back is going to be a plus going into this year.”
Preston May tossed 20 touchdown passes against just 3 interceptions in his first season.
“He improved a lot,” said Tug Valley senior wide receiver/defensive lineman Ashton Davis. “Even since this summer, we have been working and he has improved a whole bunch.”
“As the season went on, he caught onto it pretty quick. He started recognizing defenses and was able to move in and out of the pocket,” Ford said.
A handful of key contributors to Tug Valley’s state championship basketball squad will be relied upon heavily this season. Junior Bryson Elia led the team with 1,281 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. Expect to see him line up at various spots all over the field.
“Whatever is best for the team is best for me,” Elia said. “Running back, defensive back, safety, it doesn’t matter. If I have to go out at wide receiver, it doesn’t matter. I can make plays wherever they need me to make plays.”
Senior Ashton Davis will make an impact on both sides of the ball. He made 21 tackles for loss last season.
“You don’t want to bring him off the field because he knows, not just what he is doing, but he knows what everybody is doing,” Ford said. “He is a great role player and a great teammate and he just works hard.”
The Panthers have come close but have not yet advanced to the state championship game. The potential exists for Tug Valley to vie for a spot in the Class A title game this fall.
“It is our dream to play in that state championship game,” Davis said. “It has never happened here before. It is very rare to make the playoffs here but we are starting something new.”
“We’re looking to play for a championship,” Ford said. “Anything less than that, I would be disappointed in our expectation level.”