JACKSON TWP — How will the Seneca Valley football team follow up its first playoff appearance in five years?

The Raiders will begin to answer that question on the road at 7:30 p.m. Friday, when, for the third straight year, they open the season against Norwin.

The Knights, who compete in the Foothills Conference, also made the playoffs last year.

While the Raiders lost to Bethel Park in the first round last November, Norwin fell to McKeesport in the WPIAL Quad A quarterfinals.

Both teams have returning leaders at quarterback: SV's C.J. Brown and Norwin's Alex Dennison.

The latter amassed 981 yards through the air as a junior to go along with 14 touchdowns in the regular season.

"He's one of the best athletes on the team," said Knights coach Dan Conwell of Dennison, who enters his second year as a starter. "He's a three-sport athlete (basketball, volleyball), and that's rare any more."

The Knights run a pro-style offense, with an emphasis on the I-formation.

This time last year, Brown was on the verge of making his first varsity start.

The senior is now a confident leader with big-play capability.

"He's looked good in camp," said SV coach Ron Butschle. "He has good command of our offense, making checks and audibles at the line.

"We're lucky to have someone who enables us to do things like that."

When asked his opinion of the Raiders' offense, Conwell replied, "Scary. They can move the ball down field in a hurry. And we're pretty green on defense."

SV senior Tyler Mack will be the tailback while junior Randy Morris will line up at fullback, though he could be asked to perform H-back duties as well.

The Raiders' offensive line has just one returning starter in senior left tackle Mike DeFilippo, but Butschle has decided on his linemates.

They include Chris Calhoun at center, Andy Berkebile at left guard, Jordan Williams at right guard, Marshall Campbell at right tackle and a combination of Cameron Marburger and Andrew Smith at tight end.

"I think (the line) has done a good job in camp," said Butschle. "We've been able to pass well and run the ball well. But we're nowhere near where we need to be to contend for a playoff spot."

The good news for the Raiders is that their first Northern Five Conference game isn't until the last Friday in September against North Allegheny.

The Raiders lost last year's game with Norwin, 27-7, after winning the 2006 opener by a score of 21-17.

"Every year we've played them, they've been a tough team," said Butschle.

Seneca Valley is 21-22-1 all-time in season openers, including 1-3 under Butschle.