FOXBURG — Getting off on the right foot is foreign to the A-C Valley football program.

Falcons' coach Brad Dittman is hoping to change that.

It's been 13 years since A-C Valley opened a season with a victory, a 56-6 win over West Shamokin in 2000.

Dittman's tenure with the Falcons began with a narrow 16-14 loss to Union last year.

The KSAC rivals will open the 2013 campaign Friday on the Falcons' turf in Foxburg. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

“All week, we've talked about how key a fast start would be for us,” said Dittman. “Had we won last year, I would have liked to have seen how that could have sparked us.”

Union coach Dave Louder understands the magnitude of a positive first step. The opening victory over the Falcons in 2012 set the tone for a 9-1 regular season.

With several fresh faces on both sides of the ball, Louder believes an early win this time around could establish confidence for his young squad and set another successful season in motion.

“It's everything to us,” said Louder. “We've been preaching that. These kids need to create their own first chapter.”

Starting at quarterback for the Falcons will be sophomore Evan Redding, who topped junior Cody Jones for the right to call signals. The former saw some action last year as the backup for the graduated Kevin Kaufman.

“Evan's fundamentals and knowledge of what we're doing on offense were superior,” said Dittman. “It was clear that he should lead us. We do plan on starting Jones at wide receiver.”

Louder knows that A-C Valley should not be overlooked, despite the program's struggles in recent years.

“Last year, that was a way better A-C Valley team than they've had in the past,” he said. “I thought they were good enough to win more games, but it's hard to come back after that first loss.”

Senior running back Mike Suto (5-foot-10, 181 pounds) will figure prominently into A-C Valley's ground attack. In last year's matchup, the Falcons rushed for 89 yards.

“They ran well against us,” said Louder. “When we watched the film from the game, they pushed us around. We're coming along, but we really need to be prepared to stop the run.

“They run a pistol set and their linemen are tight to the line of scrimmage. They run a lot of misdirection,” he added. “We need to make sure we're not driven off the ball and don't get caught looking in the backfield. We don't want to get suckered into a trick play and give up a big gain.”

Lane Cicciarelli, a junior, will be Union's starting quarterback.

“The offense is ahead of the game from where we were last year,” said Louder. “Lane has been running the offense very well.”

Union fullback Cody Greenawalt will pave the way for a backfield combination of Eric Seary, Dylan Shirey and Cody Stockdill.

“We're looking at three guys carrying the load,” said Louder. “Hopefully, one of them will get the hot hand.”

Brashear at Slippery Rock

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year:Brashear 3-6; Slippery Rock 9-2

Numbers: The Bulls return four starters on the offensive line in Scott Evans, Jordan Maben, Cody Wagner and Jeff Arnold. ... They will block for a new QB, sophomore Angelo Reed, who replaces Russell Page. Last season, Page threw for 926 yards and eight TDs. ... The Rockets also will break in a new QB with junior Jake Whitmer under center. Last season, Whitmer caught five passes for 177 yards and two TDs as a wide receiver. ... Senior FB Frank Conlon is a big-play threat, averaging more than 11 yards per carry on the way to 897 yards and seven scores in just more than half a season in 2012.

Notes: Slippery Rock beat Brashear 32-26 last season. ... Brashear junior 6-2, 210-pound linebacker Diondre Faulk is already receiving Division I looks.

Knoch

at Greensburg Salem

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year: Knoch 7-3; Greensburg Salem 2-7

Numbers: Knoch will use two QBs, at least in the opener. Juniors Daniel Farinelli and Troy Hixson will both take snaps under center. Their career passing stats: 1-for-1 for 2 yards. “Both of them do some things really well,” said Knoch coach Mike King. “Both will see time and they both earned that.” ... The Lions are also uncertain about a starter, but are leaning toward senior Adam Indof. ... Dom McKinley, who rushed for 345 yards on 77 carries last season, will be the main ballcarrier for the Lions.

Notes: Dave Keefer took over the reigns of the Greensburg Salem program this spring from Casey Cavenaugh, whio resigned in March. ... Junior Cody Milsom will start at RB for Knoch with Cory Godlewski the starter at FB. ... The Knights downed the Lions 28-14 in last year's season-opener.

Sharpsville at Moniteau

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year: Sharpsville 11-2; Moniteau 1-8

Numbers: The Blue Devils are the two-time defending District 10 Class A champions, but lost nearly all of their firepower from last season. Sharpsville returns two starters on offense and four on defense. ... Tyler Wansack is the leading returning rusher with 69 on just six carries. ... The Blue Devils have won at least 10 games over the past four seasons. ... The Warriors return their top three rushers from last season in Dustin Geagan (973 yards, 11 TD), Trevor Shaffer (335 yards, TD) and Cody Skiver (157 yards).

Notes: Friday will mark the debut of Cecil Blauser as the Moniteau head coach after serving the school as an assistant for the previous 14 years. ... Sharpsville opened 2012 with a 35-0 victory over Moniteau.

Kittanning at Freeport

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Numbers: Freeport has to replace all but 175 yards of its offense from 2012. ... The Yellowjackets believe they have found the QB to replace Brendan Lynch, who accounted for 1,800 yards last season, in junior Andrew Romanchak. ... The RB situation for Freeport will be a committee led by senior Josh Brestensky and as many as six other backs. ... Kittanning will get back 6-foot-5 receiver Nick Bowers, who caught eight passes for 269 yards last season, but missed the last five games of the season with a concussion.

Notes: Freeport beat Kittanning 32-21 last season.

Grove City at Carrick

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last year: Grove City 9-2; Carrick 0-8

Numbers: The Eagles haven't lost a season-opener since 2004. That year, they lost the first two games, but rolled off 11 straight wins before losing in the state title game. ... GC RB Foster Reznor gained 940 yards from scrimmage last season and scored 104 points. ... Carrick has a new coach in Craig Aguglia, who spent the past 10 seasons as an assistant coach at Brashear.

Notes: Davon Cruse is back as Carrick's starting QB after being academically ineligible last season.

Summit Academy

at East Allegheny

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Last year: Summit Academy 2-7; East Allegheny 1-8

Numbers: East Allegheny QB Kyle Whipple completed 72-of-131 passes for 1,338 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions as a junior. ... The Wildcats graduated their top two receivers, Shawn Adair and K.J. Marshall, who combined for 959 yards and 11 TDs last year. ... Ja'Ron Hill-Phillips is one of two returning players for the Knights and is expected to be the starting quarterback.

Notes: East Allegheny's lone win last season came in a 29-12 victory over the Knights.