NAUGATUCK, W. VA. — It is always exciting when these two bitter rivals get together and Friday night was no different as Tolsia ( 3-2 ) hung on for a thrilling 44-36 road victory over #11 Tug Valley ( 2-2 ) in front of big crowd.
Tolsia jumped all over the Panthers with a punishing ground game and a relentless defense that caused three turnovers to lead 20-0 at halftime.
Devin Crum put the Rebels out in from with a nifty 23 yard touchdown run. After a Paschal Doss interception set up the Rebels on a short field Tanner Copley went right up the middle on a 34 yard jaunt to make it 12-0.
Late in the second quarter Tolsia faced a 4th and 6 when Copley hit a streaking Josh Wilson who coasted into the end zone for a 45 yard pitch and catch, Crum ran in the 2 point conversion to make it 20-0. Parker Watts made a nice interception with under a minute left in the first half to preserve a 20-0 lead.
In the second half is when things got a little interesting in this rival game.
The Panthers really got things going through the air to open the second half with a 44 yard pass from Kyle Chaffins to Caleb May and a 2 point conversion pass from Chaffins to Dingess with 9:33 in the 3rd.
Tolsia answered in 4th down with a Tanner Copley 7 yard TD and 2 point conversion run by Crum with 7:13 left in the 3rd to make it 28-8.
Chaffins with the qb sneak from 1 yard out and 2 point conversion from Chaffins to May made it 28-16 Tolsia with 4:01 to go in the 3rd.
A Copley 40 yard TD run and Copley to Doss pass for the 2 point conversion made it
36-16 Tolsia with 1:25 to go in the 3rd.
Tug Valley scored the next two times on offense to make it a one score game on a Parker Brewer 4 yd TD run and 2 point conversion and it was 36-24 Tolsia with 11:56 to go in the game.
A nice 56 yard TD pass from Chaffins to May and it was
36-30 Tolsia with 9:01 to go in the 4th.
Tolsia would restore some order on a Crum 19 yard touchdown run and 2 point conversion pass from Copley to Josh Wilson made it 44-30 Tolsia with 3:08 to go.
Tug Valley answered on a Chaffins 18 yard TD pass to May. but the 2 point conversion is no good and it was 44-36 Tolsia with 1:52 left.
The Panthers recovered the on side kick but the Rebel defense made one last stand to preserve the victory.
Tolsia will host South Harrison ( 1-4 ) next Friday night at Wilts Salmons Field.
2018 Tolsia Cheerleaders
Front Row L to R Carissa Grace, Sara Doss, Mika Mccormick, Lea Blackburn, Raygan Meddings, Kendall Tucker, Jill Belt
Back Row L to R Cassie Chapman, Brynn Thompson, Haley Fluty, Daniel Williams, Camree Meddings, Hayley Collie, Katie Copley.
Front Row L to R Carissa Grace, Sara Doss, Mika Mccormick, Lea Blackburn, Raygan Meddings, Kendall Tucker, Jill Belt
Tolsia Coach Nick Crum
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… Offensively executed in all phases. The line blocked well and the backs ran hard. Probably the best offensive game we have had in a couple years. Defensively first half played pretty well, second half was another story. I think the guys got tired and let up a little bit. Tug Valley executed their offense and had a lot of momentum in the second half.”
“… You have to give them some credit, they took advantage of some mismatches and it turned into a shootout. At the end of the day it was a great win. Anxious to get back to work on Monday and get ready for South Harrison”
Tolsia Quarterback Tanner Copley
PLAYER’S COMMENT
“… We knew coming in that it was going to be tough. It’s a rivalry game so you never know what to expect. But we knew we could run the football. Our O Line has been dominate for a few weeks now and offensively it seems to be coming together.”
“… As far as the win, it couldn’t have came at a better time. We are now 3-2 and moving up in the rankings and this week is another must win to stay in the polls.”
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