HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — With a young team and a challenging schedule to kick off the 2023 season, Spring Valley suffered the program’s first 0-4 start in 18 years last fall. But as the Timberwolves matured throughout the year, a six-game winning streak allowed them to reach the playoffs for the 16th consecutive year.

“A lot of people would have given up if we started 0-4. But our guys kind of pulled themselves together and handled the adversity really well,” said Spring Valley head coach Brad Dingess. “I thought the seniors from last year did a really good job of holding the locker room together. You could see us getting better every week. I thought we were a pretty good football team at the end of the year.”

Spring Valley welcomes back a three-year starter and one of the state’s most dynamic playmakers in Jalyn Abercrombie, a Division I prospect versatile enough to play all over the field.

“He can do so many things. You can use him as a tailback or you can use him as a separation. He’s probably one of the best receivers in the state. He’s pretty electric when he gets the ball. We don’t dictate our entire offense around him, but I think you always have to know where he is when you’re defending us.”

While Abercrombie has the potential to spread the field, his experienced colleague Cole Ferguson can influence the game as a reliable attacking target player in the middle.

“He’s a great route runner. When you talk about him and (Jalyn) and a couple of our other guys, we can line up three or four guys that are pretty good receivers.”

Senior Liam McGuire returns at quarterback and hopes to build on the experience he gained as a starter last season.

“I think he got the most snaps in the second half of the year. He’s gotten a lot better and has a lot more confidence. He had a great offseason and has made some big gains.”

The Spring Valley program has produced several college linemen in recent years, and Dingess says many returnees were thrown onto the roster out of necessity last season.

“Six or seven of those guys all started a few games at some point early last year due to injuries.”

The Timberwolves have qualified for the postseason every season under Dingess, featuring a run-dominant offense. That offense could be diversified a bit with several top players in 2024.

“I’d like to be a little more even, 50-50 or close to that. If we’ve ever had someone who could turn it up and throw it a little bit more, this is one who could do it.”