JACKSON TWP — Is it possible that winless Butler can claim bragging rights on Seneca Valley, a team headed to the playoffs?

Yes, at least for now.

Over the last four years, possibly no team has frustrated the Raiders more than the Golden Tornado.

In that span, neither team has qualified for the playoffs, yet Butler beat the Raiders four straight times by a combined score of 123-51, taking the Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy each year.

The Raiders (5-3, 3-1) can enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak and take home the trophy for the first time since 2002 if they can defeat the Golden Tornado (0-8, 0-4) in the Northern Five finale for both teams at 7:30 p.m. Friday at NexTier Stadium.

"Seneca Valley-Butler is always a big game," said SV coach Ron Butschle. "Their kids will be up for it and we have to match that.

"Over the last few weeks, they've come out in a whole bunch of multiple sets," Butschle added. "What they will show on Friday, we'll have to wait and see, but they've given us a lot to prepare for."

The Raiders have secured second place in the conference, which means a home WPIAL Class AAAA playoff game Nov. 2.

A big reason for the team's current three-game win streak has been the play of the defensive line, which consists of ends Nick Marzock and Ryan Scheller and tackles Sean Gallagher and Zach Eckstrom, who made a key interception in last week's 24-14 victory at Shaler.

"I think they've played well over the last few weeks," said Butschle. "We've done a good job of stopping the run and have gotten some pressure on the quarterback, too."

Marzock's play has influenced things on offense as well. The senior tight end has tallied five receptions for 46 yards, though those numbers belie his role.

"During the course of a game, you may not notice him because he's not scoring a lot of touchdowns, though he has made some big catches for us this year," Butschle said. "But he always does a nice job blocking and he is the consummate team player. And that's what this team is all about."

SV's leaders entering the game include C.J. Brown with 1,236 passing yards and 10 touchdowns through the air, James Daniels with 407 yards rushing and four scores, and Matt Plautz with 38 receptions for 511 yards and five scores.

Plautz is six catches shy of breaking Zach Duggan's school record of 43 receptions in a season, which he set in 2005.

Butler won last year's meeting with the Raiders, 14-0.

SV's last win in the series came by a 32-0 count in 2002.