The Spring Valley High School varsity football team (Huntington, WV) will host Elkins High School (Elkins, WV) in a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 7:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: West Virginia High School Football
Who: Elkins vs Spring Valley
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30. p.m. ET
“2024 WVSSAC Football Playoffs – AAA”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Elkins vs. Spring Valley: A 2024 Football Season Comparison

The high school football season in West Virginia has seen some exciting matchups, and the upcoming game between Elkins and Spring Valley promises to add to the anticipation. Both teams have shown strong performances this year, but with some clear distinctions in their records and statistical profiles. Here’s a breakdown of their season so far, key stats, and the players to watch as the two teams face off.

Team Records and Overview

• Elkins High School has had a mixed season, finishing with a 5-5 overall record, and a 5-4 mark within their region. While they have been competitive, their performance has been more balanced, reflecting a .500 win rate across all games. The team has struggled slightly more on the road, with a 2-3 record in away games, compared to 3-2 at home. Elkins scored 264 points while allowing 287, showing some vulnerability on defense.
• Spring Valley High School, on the other hand, has enjoyed a more successful season with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 region record. They have proven themselves particularly strong on the road, with a 5-1 away game record, and an impressive 2-2 at home. Spring Valley has been more dominant on both offense and defense, scoring 427 points while allowing just 269. Their higher win percentage (.700) and region success rate (.714) reflect their status as one of the top teams in the area.

Scoring Averages and Team Strengths

When comparing the two teams’ scoring averages, Spring Valley stands out with a dominant offensive performance, averaging an outstanding 42.7 points per game, which indicates a potent and efficient attack. On the other hand, Elkins averages 26.4 points per game, with their highest output in the third quarter (20 points), but a noticeable dip in other quarters.

• Elkins Scoring Breakdown (Q1-Q4):
  • Q1: 3.0
  • Q2: 7.0
  • Q3: 20.0
  • Q4: 7.0
  • Total: 26.4 points per game
• Spring Valley Scoring Breakdown (Q1-Q4):
  • Final: 42.7 points per game

While Elkins tends to have a slow start, they often make significant adjustments, particularly in the third quarter. However, they will need to capitalize on their early opportunities to compete against Spring Valley’s high-scoring offense.

Team Stat Comparison

Both teams have shown strengths in different areas of the game. Elkins has been effective in both the rushing game and total yardage. They average 231.1 rushing yards per game and generate the same total yards per game. Defensively, they have an average of 24.8 tackles per game but have only managed 0.4 sacks per game, which may limit their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

On the other hand, Spring Valley’s statistics don’t include rushing or total yardage averages, but their offense speaks for itself with a formidable points-per-game figure. Defensively, they’ve allowed far fewer points compared to Elkins, making them a more balanced and complete team overall.

Key Players to Watch

• Nick Bowers (Elkins) is the standout player for Elkins. His rushing ability has been a significant contributor to their offense, as he averages 222.7 rushing yards per game and accounts for 17.8 points per game. Bowers’ performance will be crucial for Elkins if they want to keep pace with Spring Valley’s explosive offense.
• Riley Rider (Elkins) has been solid on defense, averaging 11.2 tackles per game. Rider will need to step up to help contain Spring Valley’s high-powered offense.

While Spring Valley’s team statistics don’t offer a direct look at individual leaders in the same manner as Elkins, their overall offensive and defensive consistency make them a formidable opponent. Key players from Spring Valley will certainly look to control the game from start to finish.

Record Breakdown by Opponent and Venue

• Elkins has been more successful at home, holding a 3-2 record in home games, but they’ll face a tough challenge in Spring Valley’s 5-1 away record.
• Spring Valley has been nearly unbeatable on the road, with a 5-1 away record, and they will likely bring their strong road-game mentality into this matchup.

Conclusion

As the teams prepare to meet, the clear takeaway is that Spring Valley has had a more consistent and dominant season, both in terms of their overall record and offensive firepower. However, Elkins has shown resilience, especially in the second half of games, and will rely heavily on their standout player, Nick Bowers, to push back against Spring Valley’s strength.

This game will likely come down to whether Elkins can weather Spring Valley’s high-scoring offense and capitalize on any defensive lapses. If Elkins can start strong and maintain momentum, they might have a chance to pull off an upset. However, Spring Valley’s overall depth and strong away-game record make them the favorites heading into this matchup.

With both teams having plenty to play for, this game promises to be a thrilling contest with high stakes. Fans should expect an exciting battle, where strategy, execution, and key player performances will be critical in determining the winner.