Don Holl

JACKSON TWP — What better way to kick off October football than with a grudge match?

Seneca Valley will make the short trip down Route 19 to battle North Allegheny in a Northern Six Conference clash at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Newman Stadium.

The Tigers (3-1) are coming off a 24-7 win at Penn Hills last week. NA also has defeated Altoona (53-0) and Mount Lebanon (28-7), while losing to Upper St. Clair (14-23) in Week 3.

The Tigers' offense has been centered around halfbacks Grant Huckestein and Alex Papson, both returning starters who have combined for 700 yards and 10 rushing scores this season.

In last week's victory, Huckestein rushed for 138 yards and all three of his team's touchdowns.

"With a new starter at quarterback (Justin Brozick), the ground game has been the focal point early in the season," said Tigers coach Art Walker Jr. "It's been good, but we want to take it to another level."

That next level might be difficult to reach, even for the Tigers.

Huckestein has totaled 364 yards on the ground in four games, while Papson has 336 yards.

Both backs have scored five rushing touchdowns and sport a 7.3 yards-per-carry average.

After working out some kinks in his team's rush defense, SV coach Don Holl is more confident entering conference action.

"We played well against Baldwin (a 22-7 win in Week 3) and they're a running team," Holl said. "I think we're in pretty good shape."

Walker is hoping for more consistent play from Brozick, a senior who replaced the graduated Mike Locke.

Brozick has completed 22 of 51 passes for 341 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.

"He's had a few interceptions and he's not happy with that," said Walker. "The passing game has to improve because there's going to be games where we have to throw the ball."

The Tigers have won the last six games in the series, which dates back to 1964, but Walker knows history has no bearing on the upcoming game.

"I'm definitely impressed with the way (SV's) defense gets after the ball," he said. "Their linebackers and safeties are very good, and up front, they get off the ball.

"On offense, they run the no huddle and shotgun, and have a lot of different movements."

One area where the Raiders have to improve is the kicking game.

In four games, SV has had four extra points either blocked or missed, including two misses last week in a 26-14 win at Knoch.

Holl knows that kicker Will Hugo is just one part of the equation.

"It's definitely a concern. Those points are big and we can't take it for granted," he said. "We need our long snapper, holder and kicker all to do their part."