Seneca Valley's Matt Plautz tries to escape from Knoch's Kyle Hilliard last Friday after making one of nine pass receptions that helped the senior set the Raiders' record for career receptions with 84.

JACKSON TWP — Setting the bar high is one thing, but Matt Plautz just might put it out of reach.

The Seneca Valley senior wide receiver caught nine passes in last week's win over Knoch, giving him 84 receptions in his varsity career and breaking the team record of 83 previously held by Zach Duggan, who played from 2003-05.

"I knew that Zach had a lot of catches, but I didn't know what the record was," said Plautz. "I didn't know they kept stats that efficiently."

Plautz has been more than efficient this season.

After catching a school single-season record 51 passes for 664 yards and six touchdowns as a junior in 2007, he has 33 receptions for 563 yards and five scores through four games this season.

"Last year, I was just getting into the groove of being a wide receiver," said Plautz. "This year, my hands have improved and I'm making things happen after the catch. I can run a simple slant route and turn it into a 50-yard gain."

Raiders head coach Ron Butschle has noticed another improvement in Plautz's play.

"He's also blocking well and being part of the offense even when he's not getting the ball," said Butschle. "We emphasize that as much as catching the ball, and Matt's taking pride in that."

Not only are the Raiders piling up yards and points every game, they are making it even more difficult on opponents by running a no-huddle offense.

Quarterback C.J. Brown is rarely seen under center and usually has four wide receivers to pick from on a given play.

"The reason it's working is because defenses don't have time to see what sets we're getting into, and they aren't getting their blitzes called in time," said Plautz.

But Raiders wide receivers coach Lance Erdos said Plautz could excel in any offense.

"The kid is an athlete," Erdos said. "If we ran a two tight end offense, he could play there, too. He's definitely taken his game to another level."

Aside from its on-field dominance, much of the offense's success is due to the players' commitment off the field.

"We probably condition better than any team in the conference and possibly the WPIAL," said Plautz. "I know I'm in the best shape I've ever been."

Plautz's play has caught the attention of more than a few colleges, including Illinois, Virginia, Pitt, Miami (Ohio), Syracuse, Northwestern, Temple, Bowling Green, Akron and Richmond.

"Virginia and Illinois both said they'd like to make me a tight end," he said. "All of the others said that I'd stay at wide receiver."