JACKSON TWP — Many variables found their way into the Seneca Valley football team's conference opener against North Allegheny.

The mercy-rule clock wasn't expected to be one of them.

The visiting Tigers jumped out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and withstood a second-quarter rally from the Raiders before running away with a 56-14 win.

Sophomore running back Alex Papson led the Tigers' charge, rushing for 215 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries.

"I thought we were prepared for this game," said Raiders coach Ron Butschle. "We didn't execute well, and I'll take the blame for that."

The Raiders went three-and-out on the first series of the game, which was played in a downpour.

The Tigers began their first drive at their own 47 and Papson went to work, going nearly untouched to the end zone from 53 yards out.

SV drove to NA's 28-yard line, but gave up the ball on downs.

Eight plays later, NA senior quarterback Mike Locke hit Wes Henderson with a 33-yard scoring pass for a 14-0 lead.

Papson added a 43-yard scoring run late in the first quarter.

Three of SV's four drives in the opening quarter ended in three-and-outs.

"It came down to NA's size, strength and speed," said Butschle. "We didn't match their intensity."

The Raiders did answer with two touchdowns in the second quarter — a two-yard scoring pass from C.J. Brown to Evan Hetzel and Brown's 13-yard run with 5:09 left in the first half.

But that was enough time for the Tigers to take control once again.

With the clock winding down before halftime, NA's Jared Congedo got the ball on two straight plays, the second of which went for a 24-yard scoring run.

After a Seneca Valley punt, Locke hooked up with Brian Austin for a 45-yard touchdown pass.

"Our third touchdown drive was big, not just because we scored, but because we scored on the ground," said Tigers coach Art Walker, Jr. "Then on the next touchdown, Seneca played man-to-man on the outside and we just had to take a shot."

Papson continued to rack up yards in the second half, scoring two more touchdowns from 13 and 14 yards out.

The latter brought the mercy-rule clock into affect with 11:09 left in the game.

"He's fast, but tonight he showed he can run inside the tackles, too," said Walker.

Brown ended the game completing 16 of 30 passes for 165 yards and the one touchdown pass.

Matt Plautz caught seven passes for 83 yards for the Raiders.

Locke completed 8-of-10 passes for 151 yards.

The Raiders (3-2, 0-1) play at North Hills next Friday.

"I told the players that we're going to come in, look at the film and forget about it," said Butschle.