High Stakes
This is one in a series of articles previewing Butler County high school football matchups this FridayIn a year in which nothing seems set in stone, Bob Palko is leaving nothing to chance.His Mt. Lebanon football team (3-2) travels to Seneca Valley (4-1) Friday for a game Palko is considering a must-win.“I think they're taking the top four (from the Quad County Conference) to the playoffs,” said Palko. “North Allegheny (4-0) and Seneca Valley should already be in. But if we lose this game, depending on what happens with other games, we could be out.“We need to win, that's how I'm looking at it.”Central Catholic (3-2) and Canon-McMillan (2-3) also figure into the postseason scenario.Seneca Valley had its season opener against North Allegheny canceled. Injuries to running back Ethan West and quarterback Dustin Horn dealt major blows to a potent offense.Yet here the Raiders are, one win from entering the playoffs on a three-game winning streak and a home game to begin the postseason.But it won't be easy.The Blue Devils have won two straight, topping Central 37-30 before a lopsided 48-14 victory over Norwin last week.One of Mt. Lebanon's losses came against North Allegheny Oct. 2 when the Tigers prevailed in a tight game, 14-11.“Our offensive line and backs have done a good job in pass protection this season,” said Raiders' coach Ron Butschle. “But it will be a challenge against Lebo because they bring guys at you from all over the place.”Junior quarterback Brian Olan played well in his first career start, passing for 275 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Canon-McMillan two weeks ago.Last Saturday's 19-16 overtime win against Baldwin proved more challenging, however, as Olan was held to 75 yards through the air and was intercepted three times.“As the offensive coordinator, I need to make sure he's in a position to make plays and that comes from understanding his talents and limitations,” said Butschle. “I think the Canon-Mac game was a sample of what Brian can do and maybe we stretched a little too far with what we did against Baldwin.”Defensively, much of Seneca Valley's focus will be on Mt. Lebanon quarterback Joey Daniels, who has thrown for over 800 yards and 14 touchdowns.“He's a student of the game,” said Palko of Daniels, a junior who passed for 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2019. “He loves football — eats, drinks and sleeps it. It's neat to coach a kid with that kind of care-factor.”“Lebo's offense gives you a lot of different things to look at,” said Butschle. “From multiple formations to different personnel, they try to catch you off-guard.“We've watched a lot of film, though, and we think we have a handle on it.”The Blue Devil offense will have to contend with Raiders' defensive end Josh Miller, who had 4½ sacks last week.“Josh is a leader by example, from the weight room to the practice field,” said Butschle. “He has the same motor that his older brother Gabe (now at California University) has and that's what makes him so good. He's relentless.”Mt. Lebanon defeated Seneca Valley twice last season, 26-20 in the regular season and 35-14 in the playoffs.
