JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley’s march to what it hopes is a visit to Heinz Field next month begins with a familiar postseason foe.

For the second straight season, the Raiders will face Hempfield in a WPIAL Class AAAA first-round football playoff. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at NexTier Stadium.

In last year’s meeting, the Raiders led 43-0 at halftime and went on to post a 50-20 victory. But, as Seneca coach Don Holl knows, the Spartans will have their biggest offensive threat this time around.

Running back Joey DeFloria (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) missed last year’s game with a shoulder injury. Now a senior, he has amassed 1,300 yards this season to go with a 7.3 yards-per-carry average and 15 touchdowns.

“They didn’t have all their guys last year,” Holl said of the Spartans (6-3). “They are now a year more experienced and any coach will tell you, that is golden.”

Another asset for Hempfield is senior quarterback Ty George, a two-year starter who has passed for 640 yards and rushed for 479 more.

The Raiders will bring their own playmakers into the clash, beginning with quarterback T.J. Holl. The junior’s numbers are impressive across the board, starting with 1,542 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air. But it is his running ability (690 yards, 13 scores) that has really caused problems for defenses this season.

Holl also starts on defense at safety, returns punts and has been asked to quick kick on fourth down multiple times this season.

“I was talking to (Bethel Park coach) Jeff Metheny before our game down there a couple of weeks ago,” said Coach Holl. “We were talking about what position T.J. would be good at in college. Could he be a quarterback, safety? Jeff looked at me and he said, ‘You know what he is? He’s a football player.’ That was a compliment that really jumped out at me.

“All I know is that he has made a lot of big plays for us this season,” added Coach Holl. “He’s a competitor and has become a better leader for us.”

The Raiders are hoping to get both slotback Dom DiTommaso and halfback Mason Dehart back this week. They missed last week’s 36-7 win over Fox Chapel with undisclosed injuries.

Junior wideout Eric Mrkonja leads the Raiders with 28 catches for 491 yards and five touchdowns.

Hempfield is under the direction of second-year coach Rich Bowen. The Spartans, who are coming off a 42-14 loss to Penn-Trafford, finished in fourth place in the Foothills Conference behind McKeesport, Gateway and the Warriors.

Bowen could not be reached for comment.