In one respect, it's fitting that the Seneca Valley football team opens its season against Penn-Trafford.

The two teams met in last year's opener and the Raiders were sent home with a 42-6 defeat.

It was the first of nine straight losses the Raiders would endure.

"I don't think our kids believed they could play with a team like Penn-Trafford last year," said Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle. "But this season, they believe they can play with anybody."

With that kind of self-confidence, the Raiders must be champing at the bit to face the team that began their downward spiral last season.

Seneca Valley fans will see just how far their team has come at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Raider Stadium.

"In last year's game, everything started to go bad with a blocked punt," said Butschle. "It's really important that we come out early and establish ourselves, setting the tone for the game."

Penn-Trafford coach Art Tragesser knows his team's task on defense will start with one player - Seneca Valley senior quarterback Kevan Smith.

"He's the player that comes to mind first," Tragesser said. "He's a Division I recruit and adds a dimension to their offense."

The Raiders will start senior Zach Duggan at one wideout position and junior Kevin Mayberry at the other.

"Kevin probably made the toughest catch I've seen in practice the other day," said Butschle. "Dan Stanley and Ben Mitro will also contribute at wide receiver this year, but Kevin has earned the starting job."

Adding to Tragesser's concerns is the fact that his defensive backfield is banged up. He said he isn't sure who will be playing, though he expects senior Anthony Trunzo, junior Tim Cortazzo and sophomore Chris Rasky to be in the mix.

"They've all learned how to play every defensive backfield position," said Tragesser.

The Warriors, who lost to North Hills in the first round of the WPIAL Quad A playoffs last year, have a star quarterback of their own returning in Tyler Huether.

The senior completed more than 60 percent of his passes in 2004 for 2,209 yards and 21 touchdowns out of his team's spread offense.

Huether is one of only three returning starters the Warriors have on that side of the ball. The other two are Cortazzo, a wide receiver who caught 32 receptions and nine scores in 2004, and running back Mike Tropiano (600 yards rushing).

The Raiders are aware of the experience the Warriors have at the skill positions.

"They are a well-oiled machine on offense," said Butschle.

A monkey wrench could be thrown into that group of working parts by inexperience up front.

Last season, the Warriors returned all five starting offensive linemen from the previous year.

Tragesser doesn't have that luxury this season.

"All five of our starters graduated," he said. "The kids we have in there now haven't done bad in scrimmages against Plum and North Allegheny. They've made some mistakes, but they're right where they should be."

"They're not as big on the offensive line as they were last year," said Butschle. "Hopefully, we can use our size up front to our advantage."