JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley football team is in the playoffs and Bethel Park is on the Raiders' schedule.

No, it's not 2002.

The Raiders will host the Black Hawks in a WPIAL Quad A first-round affair at 7:30 p.m. Friday at NexTier Stadium.

The teams were in the same conference from 2000-05.

"We used to play those guys every year," said Bethel Park coach Jeff Metheny. "I'm impressed with Coach (Ron) Butschle, his staff and what they're trying to do up there."

Bethel Park (6-3, 3-2) is now in the Great Southern Conference, where the team placed second behind McKeesport.

The Black Hawks' three losses came to North Allegheny, McKeesport and Upper St. Clair, all playoff teams with a combined record of 23-4.

The Black Hawks qualified for the playoffs last season, but were quickly ousted by Woodland Hills. In 10 games, Bethel Park gave up an average of 28.6 points per contest in 2006.

This season, the team is surrendering 14.1 points per game.

"Our defense has really improved since last year," Metheny said. "Our guys up front have responded. But Seneca Valley is playing well, their quarterback and running back."

That running back is James Daniels, who seems to be hitting his stride.

In last week's 27-13 win over Butler, Daniels gained 119 yards on 25 carries and scored all three of the Raiders' touchdowns. For the season, he has 526 yards and seven touchdowns.

"I think part of it is due to him being more healthy now than he was back in August," said Butschle. "But I also think he's matured as a player and a leader. He approaches the practices and games very businesslike."

Quarterback C.J. Brown has thrown for 1,346 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Over the last two games, Brown has completed 14-of-40 passes for 192 yards, no scores and three interceptions.

But both games also resulted in SV wins.

"I can tell you that C.J. doesn't care about passing stats," said Butschle. "All he cares about is whether we win or lose. His goal is to work within the framework of our game plan.

"His passing efficiency has helped us all year."

Bethel Park's offense is led by junior quarterback Erik Olson, who has thrown for 1,186 yards and nine touchdowns.

His prime targets are junior wideout John Schademan (5-feet-11, 178 pounds) and junior tailback Lyle Marsh (6-1, 215).

Marsh and senior Rob Wolford (5-10, 175), who gained 142 yards and scored twice in last week's 28-13 win over Baldwin, will share the duties in the ground game.

Both team's have confidence in their respective placekickers.

Seneca Valley's Ryan Zipf has made good on 10 field goals this season, from an average distance of 32 yards.

Bethel Park's Ethan Talbot has kicked eight field goals.

Seneca Valley last met Bethel Park in 2005, with the Black Hawks prevailing 42-14.

This will be SV's first home playoff game since the Raiders defeated Mount Lebanon 27-10 on Nov. 7, 1997.