JACKSON TWP — Two teams headed in opposite directions is the theme of Seneca Valley's home game against Pine-Richland at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The Rams, competing in Quad A for the first time in school history, opened the season with three straight losses, two of which came at the hands of Class AAA opponents.

Since then, Pine-Richland has won three of four games, including two of three Northern Six Conference games.

The Rams' lone loss in that span was a 22-21 overtime decision to conference leader North Hills Sept. 26.

Seneca Valley, on the other hand, has seen a promising 3-1 start to the season fade to an 0-3 conference mark, getting outscored 143-67 in the process.

To keep its WPIAL playoff hopes alive, SV must beat the Rams.

Pine-Richland, coming off a 24-20 upset of North Allegheny last Thursday, wasn't just dealing with losses early in the season. In the first quarter of its season opener against Montour, the Rams lost their top two quarterbacks, Vinny Nittoli and Matt Yoklic, to injury.

Enter junior Eric Kordenbrock, who started the season at tight end and linebacker.

It took a few games for Kordenbrock to get used to his new position, but he has become a confident leader of the Rams offense.

In last week's home win over NA, Kordenbrock threw for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"He came of age last week," said Pine-Richland coach Clair Altemus. "He's more comfortable under center now.

"He's 6-feet-4 and 210 pounds, and he's got a great arm and good mechanics," added Altemus.

Kordenbrock has a reliable ground game to turn to, as Mitch Elliot and Ian Hennessy have combined for more than 1,000 yards.

Elliot gained 87 yards in last week's win and scored the winning touchdown in the closing seconds.

The Raiders suffered a heartbreaking 35-32 loss at Shaler Saturday afternoon.

SV's offense had its best outing in three games, as C.J. Brown threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and senior tailback Tyler Mack added 117 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

But breakdowns on defense and special teams were the difference for the Raiders.

Still, Altemus knows his team will be facing a talented offense in Friday's game.

"C.J. is the real deal," he said of Brown. "He's going to (the University of Maryland), so, enough said there."

Through seven games, Brown has thrown for 1,788 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also has 11 rushing touchdowns.

Brown is closing on the Raiders' single-season marks for passing touchdowns (18) and passing yards (1,890), both set by Van Walker in 1967.

Brown already has eclipsed the career marks for touchdown passes and yards.

"This will be the first spread offense we will have faced," said Altemus. "I don'tknow if we can match up well against it, but our best defense will be our offense. Hopefully, we can make plays to keep C.J. off the field."