The Inter-Mountain file photo Players from Elkins and Philip Barbour are shown during last year’s double-overtime clash won by the Tigers.

ELKINS — There will be no lack of storylines when Elkins and Philip Barbour battle this evening.

Along with both teams in the thick of the playoff hunt, throw in offseason transfers from one school to another, the Tigers seeking their first 5-0 start since 2012, the Colts looking to end a two-game skid and memories of last year’s classic double-OT win by Elkins swirling through the air.

Plus it will be homecoming at Philip Barbour.

It all adds up to being a special atmosphere at George Byrer Field at BC Bank Park in the 63rd meeting between the schools.

The Tigers enter the matchup sixth in this week’s WVSSAC playoff ratings and coming off a 57-29 home win over Buckhannon-Upshur.

The trio of backs for Elkins High were at it again last Friday, combining for nearly 500 yards rushing and eight scores.

Seth Robinson had 259 yards on the ground with three scores to pave the way, while Jaden Hatfield added 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Logan Beam, who played for the Colts in 2023-24 after his freshman year at EHS, 84 yards rushing and three TDs.

Beam also had an interception in last week’s victory and is one of the top tacklers on defense, along with linemen Owen Stanley and Devin Hulver.

Quarterback Nate Sauerwein directs the offense and his favorite target through the first four games of the campaign has been Xavier Workman.

Philip Barbour, meanwhile, will be playing its first game at home after starting the year with four straight road games.

The back-to-back losses have came at the hands of Class AAA, No. 9 North Marion (20-13) and to Bridgeport (63-14) last week.

The Colts, 11th this week in the Class AA ranks, look to a talented group of senior receivers to lead the way, led by Malachi Poling, Cam Bennett and Patrick Webster.

Quarterback Robbie Jones and running backs Landyn Carpenter and Mason Jones are other offensive threats.

All-state linebacker Tyler Vance spearheads the defense.

In other action this evening, Tygarts Valley ventures to Pendleton County and Tucker County hosts Webster County in a battle of Class A state-ranked teams.

Buckhannon-Upshur is idle.

The Bulldogs have lost three straight since defeating Valley-Wetzel in the opener but enter just two spots from being among the top 16 in Class A.

Quarterback Austin Gear and skill players Jacob Wamsley, Noah McAtee and Aiden Phares lead Tygarts Valley.

The fifth-rated Wildcats have been idle since dropping a close verdict to Class AA, No. 4 Petersburg, 26-21, two weeks ago.

Quarterback Colton Roberson ran for two scores and threw another to Travis Owens in the setback.

The eighth-rated Mountain Lions (3-1) look to regroup from last week’s 48-8 loss at Class AA, No. 2 Frankfort when the 13th-rated Highlanders visit R.H. Armstrong Memorial Field at Class of 1984 Alumni Stadium.

Quarterback Sam Marks and talented receivers Reid Kisamore and Lucas Barb ignite the Tucker County attack. Cade Rapp tops the squad in rushing.

Webster County (2-1) dropped a 49-18 verdict to St. Marys in its last outing.

The Highlanders are led offensively by quarterback Isaiah Cutlip, receiver Ryder Wright and running back Eli Amos.