JACKSON TWP — Facing a struggling team should have no influence on how much or how well a team prepares.

That's why Seneca Valley football coach Ron Butschle is banking on his players focusing not on the 0-4 record attached to Butler, but simply on what is at stake when the teams meet for a Quad County Conference game Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

The Golden Tornado (0-4, 0-2) have been outscored 207-41, including a 63-0 blanking at the hands of Pine-Richland last week.

“It's always a battle with Butler, that's what we tell the kids,” said Butschle. “They know the (teams') records, but they also know that we're playing for the Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy. It's a conference game and they understand the importance of that as far as making the playoffs and seeding.”

The Raiders have held the trophy for over a decade. Butler's last win in the series came in 2006.

Seneca Valley (3-1, 2-1) is coming off a 17-14 home win over Mt. Lebanon. Junior quarterback Gabe Lawson was held to 83 passing yards and no rushing yards, but threw for one touchdown and ran for another while Seth Winters booted a field goal in the third quarter to account for SV's points.

“We didn't play well the whole game, but we played well enough to make some big plays,” said Butschle. “It was a good win for the morale of the program. It had been a while since we were involved in a tight game like that and won. Hopefully, when the season is over, we can look back at that game and see it as a turning point.”

One player who is integral to the success of both the offense and defense is senior tight end/linebacker Jake Stebbins. He is a reliable target for Lawson, catching 12 passes for 188 yards this season while starting at middle linebacker on defense.

“Jake is very calm and level-headed,” Butschle said, “but he brings an intensity when he steps on the field. He was voted a team captain by his teammates and is a leader on the team.”

Stebbins is part of a linebacker corps that has made a big difference this season. The two starters on the outside are Saige Ley and Evan Smith. Jake Mineweaser has rotated in as well and has provided valuable depth.

“Our defense in general has been really good and the linebackers have stood out,” said Butschle. “We are a stop-the-run-first defense, but the great thing about our linebackers is they can cover and rush the passer, too. Saige did a tremendous job last week with pressuring the quarterback.”

That effort helped SV hold Mt. Lebanon quarterback Seth Morgan in check. He tallied just seven completions on 27 attempts for 91 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In his other three games this season, Morgan has passed for nearly 700 yards.

The Raiders defeated Butler last season, 35-0.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.