JACKSON TWP — A positive start to the season — Peters Township's football team already has it while Seneca Valley will look to earn one Friday night.

The Raiders will open the 2016 campaign at home against the Indians, who defeated Chartiers Valley last week 21-13.

Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at NexTier Stadium.

The Indians, who went a combined 4-14 the last two seasons, received scoring runs of 20 and nine yards from running back T.J. Kpan last week. Quarterback Jake Cortes turned in a solid season as a sophomore last year, passing for 1,254 yards and seven scores.

“They played a good football game last week,” SV coach Dave Vestal said of the Indians. “They also looked good in a scrimmage against Upper St. Clair.

“They have some kids who can stretch the field and they can run or pass out of a lot of formations. You have to be really disciplined on defense because of that.”

Instead of playing an actual game last week, SV scrimmaged Blackhawk. The Raiders also practiced against New Castle two weeks ago.

“The scrimmages weren't perfect, but that's why you have them,” said Vestal. “We were pretty banged up going into the Blackhawk scrimmage. One good thing is that we were able to play a lot of kids. We now have film on them and can evaluate their play.”

One of the Raiders' goals early in the season will be to establish reliable targets for senior quarterback Jack Cook.

Receiver Payton Skalos grabbed four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in 2015. He is SV's top returning receiver.

“(Wide receiver) Parker Smith had two touchdowns last week against Blackhawk,” said Vestal. “Jake Bunofsky, Walik Shebazz and Luke Smith are other guys who will get a shot. We are also expecting tight ends Jake Holl and Jake Stebbins to contribute in the passing game.”

The Raiders will look to junior Gabe Miller to lead the defense. He is making the move from defensive end to inside linebacker.

“He played linebacker in ninth grade and in junior high,” said Vestal. “There are kids who play football and then there are football players. Gabe is a football player. You can plug him in anywhere because he just has a nose for the football. He's one of the emotional leaders on the team and we're excited to see what he can do for us.”

Several members of SV's boys soccer team tried out to be the Raiders' kicker. Senior Dylan Good and junior Tanner Sherry could both see time at that position.

First-year Peters Township coach T.J. Plack could not be reached for comment.