In a game where points and passing attempts were at a premium, Spring Valley survived a defensive slugfest to clinch a spot in the Class AAA quarterfinal round with a 13-10 win over Elkins.
No points were scored by either team in the second half. The No. 6 Timberwolves (8-3) churned the final six minutes off of the fourth-quarter clock on a 12-play drive to secure the win to lock up a spot in the second round for the third time in five years and the seventh time in the last decade.
“They grinded that thing out,” said Spring Valley head coach Brad Dingess. “That was a hard-fought game in the trenches on both sides. Elkins has a great team. We knew it was going to be a slobberknocker coming in. Both of us really don’t throw the ball and we are run-oriented. I am so proud of our offensive line and our backs to keep the pile moving and run that thing out.”
Spring Valley opened the scoring just two minutes into the game. After forcing a three-and-out, Miguel Cain scored on a two-yard run to give the Wolves a 7-0 lead. Elkins (7-4) answered on their next drive. Seth Robinson’s 28-yard touchdown tote evened the score at 7.

In the second quarter, a lengthy SVHS drive was capped by a Caiden Lovejoy 16-yard scoring run. Trailing 13-7 midway through the second, Elkins cut their deficit in half with a 25-yard field goal from Dyer Barger.
Despite losing the turnover battle, 3-0, the Spring Valley defense did not allow a point after Barger’s field goal.
“Our defense did a great job and kind of stuck our cleats in and dug in there.
“They’ve got a couple of backs with a thousand yards and they were able to hit a couple jet sweeps on us. But we stayed true to our plan. Frank Arthur, I think he is the best defensive coordinator in the state. He had them dialed up and that was a great effort by those guys.”
Spring Valley will host No. 14 Robert C. Byrd (6-5) next weekend. The Flying Eagles upset No. 3 Fairmont Senior on Friday.

“I am so happy for these kids. We fought adversity and played a really tough schedule. We battled some injuries. These kids deserve it. We get to play at home and survive another week.”