A team can only take so much from moral victories. Such was the case last week when Seneca Valley dropped a hard-fought, 20-14 decision to perennial WPIAL power Central Catholic.

The Raiders (1-1, 0-1) now want to get back to winning on the scoreboard. Their first opportunity comes Friday when they face Canon-McMillan at NexTier Stadium.

Who will be starting at quarterback for the Raiders remains a question mark. Junior Gabe Lawson suffered an undisclosed injury in a victory over McDowell August 24. He was ruled out of the Central Catholic game last Thursday. Fellow junior Caden Smithco stepped in and played a very efficient game against a stingy Central defense — 128 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“None of the playbook was cut out because Caden was starting,” said SV coach Ron Butschle. “For his first career start, I was more than impressed. He's obviously a capable athlete and he's scrappy. He'll play until one of his limbs falls off.

“Gabe is getting better,” added Butschle. “Whether or not he plays will probably be a game-day decision.”

The Raiders' offensive line receives a boost this week with the return of 6-foot-5, 275-pound junior left tackle Kevin Meeder, who missed the first two games with an ankle injury. He joins David Tkatch (left guard), Josh Kaltenberger (center), Drew Robertson (right guard) and Marcus Might (right tackle) as the starting five. The group averages 6-4, 275 pounds.

“I'm hard on them in practice,” Butschle said of his line. “I don't think they realize how good they can be. They are getting better, but they've just scratched the surface of their potential.”

As much talent as there is on SV's offense, Canon-McMillan coach Mike Evans lauded the Raider defense.

“They are a very good football team,” he said. “I know coaches say that about a lot of teams, but with the zone fire pressure and disguising of coverages that Seneca does, you rarely see high school defenses do that.”

It will be up to junior quarterback Jon Quinque to decipher SV's plan. The 5-foot-10 lefthander threw for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in last week's 43-29 loss to Mt. Lebanon. That contest was knotted 7-7 at halftime.

“In the second half, Jon played one of the most efficient halves of football I've ever seen out of a quarterback,” said Evans. “I'll go to my grave believing we should have won that game. Our defense broke down in the third quarter and we let it slip away.”

The Big Macs (0-1) have failed to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs nine straight seasons.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.