Seneca Valley expects to find success on the high school football field this fall.

A number of Seneca Valley graduates are seeking similar success on football fields across the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Place-kicker Will Hugo at Gannon and receiver Matt Plautz at Indiana (Pa.) are pushing for starting spots. Both are coming off injuries.

Outside linebacker Steve Swanson figures to see the field as a red-shirt freshman at Edinboro. Jeff Palmer may do likewise as a red-shirt freshman offfensive lineman at IUP.

First-year Gannon coach Brad Rzyczycki says the kicking job is an open competition for the Golden Knights despite the performance of incumbent Matt Szczupakowski a year ago. Now a senior, Szczupakowski succeeded on eight of 10 field goal attempts in 2011.

That set a Gannon record for single-season percentage.

“We can’t just overlook Hugo’s leg strength, though,” Rzyczycki said. “He has a very strong leg.

“He would have contended for our starting job last year, but he broke his foot and missed the season.”

Hugo owns Seneca Valley’s school record for longest field goal, drilling a 52-yarder. He’s kicked the four longest field goals in school history.

“Will will be given an opportunity to win the job in camp. Whoever wins it, wins it,” the coach said.

Plautz put together a stellar career as a receiver at SV. He went on to Monmouth University before transferring to IUP last year.

Now a red-shirt junior, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Plautz seems poised to crack the Crimson Hawks’ lineup.

“Just when he was coming on last year, a knee injury ended his season,” IUP coach Curt Cignetti said.

Plautz had five catches for 77 yards with IUP before the injury.

“Matt is back with our wide receiver corps and he’s good to go,” Cignetti said. “He is a big target with good hands. If he stays healthy, I imagine he’ll see a lot of time for us.”

Fellow Raider graduate Palmer, a transfer from Akron, is 6-1, 273 pounds and is battling for time as well.

“He’s doing a nice job and has a chance to climb the depth chart,” Cignetti said.

Swanson is listed No. 2 at Sam linebacker on the Edinboro depth chart, behind sophomore starter Jimmy Grove.

Before red-shirting with the Fighting Scots last year, Swanson had 20 tackles for loss and set the SV single-season quarterback sack record with 13 during his senior year.

“Steve is a competitive kid who is battling for time,” Edinboro coach Scott Browning said. “We love his aggressiveness. He’s a tough kid who will find a way to help us.

“We’re going to have him as a linebacker for four years. He’s going to make an impact.

Former SV quarterback Donny Holl hopes to make an impact at Mercyhurst, but may have to wait his turn.

Anthony Vendemia, a junior from Franklin Regional, returns as the starter for the Lakers. Holl is one of four other quarterbacks on the roster and is coming off a knee problem.

“Donny missed all of last fall, but came back to spring ball and did well,” Mercyhurst coach Marty Schaetzle said. “He shows good athleticism and he’s a heady kid. He just has some catching up to do.

“Being the son of a coach (SV coach Don Holl) isn’t always a good thing, but it is in his case. That kid is always asking questions, always studying film. He wants to learn.”

Two former Mars offensive linemen — red-shirt freshman center Cameron Cress and twin brother Shane at guard — will likely get on the field at Clarion.

Both stand 6-3, through Shane weighs 280 pounds and Cameron tips the scales at 250.

“Shane is a little bit farther ahead because of his size,” Clarion coach Jay Foster said. “But both of those guys looked good in spring ball. They’re determined to get on the field and I think they will.”

Butler graduate Dylan O’Donnell is a red-shirt sophomore offensive lineman at IUP and Moniteau grad Kyle Armagost is a true freshman at strong safety for Clarion.

The PSAC opens the 2012 season Aug. 30. California (Pa.) and Indiana are co-favorites to win the West Division.