SV, Hempfield meet before stretch run
One team is looking to stay on an impressive roll while the other is aiming to get back on track — both before diving back into conference play.
That’s the gist of Seneca Valley’s trip to Hempfield Friday night.
Since dropping back-to-back games to Peters Township and Canon-McMillan last month, SV has reeled off three straight wins over Pine-Richland, Mt. Lebanon and Butler.
Hempfield, which dropped to Class 5A this year after going 2-8 as a 6A team in 2021, began the season with five straight wins, the program’s best start in decades. The Spartans ran into Gateway last week and suffered a 60-7 defeat.
“We were happy with where we were at before last week,” said second-year coach Mike Brown. “That game turned uglier than it actually was. I think our kids will respond well.”
Responding in very impressive fashion has been Seneca Valley’s defense. The unit gave up a plethora of big plays in those two earlier losses, but the Raiders have allowed a total of 16 points over the last three weeks, most recently a 42-7 win at Butler last week.
SV has forced 15 turnovers during its three-game winning streak.
“We moved some guys around on defense,” said SV coach Ron Butschle of the unit’s rebound. “Our guys were out there thinking too much and it was taking away some of their ability to make plays. We’ve simplified things and now they are focused on just going out and playing the game.”
Butschle said all three levels of his defense have improved, but it starts up front with defensive ends Aiden Lyczek and Lucas Lambert and tackles Logan Armstrong and Devin Webb.
“They’re leading the way,” said Butschle. “If the guys on the line are beating blocks, it allows the guys on the back end to make plays.”
This week, SV will encounter a very balanced offensive attack that is, according to Brown, very similar to SV’s up-tempo scheme. Hempfield quarterback Jake Phillips has passed for 1,171 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is also second on the team with 263 rushing yards and six scores.
“This is his second year as a starter and he’s understanding the offense more and trusting the scheme,” Brown said of Phillips. “Last year, he was skeptical of the reads, but has gotten more comfortable.”
Receiver Ian Tuffs (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) is the top target for Phillips with 20 catches worth 436yards and two TDs.
Running back Gino Caesar has rushed for 491 yards and 10 scores.
“He’s a very physical runner who can chip away at a defense,” Brown said. “We returned four of our five starters on the line from last year and they’re the anchor of the team.”
The Raiders and Spartans were conference opponents last year and SV dealt Hempfield a 49-0 loss.
“A lot of the same guys are back for them, but they’re a year better and more experienced,” Butschle said.
SV senior quarterback Graham Hancox has put up 1,146 passing yards, 10 TDs and five interceptions.
The team’s ground attack featured heavy doses of Wyatt Craver earlier in the season. Moving forward, however, opposing defenses may have to contend with Craver and Kai West. In last week’s win over Butler, the duo combined for 153 yards and four TDs on just 13 carries.
“Kai adds a different dimension and the ground game for us is turning into a mix of those two,” said Butschle.
Hempfield’s defense is led by senior linebacker Eli Binakonsky, who has 45 tackles and an interception.
“We’re excited to play Seneca Valley,” Brown said. “They are a very good team, one of the best we’ll play this season. We have three big conference games coming up and this game will get us ready for them.”
