SHALER TWP — Jake Bunofsky wasn't deterred by the Seneca Valley football team's shaky start.

The Raiders' senior defensive back knew all they had to do was wait for their opportunity.

Bunofsky's chance came with 3 minutes, 14 seconds left in the first half, when he returned an interception 19 yards for a score. It was part of a 24-point second quarter that allowed Seneca Valley to stop a four-game losing streak with a 45-7 Northern Seven Conference road victory Friday night over Shaler.

“We were executing,” Bunofsky said. “We were doing what we wanted. We piled it down their throats with the run. We just needed to hold onto the ball. Eventually, when we did that, we punched it in.”

The Titans, who have lost 23 straight games, were generous in giving Seneca Valley second chances. The Titans (0-9, 0-7) turned the ball over four times — three fumbles and an interception — in the first half.

Seneca Valley turned those mistakes into 21 points.

Each team traded fumbles on their first three possessions before Saige Ley helped get the Raiders in striking distance. Ley set up the first Seneca Valley touchdown by returning a fumble 3 yards to the Shaler 8. Three players later, Noah Mancuso scored on a 1-yard run to put the Raiders ahead 7-0 with a little less than eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.

“We had to hang onto the football and execute,” Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle said. “We've had an issue with turnovers this year. Luckily, we were able to get a couple turnovers this week, too, which helped us.”

Mancuso, who led the team with 70 yards rushing, doubled the lead with a 1-yard scoring run in the second quarter. Then the defense struck again.

Gabe Lawson scored on a 9-yard run following a fumble recovery, then Jake Bunofsky returned an interception 19 yards for a score with 3:14 left before halftime to extend Seneca Valley's lead to 28-0.

A 35-yard field goal from Tanner Sherry finished off the second-quarter outburst.

“I was happy with how the guys came out and executed our game plan,” Butschle said. “We wanted to run the ball and throw in certain situations.”

Seneca Valley added another touchdown in the third quarter. Luke Smith caught a short out from Lawson and turned it into a 31-yard touchdown reception.

Meanwhile, the Titans couldn't get the ball past midfield. Having fullback Parker Kilgore banged up on the first play didn't help. Getting sacked three times and not being able to hold on to the ball compounded things.

All its issues resulted in Shaler gaining 143 yards of total offense.

Shaler scored its lone touchdown on a 1-yard run by Darin Mizgorski in the fourth quarter.

“We knew if we would have won the turnover battle it would have put us in a better position,” Titans coach Jim Ryan said. “We're not in a position yet to overcome those types of adversities.”

The Raiders have a chance at another win with a non-conference battle next Friday.

Bunofsky wants to finish with back-to-back wins.

“It's everything,” Bunofsky said. “We haven't lived up to our expectations as much as I think we should. But I love being out here with my brothers. We're going to make the most of it and go out there and win this last game.”

Seneca Valley 7 24 7 7 — 45

Shaler 0 0 0 7 — 7

First Quarter

SV — Noah Mancuso 1 run (Tanner Sherry kick), 7:43

Second Quarter

SV — Mancuso 1 run (Sherry kick), 6:44

SV — Gabe Lawson 9 run (Sherry kick), 4:46

SV — Jake Bunofsky 19 interception return (Sherry kick), 3:14

SV — Sherry 34 field goal, :14

Third Quarter

SV — Luke Smith 31 pass from Lawson (Sherry kick), 5:14

Fourth Quarter

S — Darin Mizgorski 1 run (Zach Ferianc kick), 8:30

SV — Mike Benesky 21 pass from Ty Gross (Seth Winters kick), 4:49

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Seneca Valley, Noah Mancuso 21-70, Gabe Lawson 7-69, Sage Ley 6-25, Ty Gross 3-5. Shaler, Joey Kremer 18-90, Darin Mizgorski 4-(-20)

Passing: Seneca Valley, Gabe Lawson 10-15-79-0, Ty Gross 1-2-21-0. Shaler Darin Mizgorski 4-12-33-1

Receiving: Seneca Valley, Luke Smith 3-49, Jake Bunofsky 4-35, Mike Benesky 1-21, Noah Mancuso 2-17, Jake Stebbins 1-11, Gabe Lawson 1-(-2). Shaler, Brian Colarusso 2-19, Joey Kremer 2-15