Seneca Valley gridders keep positive attitude
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley’s football team may feel a bit out of place with an 0-5 won-loss record.
But the Raiders’ attitude is right where it should be.
“Nobody’s given up. Nobody’s mailing it in,” SV coach Ron Butschle said. “In fact, Monday’s practice might have been the best practice we’ve had all season.”
The Raiders will try to grab their first win on Friday when rival Butler (2-3) comes to NexTier Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Seneca Valley has defeated the Golden Tornado 14 consecutive times — including a 42-7 decision last year.
The winner of the Butler-Seneca Valley game is presented with the Eagle Traveling Trophy on the field after the game. Butler has not won the trophy since 2006. The teams did not play each other in 2020 or 2021.
“You always want to be playing for something,” Butschle said. “We take things day by day. That trophy means a lot to our kids and to our program.
“We know how badly Butler wants it and how much we want to keep it. Getting the trophy after the game would be a big moment for our kids. Butler already has two of what we don’t have — a win.”
The Raiders have scored only 34 total points in their past four games.
“We’re a young team and we’re still growing, still learning, ” Butschle said. “We blocked a punt late against Mt. Lebanon last week and didn’t get the ball in a strange play. That kind of stuff happens to you when you’re struggling.”
Sean O’ Shea threw for 121 yards last week and has 529 yards through the air this season. He’s rushed for 255 yards as well.
Butschle credits O’Shea and the Raiders’ other captains for providing the necessary leadership to keep the team upbeat despite its losing streak.
“They’ve been outstanding,” the coach said. “Anyone who wanted to be in the running to be a captain this year had to go through a 10-week leadership course with the coaches. I learned about that from (Grove City coach) Sam Mowry and I love it.
“We’ll do that with our kids every year now. The team votes for its captains, but if you want to be considered, you have to take that course.”
O’Shea, Kai West, Roman Royal and Cenzo DiTullio are SV’s captains this season.
Butschle pointed to a number of players on defense as anchors on that side of that ball. Sophomore outside linebacker-defensive end Cayden Parker, junior defensive back Jayden Price and sophomore lineman Tommy Wuycheck lead that group.
“Everybody’s playing hard,” the coach said. “These kids deserve a positive result on the football field. Hopefully, we’ll get that on Friday.
“Butler is our natural rival. It’s the school we play that’s closest to us. There’s a lot of pride in this game by both teams.”
Butschle lauded the job being done by Tornado head coach Eric Christy and his staff.
“They’ve made great strides there,” Butschle said of Butler. “Braylon Littlejohn is one of the best athletes in the region, they’ve got a lot of speed, they play hard and with a lot of heart.
“We’re expecting a very good game.”
