The Bulldogs rarely lose at home in David Walker Stadium. File photo

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — It’s a long trek to the Eastern Panhandle from way down in Huntington. It’s an even longer trip back when your team (i.e. Spring Valley High School) absorbs a late-game, two-touchdown blast in a 42-20 loss to homestanding Jefferson High School, like the Timberwolves did on Saturday afternoon.

Jefferson rebounded nicely from a three overtime loss the week before.

Spring Valley lost its third-straight game on the winless season, after already seeing heavyweights Huntington and Cabell Midland in its first two attempts.

Jefferson will take its 2-1 record to Martinsburg on Sept. 22 after an open date this week.

The Cougars disregarded a 14-7 lead that the Timberwolves held, by scoring the ideal-weather game’s next three TDs to move in front, 28-14.

An overall advantage in team speed gave the Cougars what they needed to defeat the Timberwolves.

Long-range scores for the Cougars came on a 70-yard pass/run play from Dylan Harich to Jackson Rockwell, a break-coverage sprint of 72 yards by quarterback Harich and a burst through the middle of the Timberwolves defense on a 25-yard run by Rodrigo Delgado.

Economical with its pass offense, the Cougars threw only six times, completing three for 93 yards.

There were 248 yards rushing and a total offense figure of 302 yards, as compared with Spring Valley’s 208 yards of total offense.

Harich had 94 yards rushing on just eight carries. He scored twice. Keyshawn Robinson contributed 54 yards and two TDs on six attempts.

Delgado gained 51 yards on just four carries. Tay’Shaun Roper ran 14 times for 49 yards.

Despite three turnovers, the Cougars were able to convert seven-of-eight third down situations.

Spring Valley didn’t go down easily. When the Cougars led only 28-20, it took them notching the game’s final two TDs to expand their lead back to a more lengthy margin.

In Martinsburg, the Cougars will collide with a team with just as much overall team speed, a resourceful quarterback in Clement Murphy and one brimming with confidence. And the Bulldogs rarely lose at home in David Walker Stadium.

The highly ranked Bulldogs own wins over Clarkson (from Canada), Stone Bridge, Boys Latin School and Woodson High from Washington, D.C. None of their victories have come in close games.

In stopping well-known Spring Valley, the Cougars had posted a “take notice” message to the rest of the state.