The 11th-seeded Tigers (7-3) venture to No. 6 Spring Valley (7-3) at 4 p.m. in Class AAA opening-round action in the first-ever meeting between the schools in football.

Elkins is making its eighth appearance in the state football playoffs and for the first time since 2011-12, in the postseason in back-to-back years under the guidance of second-year coach Chad Ware and his experienced group of assistants.

Both teams rely on strong running games.

The Tigers feature 1,000th-yard rushers senior Logan Beam and junior Seth Robinson.

Marks

Sophomore Elias Jones, meanwhile, added another running threat in the win over Preston, accumulating 118 yards.

Beam had 186 yards on the ground and five touchdowns against the Knights, while Robinson tallied 149 and one score.

Junior quarterback Nate Sauerwein and sophomore receiver Xavier Workman lead the passing attack.

The offensive line, meanwhile, has helped the Tigers rush for nearly 3,800 yards on the campaign.

Spring Valley counters with senior Zeke Lewis, who has accumulated over 1,000 yards on the season and coming off a 212-yard effort in a 57-20 win over South Charleston two weeks ago.

Senior Miguel Cain and sophomore Colton Mathis contribute to the run game, while junior Caiden Lovejoy directs the offense from the quarterback spot and is another rushing threat.

The winner of today’s contest will host No. 14 Robert C. Byrd in the quarterfinals. The Flying Eagles advanced with a 36-28 upset win over No. 3 Fairmont Senior on Friday night.

At R.H. Armstrong Memorial Field at Class of 1984 Alumni Stadium in Parsons, eighth-seed Tucker County (6-4) and No. 9 Tug Valley (6-4) will do battle in Class A action at 1 p.m.

The Mountain Lions of head coach A.J. Rapp ended the season on a high note with a 21-14 win over Class AAA, No. 15 Hampshire last Friday.

Senior quarterback Sam Marks threw for 192 yards and connected with senior receivers Reid Kisamore and Keelyn Eichelberger on scoring passes.

Classmate Lucas Barb had four receptions for 98 yards and junior Cayden Arnold two for 62.

Marks added 53 yards rushing and Cade Rapp 48 on the ground.

The Panthers (6-4) counter with senior running back Bryson Elia, junior quarterback Preston May and junior receiver Cameron Slone.

The Mountain Lions defeated Tug Valley, 42-0, two years ago in the playoffs.

The schools have met in the last two boyd state basketball title games as well, with Tug Valley prevailing in both matchups.

Today’s victor moves on to face either top-seed Wheeling Central or No. 16 Tolsia in the quarterfinals.