Zach Duggan didn't see much time as a wide receiver on the Seneca Valley freshman football team because he couldn't catch the ball.

Now he owns the varsity program's record for career receptions.

Duggan caught five passes for 71 yards in last Friday's loss at Bethel Park, vaulting the senior to the top of the Raiders' all-time list

Bob Britt held the previous record, recording 51 receptions from 1969-71. Duggan now has 53 catches.

"It's a record that stood for a long time, so it's going to be cool in a few years to look back and say I was able to do that," Duggan said.

"But, hopefully, our program will keep getting better and somebody will be able to break it again."

Duggan's varsity career began in 2003 with a modest eight catches as a sophomore.

Then came 2004, and a promise by new head coach Ron Butschle that the passing game would figure in more prominently to the offense - and it did.

Despite the fact the Raiders went 1-9 last year, Duggan caught 30 passes for 386 yards.

Quarterback Kevan Smith, a classic drop-back passer who missed most of his junior campaign with a broken wrist, was named the starter long before this season began.

With a strong-armed quarterback throwing him the football, Duggan was all but assured of breaking the record in 2005.

"I think it's great he got the record," said Seneca Valley wide receivers coach Chris Marnich. "But I told him before the season that the record shouldn't drive him. He needed to go out and want to become a better player, regardless of the record."

If you know Zach Duggan, then you know that the words statistics and motivation don't belong in the same sentence where the 5-foot-8, 145-pound wideout is concerned.

"I never really focused on the amount of receptions and yards that I got," Duggan said. "Instead, I focused on our opponent that particular week and what I needed to do to help us win the game."

Duggan was the team's lone experienced receiver entering this season, while other players were vying to work their way up the depth chart.

"Zach made sure the other receivers studied up on the offense and learned it inside and out," said Marnich. "And he explained to them the importance of blocking. You know, we like to air it out, but all of our receivers also need to be able to block downfield.

"I was very impressed with the leadership Zach showed," Marnich added.

Duggan now has 15 catches worth 246 yards and two touchdowns in 2005.

"Zach's got a lot of experience, and I know I can count on him when I throw him the ball," said Smith.

The best news for the Raiders is that Duggan isn't the only receiver making plays downfield.

Senior Dan Stanley has returned from an injury to join Kevin Mayberry and Josh Fusco in giving Smith a few more options.

And the running game has been a strength as well.

"Pat Prazer has been running the ball well for us," Smith said. "If we can get the opposing defenses to stick eight guys in the box to stop the run, we can tear them apart with our passing game."

With the program's reception record in his back pocket, Duggan hopes his efforts this season will help Seneca Valley qualify for the WPIAL Quad A playoffs.

"My brother, Dom, was on Seneca's last playoff team in 2002," said Duggan. "I knew everything about that team because I went to the scrimmages and all the games. That team was very close, just like this year's team.

"I know we're going to make the playoffs this year," he added. "And I can't wait for it to happen."

Following are the top five career reception leaders at Seneca Valley. The four players below Zach Duggan, along with their stats, were provided by the team record book.Player Years ReceptionsZach Duggan 2003-present 53Bob Britt 1969-71 51Brett Sutch 1996-97 47Bryan Siebel 1986-88 45Brian Pittel 1986-87 44