JACKSON TWP — Back to work.

That's how the Seneca Valley football team has responded after the Raiders crushed visiting McKeesport last week 47-20.

One glance at SV's next opponent reveals why the Raiders didn't spend much time patting themselves on the back.

Defending WPIAL and PIAA champion North Allegheny will invade NexTier Stadium Friday night. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers (4-0, 2-0) have outscored their opponents 179-63 so far this year, most recently dismantling a strong McDowell team 49-14 last week, gaining 567 yards of offense in the process.

“We have the defending state champ coming into our stadium,” said Raiders coach Don Holl. “It's a great challenge for us and we're looking forward to it.

“It's NA,” Holl added. “If anything else needs to be said to our kids, they need to check their pulse.”

NA will bring a balanced offense into its showdown with the Raiders (3-1, 0-1).

Junior quarterback Mack Leftwich has thrown for 767 yards, seven touchdowns and just a pair of interceptions.

His top target, senior wideout Jimmy Kleinhampl, has pulled in 16 passes for 283 yards, an average of nearly 18 yards per reception.

Senior tailback Vinnie Congedo has accounted for 317 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Others contributing to the rushing attack include Alex DeCiantis, Isaiah Faulk and Leftwich, who have combined for 433 yards and seven touchdowns.

“We approach things on a week-to-week basis,” said NA coach Art Walker, Jr. “We want to improve every week and there has been improvement across the board since Week 1.”

But the Tigers will be facing an inspired Raiders defense, a unit that held a potent McKeesport squad scoreless in the first half of last week's game.

“We've got tough-minded kids,” said Holl. “They take it personally when teams make a big play against them.

“We talk about 11 as one,” he added. “Our guys are playing with energy and enthusiasm.”

SV's defensive line has been a big reason for the surge. The unit uses a combination of Matt Koerper, Nick Dahlstrom, Nate Piedimonte, David Hall and Matt Edmondson.

Edmondson, a 5-feet-9, 205-pound end, has proven especially disruptive.

“On a lot of teams, he would be the top running back,” said Holl, “but he's been unselfish enough to work hard on defense for us.”

NA's 4-4 defense has recorded 14 sacks, but the Raiders' offensive weapons will be the stiffest test faced by the Tigers through five games.

Halfback Forrest Barnes is averaging 192 yards from scrimmage per game to go along with eight total touchdowns.

Quarterback Jordan Brown could very well reach 1,000 yards passing for the season Friday night. He currently has 847 yards and eight touchdown passes.

Troy Witt, Oliver Philogene, Ryan Conn and Jonathan Dorogy, among others, have all turned in clutch plays on offense this season, mostly by catching passes.

“They have the ability to run 12 to 15 different screens, but can also push the ball vertically,” said Walker of SV's offense. “They present a great challenge to us.”

On paper, it seems to be an even matchup. But the recent meetings have been anything but even.

SV's last victory over North Allegheny was in 2002. Since then, the Tigers have taken eight straight meetings by an average score of 35-10.

The Tigers beat the Raiders last year 47-10.

“Points don't carry over from past years,” said Holl, “but I will say this: it is a section game and they are our neighbor, but itis not really a rivalry when one team is dominating like they have been.

“We'd like to get back to the mode where we can compete with the best of the best,” he added.