NAUGATUCK – Last week’s bye week could not have come at a better time for the Tug Valley Panthers.
Two weeks ago, in its 41-0 victory over the Tolsia Rebels, Tug Valley starting quarterback Elijah Fluty left the game with an injury and did not return to the lineup. Fluty’s status is unknown as of press time, but the bye week was an opportunity to rest up for what may be the hottest team in Class A, the Mount View Golden Knights.
In the past three weeks, Mount View has seen its stock go from playoff bubble team to Class A contenders with wins over No. 14 Sherman, No. 14 Van and No. 18 Man.
The victories catapulted the Golden Knights from 18th three weeks ago all the way to fourth in this week’s West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission ratings.
Tug Valley has won its last two games and has an opportunity to play its way back into the postseason picture. The Panthers added a game with Twin Springs (VA) to be played on Oct. 19 at Twin Springs. Following that contest the Panthers have games left with Class AA Westside and Class A ranked teams Man and Van to close out the season.
The Panthers may have to win out to qualify for the postseason for the third straight season. Mount View, on the other hand, is looking to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
The Golden Knights are led on offense by quarterback Ryan Long, who has completed 47-of-93 passes for 837 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year. Justin Haggerty leads the Golden Knight rushing attack with 512 yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries. T.J. Bell has 462 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including a 90-yarder in the Golden Knights win over Man last week.
Long’s favorite target, Justin Haggerty has 13 catches for 224 yards and five touchdowns while Jaylen Hall has six grabs for 197 yards and one touchdown.
Tug Valley will be without Tanner Kirk, who is serving a one-game suspension for his role in an altercation in the third quarter of the Panthers 41-0 win over Tolsia. Buddy Marcum, who rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns, will be called upon to carry the load offensively for the Panthers.
The Panthers hope to use an efficient ground attack to eat minutes off the clock and keep the Golden Knights offense off the field Friday.
