JACKSON TWP — Points were a problem for the Seneca Valley football team last season.

There weren’t enough of them.

The Raiders are coming off a 3-7 season. Though they qualified for the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, they averaged only 15 points per game and failed to score more than 14 points in any of their losses.

But Seneca Valley returns 15 starters under first-year coach Don Barclay, a former NFL offensive lineman who previously coached SV’s linemen before joining Pine-Richland’s staff last season.

“We’re going to spread out more offensively, go to a zone scheme,” Barclay said. “We’re going to take advantage of that experience.”

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The Raiders are transitioning in a lot of ways, and the difference should be noticeable early — because that transition started early.

Donny Holl is the new offensive coordinator, and Rob Densmore is the new defensive coordinator. Along with spreading the offense out more, SV will incorporate a 4-4 defensive look, a change from previous seasons under former coach Ron Butschle.

“Those two guys have been on board and have been working with the kids since February,” Barclay said. “We’ve all been on the same page for a few months now. That’s going to make a difference.”

Holl is a former Raider quarterback who served on his father’s staff at Gateway. Densmore, a former Butler head coach, was defensive coordinator at Pine-Richland during much of that program’s success.

“Donny and Rob come from winning programs. They know what it takes to be successful,” Barclay said.

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The two youth football programs in the Seneca Valley district — Seneca Valley North Football and Cheer and Cranberry Football and Cheer — have merged to form the SV Youth Football and Cheer Association.

“An important step,” he said. “The players will be working under the same system all the way up.”

Special teams coach Nate Sannes, a former NCAA Division II quarterback from Minnesota, adds to that mix. He is working with players throughout the system.

Senior middle linebacker/running back Cayden Parker can see the difference.

“I love the atmosphere here,” Parker said. “All of the changes have been positive. We’ve been chasing the WPIAL title for a long time. That’s where we want to be, and this coaching staff can help get us there.

“We’re going to be more physical, which is the way we have to play.”

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1. Getting physically stronger: Barclay knows all about the strength of WPIAL 6A football and is preparing his team to meet that physical challenge.

Ben Cary, a strength and conditioning coach at Penn State for four years, now holds that position at Seneca Valley.

“What a difference he’s made already,” Barclay said. “Going up against teams like North Allegheny and Central Catholic ... they tend to wear opponents down. Playing 6A football is a grind, and we’re preparing for that.

“Guys have been in the weight room lifting at 5:45 a.m. for months now. That’s been a mental test for them as well.”

Tommy Wuycheck, a third-year starting lineman on both sides of the ball, has noticed a difference.

“I’ve never been in better condition,” he said. “We’re going to be so much physically stronger as a team, with more discipline, too. We can’t wait to get started.”

2. Offensive firepower: Andrew Loebig threw for 646 yards and seven touchdowns last season, getting picked only three times. But he threw only 102 passes, an average of 10 per game.

“We’re going to have much more balance this year,” Wuycheck said.

Running backs Parker and Chase Mazanek combined to catch 16 passes out of the backfield last season. They rushed for 532 and 584 yards a year ago, averaging 4.8 and 5.2 yards per carry, respectively.

Tight end Adam Gehm, a Vanderbilt recruit, figures to be more effective with a more open attack. He caught 10 passes last season. Danny Drennan averaged 21.3 yards on six receptions last year.

“We have good skilled players and having a returning quarterback always helps,” Barclay said.

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3. Impact players: The Raiders have plenty. Gehm is headed to Vanderbilt. Parker is being recruited by Buffalo, James Madison, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo as a middle linebacker. Wuycheck is looking at California (Pa.), Slippery Rock, Washington & Jefferson and Grove City, among others.

Jackson Matthews at linebacker, Kyle Mancing at tight end and defensive back, and safety Rory O’Shea are among other players worth watching.

“Rory’s a sophomore, a young kid who hits hard and just loves the game,” Barclay said. “He’ll definitely make an impact for us.”

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