JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley’s football team made the WPIAL playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history in 2011-12, but the Raiders don’t want to stop there.

With that in mind, the team will send a group of its skill players to the National Select 7-on-7 Tournament, to be held in Hoover, Alabama, July 25-26.

“Central Valley went to this tournament last year and I know Woodland Hills and Thomas Jefferson have gone in years past,” said Raiders’ coach Don Holl. “From everything I have heard, it’s run really well. We’ll probably get to play eight or nine games. There will be teams from all over the country and it’s a great opportunity for our kids to get experience against quality competition.”

The Raiders will be represented by between 20-25 players comprised of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends on offense and linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties on defense.

A portion of SV’s squad took part in a similar event earlier this month at the University of Virginia.

“Our performance was partly cloudy,” Holl said. “We defeated the team that ended up winning it all. They were from the Virginia Beach area. We were placed in a very tough bracket and lost two games in overtime, but at this time of the year, I’d rather face good competition and get beat than face bad teams and win.”

“I struggled at the start,” said senior quarterback Mike Jones of his performance in Virginia. “But the last few games we played, I improved and started to complete a lot of passes.

“Overall, I think we did well.”

Those taking part in 7-on-7 events treat it seriously and play to win.

“Every game, players from the other team like to get up in your face,” said senior Brandon Clough, a tight end/linebacker who competed in Virginia. “You just have to block it out and do your job.”

Holl and the Raiders received an invitation in early June to the upcoming event in Alabama, which will include a total of 32 teams.

In past years, SV has taken part in 7-on-7 events at Notre Dame, the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland.

“The rules differ a bit from tournament to tournament,” said Holl, “but it all starts with pool play and every play must result in some type of pass because you can’t run the ball. On offense, you usually start at the opponent’s 40-yard line. From there, you have four downs to get to the 20 and then four downs to score. Games last between 20 and 25 minutes. Tackling is not allowed, it’s basically a game of two-hand touch.”

Each player wears a helmet, a jersey and shorts, but no pads.

Aside from the competition, SV’s players will make a stop at the home of the defending NCAA Division I national champions in nearby Tuscaloosa.

“The day before we start playing, we are going to visit the University of Alabama,” said Holl. “The kids will get a chance to see the campus and meet Coach (Nick) Saban.”

Holl is hoping that his team takes advantage of this summer’s 7-on-7 action.

“I don’t know if it can be proven that if you win in 7-on-7, you’ll end up winning in the fall,” he said. “But once August rolls around, the time to get ready is definitely finite. You have to do what you can during the summer. I also think there is a value to being together as a team on trips like this.”

The Raiders graduated a bevy of talented skill players from last year’s 10-2 squad, but senior halfback Dom DiTommaso, who will compete in Alabama, believes 2013 could be a special season in its own right.

“I think we’re going to be well-prepared,” he said. “We have to go out and show our fans what we can do.”

Any business or individual who would like to make a donation to help fund SV’s trip to Alabama can call Holl at 814-460-9444.