<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4QwjCR_1H4HhI5o00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4QwjCR_1H4HhI5o00" width="576" height="415" ></figure>NAUGATUCK, W.Va. – Last Friday night’s Tug Valley/James Monroe result must have been a shocker across the state, but not for Tug Valley High School football fans who have wanted their team to tear through the season like a spring tornado through a Texas trailer park.The Class A No. 3-ranked and fired-up Panthers destroyed the Mavericks in a 27-0 Senior Night whitewash in the Friday, Nov. 6 regular season finale at Tug’s Bob Brewer Stadium in Naugatuck.With the win, Tug Valley shot up to No. 1 in the final WVSSAC Football Ratings, won its ninth straight game, improved to 9-1 at set up a showdown with rival and No. 16 Tolsia (4-6) in a first-round playoff game set for Friday, Nov. 13 at Tug Valley.The Panthers simply dominated James Monroe from the opening drive as their defense held the Mavericks scoreless.The win avenged a 49-6 blowout loss at James Monroe in last year’s regular season finale. Tug Valley also took a 2-1 lead in the all-time series with the Mavericks and gained homefield advantage for the duration of the playoffs.Tug Valley senior All-State quarterback Preston May led the way for the Panthers, passing for two TDs and rushing for the other two to account for all four of the Panthers’ scores.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1m9Trt_1H4HhI5o00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1m9Trt_1H4HhI5o00" width="576" height="639" ></figure>TVHS first-year Coach Kyle Runyon said his team was focused, prepared and chomping at the bits to play the Mavericks.“As the regular season dwindled down we talked about how important this game was, that we could position ourselves exactly where we want to be if we come out and play,” Runyon said. “I’m proud of the development this team has had since Week One. We found our identity and we continue to grow.”James Monroe, which entered the game ranked No. 9 in the state in Class AA, dropped to 6-4 on the season and fell in the state rankings which forced the Mavericks to travel in a first-round playoff game.James Monroe was without starting quarterback Jayden Miller due to injury. His backup, Bentley McCroskey, had a hard time mustering up any kind of offensive groove as the Mavericks were only able to penetrate Tug’s 30-yard line only once all night.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1qRJbs_1H4HhI5o00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qRJbs_1H4HhI5o00" width="576" height="407" ></figure>“Our defense played lights out,” Runyon said. “We knew our assignments and we executed as well as we could. The offense was able to move the ball and take what was given. I’m beyond proud of everyone. Like I’ve said, looking at the way it’s fallen, we’ve positioned ourselves in the best direction. We’re excited to play at home in front of our fans and continue to build on a season that won’t be forgotten.”The Panthers honored its huge 12-member senior class before the game, including: Cameron Slone, Jarron Holyfield, Preston May, Braxton Jones, Parker Kelly, Derek Jewell, Rilee White, Cane Thompson, Garrett Hensley, Keaton Nelson, Gavin Ooten and Marshall Jarvis.The Panthers held James Monroe early as the Mavericks turned the ball over on downs near midfield.Moments later, May reached the end zone on a 2-yard TD run with 41 seconds to go in the first quarter, making it 7-0 Panthers following the Rilee White extra point boot.White then executed a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff and James Monroe ended up fumbling the ball away as Braxton Jones fell on the pigskin at the 12-yard line.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3LF6VC_1H4HhI5o00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3LF6VC_1H4HhI5o00" width="864" height="383" ></figure>Two plays later, May found Jewell on an eight-yard swing pass for a TD on the last play of the first stanza. White’s PAT was good and the Panthers led 14-0 after one. For Jewell, it was his first TD of the season. He has made a comeback after an off-season Achilles tear and surgery and was making his second game appearance of the fall after missing the first eight games.Later on, the Panthers expanded their lead to 21-0 as May tossed a beautiful 31-yard TD pass in stride to a streaking Slone who took the ball into the end zone with 9:13 to go until halftime. White’s PAT was again good.The final score of the game came with 10:27 left in the contest as May scored on a 3-yard TD run to finish off the scoring at 27-0.The Panthers held James Monroe to just 71 net yards of offense, including 19 rushes for 17 yards on the ground. McCroskey was 7 of 16 passing for 54 yards.Tug Valley rolled up 357 yards of total offense as May was 21 of 38 passing for 238 yards with TDs and one interception. The Panthers had 131 yards on the ground on 25 carries.May ran with the ball 10 times for 65 yards and two scores. Bryson Richardson had 45 yards on nine carries. Jones had five attempts for 24 yards.Slone led the Tug receiving corps with six catches for 77 yards and a TD. Mattox Sartin reeled in six passes for 54 yards. Holyfield had four grabs for 40 yards. Richardson had two catches for 28 yards. Jewell snatched two passes for 18 yards and a TD. Ben Gillman had one grab for nine yards.Thompson led the TVHS defense with 11 tackles. Nelson and Jarvis had six each. Holyfield, Jones and Ben Gillman had four stops each. Joe Gillman and Gabe Jarvis each had three tackles. Jewell finished with two tackles. Holyfield also had two interceptions on the night.White was three of four in extra point kicks.Tug Valley is just three wins away from reaching the Class A state championship game at Charleston.Like the 2024 team, which finished the regular season 10-0, the Panthers go into the playoffs as the top seed and with homefield advantage. The ‘24 Panthers topped Tolsia and Petersburg in home playoff games before falling 36-0 at home to Cameron in the semifinal round, denying Tug a chance at its first ever state championship game.“We’re looking for 16 more quarters of football and I don’t think we’re ready to slow down until we’ve found them,” Runyon said.--2026 Tug Valley High SchoolFootball Schedule (9-1):Aug. 27: at Mingo Central, L 6-37Sept. 4: at Wyoming East, W 44-29Sept. 11: at Logan, W 32-27Sept. 18: at Tolsia, W 48-45 Sept. 25: River View, W 56-6Oct. 2: at Sherman, W 50-44Oct. 9: Wayne, W 53-0Oct. 16: Mount View (Homecoming), W 48-0Oct. 23: BYE WEEKOct. 30: Man, W 46-12Nov. 6: James Monroe, W 27-0Nov. 13: Tolsia (Class A playoffs), 7 p.m.</div></body>

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NAUGATUCK, W.Va. – Last Friday night’s Tug Valley/James Monroe result must have been a shocker across the state, but not for Tug Valley High School football fans who have wanted their team to tear through the season like a spring tornado through a Texas trailer park. The Class...

Panthers cruise on Senior Night

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NAUGATUCK, W.Va. – Last Friday night’s Tug Valley/James Monroe result must have been a shocker across the state, but not for Tug Valley High School footbal

Panthers cruise on Senior Night

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