SPRING VALLEY -- October is the time when ghouls and goblins come out for Halloween, but Friday night it will be the speed demons of South Charleston's football team that Spring Valley is concerned with.

Spring Valley (5-2) heads to Oakes Field to confront No. 1 rated South Charleston (8-0) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. If the Timberwolves don't slow down the lightning quick Black Eagles, a Halloween massacre could ensue under the dark skies.

The Timberwolves are No. 12 in the Class AAA ratings and want to protect their playoff hopes.

"They (South Charleston) have 10 guys on the bench that are faster than anyone we have on the field," Spring Valley coach Brad Dingess said. "We have to make it a physical football game and use our strength against their speed."

South Charleston centers its offense around running back Aaron Slusher and do-it-all receiver Aaron Dobson. Both players possess tremendous athleticism and are a sure bet to score if they reach the open field.

Slusher is a slashing runner, elusive and hard to bring down. Slusher has burned opposing defenses for 626 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 100 carries.

Dobson's 6-foot-3 frame and leaping ability make him a pass-catching weapon. Dobson has caught 24 passes for 636 yards and eight touchdowns.

South Charleston quarterback Marcel Brown has the speed to tuck it and run, but a strong arm has allowed him to pass for 720 yards and six touchdowns.

Running backs Dylan Turner and Tyler Harris add more depth to a Black Eagle backfield that is already loaded.

Spring Valley will look to offset South Charleston's speedy ground game with a high-powered run game off its own. Zach Harrison and Zack Wellman will try to wear down the Black Eagles defense down by hitting them hard on initial contact and moving them forward.

"We know what we're in for, but we will be ready for them," Harrison said. "I think we can give them a good game, but we just have to give it all we got and stay focused as a team."

Spring Valley quarterback Kevin Lawrence led the team in close wins over Huntington High and Lincoln County. He will need to deliver another big performance if the Timberwolves hope to keep it close.

Lawrence has been the centerpiece of the Timberwolves offense, piling up 818 total yards and 10 touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

"Kevin Lawrence is the leader of this team and we will be expecting another big game from him this week," Dingess said. "We have to establish some long drives and keep South Charleston's offense off the field."

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