A playoff game for Seneca Valley?

Well, sort of.

The Raiders' real playoff hopes died two weeks ago with a loss to North Allegheny.

But the team isn't taking its last two games lightly.

"We're looking at our two remaining games as playoff games," said Raiders' coach Ron Butschle. "We've got to salvage something from this season."

Seneca will host winless Butler (0-8, 0-6) in the Quad North finale for both teams Friday night. For the 12th straight year, the winner of the game will receive the Eagle Traveling Trophy.

Butler won last year, 29-7.

The Raiders (0-8, 0-6) are looking to end an otherwise dreadful season on a positive note.

The team is in danger of posting the first winless season in the school's history.

"We're not worried about record books right now," said Butschle. "The bottom line is we are 0-8, and that wears on everybody. Even if there were 10 other teams in school history to go winless, we'd still want a win just as bad."

Seneca Valley is coming off a 42-0 loss to Upper St. Clair, the fifth time in eight games the Raiders have given up at least 42 points.

The Raiders' defense has surrendered 2,136 rushing yards, an average of 267 per game.

"In this conference you have to be able to stop the run," said Butschle. "We've shown flashes of improvement the whole year, but we just haven't been consistent. That's what we have to work on, becoming consistent."

Butler's Bob Alexander enters the game with 643 yards on the ground, a 7-yard average and eight touchdowns.

"The biggest thing with (Butler) is their size up front," said Butschle. "They're gigantic and I'm sure they plan on running the football. Stopping that is what we're focused on right now."

As for Seneca's running game, junior Pat Prazer underwent surgery on his left ankle and is done for the year. Senior Evan Braithwaite is questionable after separating his right shoulder two weeks ago against North Allegheny.

That leaves sophomore Nate Bradley (5-11, 163), who saw his first varsity action last week with 28 yards on 12 carries.

Senior Marshall Lee and junior Kevan Smith are expected to split time at quarterback for the third straight week.

Smith recently returned after recovering from a broken arm. He has completed four of 16 passes for 39 yards and a score.

"Kevan is still knocking off some rust, but he's got a very strong arm," said Butschle. "He can open things up in the passing game for us."

Lee has 733 yards passing and needs 171 yards in the final two games to move into 10th place all-time on the school's single season passing list (Wayne Roccia had 904 in 1995).

The Raiders have hosted Butler 10 times in the series' history, with the Golden Tornado holding a 6-4 advantage.

Seneca will close its season by hosting Fox Chapel next Thursday.