Tolsia outlasts strong Tug Valley team 31-14…HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

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Fort Gay, W. Va. —  In a battle of unbeaten rivals the game usually comes down to who wants it more and that is exactly what happened Friday Night as the Tolsia Rebels ( 5-0 ) remained unbeaten as they took down the Tug Valley Panthers ( 4-1 ) 31-14 in front of a jam packed crowd at Wilt Salmons Field.

Tolsia Quarterback Seth McMillion scored three touchdowns and Luke Presley added one and scored twice on two point conversions.

McMillion got the Rebels on the board first on a 24 yard touchdown run and Presley added the two point conversion for a 8-0 lead with four minutes to go in the 1st quarter. Tug Valley answered back when Tyler Conley found Corbin Oliver on a swing pass that went 68 yards for a touchdown, the two point conversion failed and with 8:37 to go before half the score was 8-6 Tolsia.

The Panthers took the lead just a couple minutes later when Conley found Calvin Blankenship for a 20 yard touchdown pass and then again for the two point conversion and the Panthers lead 14-8. Tolsia had one more shot before halftime but the Tug Valley defense stopped them inside the five yard line to set the halftime score at 14-8 Tug Valley.

Late in the third quarter the Rebels took the lead for good when McMillion scored from 16 yards out and Presley bullied his way for the two point conversion as the Rebels led 16-14. In the fourth quarter Tolsia seemed to wear down Tug Valley and put the clamps on them defensively holding them to zero second half points.

Presley got loose for a 29 yard touchdown run and Jennings Holland kicked the extra point to give the Rebels a two score advantage at 23-14 with 8:38 to go in the game.

After a Tug Valley fumble McMillion put the game away when he scored from 1 yard out and ran the two point conversion in for a 31-14 lead. Tug Valley tried to get back into the game by throwing the ball and defensive backs Blake Rose , Brian Campbell and McMillion were back waiting and knocking down pass attempt one after another.

Tolsia got the ball back and ran out the clock to secure the victory 31-14. Tolsia will be back in action next Friday night as they travel to Sissonville.

Tug Valley will host Buffalo on the same night.

‘COACH’S COMMENTS;

“Thought all week our focus wasn’t where it needed to be, Tug Valley puts a lot of stock into this game and they came out fired up,” Tolsia Head Coach Mike Smith said. “We weathered the storm and the kids gave a good effort. Saw some good things on offense as well. Right before half we should have went back to the ground and pounded it but that was a blunder on my part, ” Smith said. “Our strength and conditioning wore them down in the 4th quarter.  Before we go to where we want to, we have to clean up the penalties.”

From the players…

“Intensity was there all night, we knew Tug Valley was good they were 4-0 for a reason,” Tolsia QB Seth McMillion said. “When we took the lead we knew the game wasn’t over we had to keep fighting, games are won in the 4th quarter. Have to keep getting better, but 5-0 feels great.”