Art Walker, Jr. and Ron Butschle are both coaching struggling football teams this season.

Butschle is hoping he has something else in common with North Allegheny's coach after Friday night - a conference win.

The two teams will face off at NA's Newman Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers (2-4, 1-3) entered last week's Quad North battle with Butler having lost their first three conference games.

They came out of it with a 27-24, double-overtime win.

North Allegheny's conference losses came against Mt. Lebanon (27-7), Bethel Park (35-21) and Upper St. Clair (42-10).

"In the first three games, I can't say that our kids were playing tight," said Walker. "We just went up against some good football teams and learned a lot from those losses. But last week's win was a big one for us."

The Raiders are hoping to snap a 17-game losing streak in Quad North play.

The team's last conference win came in the final regular season game of 2002 against Butler.

The latest loss was a 49-14 defeat at the hands of Shaler last week.

The Titans blew the game open early, leading 28-0 early in the second quarter.

"We haven't won a conference game since I've been here," said Butschle. "But the kids want to win. They're certainly not trying to make mistakes out there.

"We're not that far away from being a good football team," Butschle added. "We just need to forget about last week and refocus."

SV quarterback Kevan Smith has thrown for 888 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Based on North Allegheny's pass defense up to this point, Smith should have ample opportunities to pad those statistics.

Butler quarterback Nick Monteleone shredded the Tigers' defense last week for 270 yards through the air.

"Butler did very well throwing the ball against us," said Walker. "It's something we have to work on because we know Seneca Valley is going to throw a lot."

SV receivers Zach Duggan and Kevin Mayberry have combined for 35 receptions worth 595 yards and three touchdowns.

North Allegheny's offense is centered around running back/wide receiver Billy Knight, who has 246 yards rushing and 347 on the receiving end.

The senior has scored a total of six touchdowns this season (three rushing and three receiving).

"Billy is a guy we move around a lot," said Walker. "He's got the best hands on the team and we have to find ways to get him the ball."

Seneca Valley (1-5, 0-4) still is alive for a WPIAL Quad A playoff berth.

Its other remaining Quad North games include Upper St. Clair (Oct. 14) and Butler (Oct. 21).

"If we were to make the playoffs, we would probably be the 16th seed," said Butschle. "But at least it would be a step forward for our program."

North Allegheny has won the last two games against the Raiders, including last year's 42-14 decision.