JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley football program is coming off its best two-year stretch in its 49-year history.

But Coach Don Holl’s message to his current squad is simple: It’s time to turn the page.

The Raiders compiled an 18-5 record over the last two campaigns, including a trip to the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals a year ago. But many key components were lost to graduation, including the school’s all-time leading passer, Jordan Brown, and all-time leading rusher, Forrest Barnes, among others.

“I know it sounds like coach-speak, but you have to live in the present,” said Holl. “We are going to put together the group of players that gives us the best chance to win football games.”

“The guys we have back this year are ready to prove that it wasn’t just that senior class last season,” said junior T.J. Holl, who returns to start at free safety and will play either quarterback or receiver on offense. “We’ve had an awesome camp.”

Battling T.J. Holl for the right to call signals is senior Mike Jones, who served as Brown’s backup last season, completing 10-of-16 passes for 220 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception.

Holl spent most of his time on offense in 2012 as a receiver. He grabbed nine passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns.

“Mike has more experience at the quarterback position,” said Coach Holl. “He has a sense of maturity.

“On the other hand, T.J. made more plays last season, albeit not as a quarterback,” he added. “No matter which direction we decide to go in, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

Junior halfback Mason Dehart is the team’s top returnrusher with just 93 yards, though he will receive a lot of carries this season. Also looking to make an impression at the position is junior Sam Henson, who was lost in late September 2012 with a leg injury.

Coach Holl has high hopes for the backfield duo.

“Both of those guys could have started on a lot of teams last season,” he said.

The positions of tight end (Brandan Clough, Mike Smith and Tucker Van Dyke), wide receiver (Eric Mrkonja, Max Cicero, Drew Lewis and Cody Boozel) and slot receiver (Dom DiTommaso, Brad Hensler and Corbin Kessler) include talent, but also inexperience.

SV’s lone returning offensive starters are up front in tackles Tyler Hudanick (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) and Dan Miller (6-2, 250).

“Those guys take a lot of pride in what they do,” said Coach Holl. “It’s unsung work, a lot of lunch-pail stuff.”

Hudanick will switch from the right side to the left this year.

“It’s basically the same footwork on either side, except that I’ll be dropping with the other foot,” Hudanick said. “I’ll be protecting the quarterback’s blind side, so it’s a pretty big responsibility.

“We have a lot of young guys on the line and they just need to step up.”

The Raiders’ defense is not as green with five returning starters — Van Dyke and Dehart at linebacker, Miller and Steven Gaviglia at tackle and Holl in the secondary.

Gaviglia (6-2, 265) is the team’s top returning tackler with 35 stops a year ago, 17 of them going for a loss.

“On defense, it starts with stopping the run,” Coach Holl said. “We have the personnel to do that.”

The Raiders return a strong kicking game with senior Michael Denny and junior Chad Izenas. Last year, the latter handled most extra points and field goals while Denny kicked off.

“He (Denny) will be doing the punting this year as well,” said Holl. “It’s nice to know that we have two capable guys in the kicking game.”