You can't blame the Seneca Valley football team for wanting Friday night to get here as soon as possible.

Last week, the Raiders recorded the program's first win in September in three years.

Seneca Valley trailed Kiski Area 21-6 at home last week before a staunch defense sparked a 26-21 comeback win.

Team members are eager to build on that momentum.

"It's been a shot of energy for us," said Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle. "The fact that we beat a team that beat us badly last year and we had to come back to do it, it has given us a lot of confidence."

Friday would be a perfect time for the Raiders (1-1) to keep a good thing going, as they open Quad North play at Bethel Park.

The Black Hawks (2-0) are coming off a comeback win of their own. After trailing Penn-Trafford 14-0 in the first half, Bethel Park rebounded to take a 28-27 victory.

"It helps a team to play close games," said Bethel Park coach Jeff Metheny. "We learned a lot about our kids in the Penn-Trafford game."

A lot of attention surrounded Seneca Valley's passing game entering this season, after senior quarterback Kevan Smith committed to the University of Pittsburgh this summer.

Smith has performed well, throwing for 335 yards in two games.

But the running game, led by senior tailback Pat Prazer, has been just as effective.

On his 44 carries, Prazer has gained 214 yards and has scored three times.

"Pat's a very unassuming kid," said Butschle. "But I'm not surprised at all at his performance. He had a great game against North Allegheny last season, but then he went down with an ankle injury."

Senior Lee Layton has done well in a supporting role, carrying the ball 12 times for 76 yards.

The Black Hawks have several offensive weapons of their own, starting with running back Justin Pratt.

The

junior

already has five rushing touchdowns and ran for 178 yards in a 35-13 win over Norwin two weeks ago.

"(Pratt) is a big, strong kid," Metheny said. "He's a north-south runner, really good in between the tackles."

That means Seneca Valley's defensive line, which consists of tackles Phil Mignanelli and

Mike

Shipley and ends

John

Russell and Don Barclay, will have its hands full.

"Bethel Park is going to try to run the ball and control the line of scrimmage," said Butschle. "We talked about the Notre Dame-Pitt game with our kids because it showed how line play can be the difference in a game."

Bethel Park also has a quarterback capable of big plays. Junior Jeff Stewart has thrown a scoring pass in both of his team's contests.

"Jeff's an outstanding athlete," said Metheny. "He's able to make plays both running and passing.

"Last week our offense proved it can make plays late to win a game," he added.