SETH – A very slow start cost the Sherman Tide a loss in its opening game of the season Friday night at home against the Tug Valley Panthers at

Zontini Field.

The Tide dug a 14-point hole and despite a courageous second half comeback, Sherman allowed Tug Valley to steal a one-point victory, 22-21.

“We had our chances, but when you go down 14-0 and then add four turnovers, it’s pretty difficult to overcome,” said Sherman Head Coach Shann Elkins.

Senior quarterback Doug Ross (#4) played well at times, but like his teammates, also started slowly. Ross had three touchdowns, but he also had four turnovers on his stat sheet.

“We made adjustments in the second half and had a good chance to win the game in the last six or seven minutes, but we fumbled both times,” Elkins said.

It just seemed like a night of penalties, turnovers and miscues for the heavily favored Tide.

Tug Valley’s first score came after Jake Halstead tipped the Panther pass that fell into the arms of a receiver.

Following a Ross interception, Tug Valley scored again with 2:16 left in the first quarter on a pass play and then converted the two-point try.

After just one quarter, the Tide was down 14-0.

“I felt we could comeback if we held it to 14,” Elkins said. “We came out in the second half and played well.”

Sherman scored on its first possession of the second half and cut the Panther lead to 14-7, following a success one-point after touchdown kick.

The Tide kept rolling after a Tug Valley turnover and runningback Jake Halstead (#30) scored on a 20-yard run. Sherman tied the game after another successful point after touchdown kick by David Chapman.

With the score 14-14, Halstead made a big punt return, which set up the Tide in great field position, deep in Panther territory.

A Ross touchdown finally put Sherman in the lead, 20-14, and another Chapman kick made it 21-14.

Sherman stalled in the final quarter and Tug Valley scored again with just over eight minutes to play in the game.

Tug Valley’s sophomore quarterback Mikey Newsome threw a two-point conversion to his runningback for the game winning points.

Unofficial stats showed Halstead with 23 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown, while Ross ended two of seven passing, 15 carries for 109 yards, three touchdowns and four turnovers.

“We will continue to get better,” Elkins said. “If we keep our focus where it needs to be everything will take care of itself.”

Sherman, now 0-1, will play at home again this Friday against Class AA Independence High School, which won its first game against Midland Trail, 29-20.

“Our kids will give great effort this Friday,” Elkins said.

This is the second in four straight home games for the Tide. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Zontini Field.