Crunch Time
Five straight wins by an average margin of 26 points.
That’s the full head of steam Seneca Valley carries into Friday’s Tri-County Five Conference meeting at home against Central Catholic.
It’s been nearly four weeks since the Raiders (6-2, 1-1) have played a conference game — they defeated Mt. Lebanon, 24-6, Sept. 23. The winner of Friday’s contest will clinch a WPIAL Class 6A playoff berth.
“After our loss to Canon-McMillan (in Week 3), we’ve seen the team make a steady climb and that’s what you’re looking for,” said Raiders’ coach Ron Butschle. “We’re still not playing our best, but we’re playing well. The kids are confident in themselves and in the scheme.”
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ season has been a roller coaster ride, most recently yielding a thrilling and improbable 33-28 victory at Penn Hills last week.
Trailing 28-27 in the waning seconds of the game, Central lined up to attempt a 49-yard field goal. The Indians blocked the attempt and started to celebrate, but the ball did not go past the line of scrimmage and lineman Anthony Shovlin scooped it up and ran it in for a touchdown.
“I’ve never been part of a finish like that as a player or a coach, not even close,” said Central coach Terry Totten. “It’s a night our kids will always remember, but we are behind the 8-ball. We’re reeling.”
Totten’s concerns stem from his team’s inconsistent play. A 31-20 win over Canon-McMillan in late September still has the Vikings (4-4, 1-2) alive for a playoff spot, but the team has scored just 42 combined points in its four losses.
Totten does not lack confidence in his junior quarterback Payton Wehner, a two-year starter who has thrown for 1,583 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
“He’s always been a good athlete, but is taking better care of the football,” said Totten. “He’s making the right reads, distributing the ball well and has steadily improved.”
Wehner’s top two targets include Vernon Settles (43 catches for 522 yards) and Peter Gonzalez (20-326).
The Vikings are averaging just 3.6 yards per rush, so the passing game would seem to be their clearest path to success. But Central will encounter a defense that hasn’t been kind to passing attacks. SV has recorded 25 quarterback sacks this season, led by 9½ from Aiden Lyczek.
During their current five-game win streak, the Raiders have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 42 percent (54 of 127) of their passes with eight interceptions.
SV’s starting cornerbacks are Brandon Page and Jayden Price. Luke Lawson is the free safety and Wayne Pirt and Joe Babusci split time at strong safety.
“Our guys in the secondary have done a great job of being aggressive and making plays on the ball,” said Butschle. “They’re comfortable with their assignments and have done well against athletic receivers.”
Central defeated SV twice last year, 35-0 in the regular season and 42-21 in the playoffs. Those results are now just distant memories for Totten, who is hoping last week’s miracle finish can “provide a spark,” as he put it.
“Seneca Valley plays hard and plays well together,” he said.
“Both teams have a lot to play for,” added Butschle. “We’re preparing for their best and they’ll be getting our best.”
