What better time for a winless team to pick up its first victory than against its biggest rival on Homecoming?

At least that's what the Seneca Valley Raiders are hoping for.

The Raiders will host arch-rival North Allegheny Friday with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

"The kids have had a real good week of practice," said Raiders' coach Ron Butschle. "The atmosphere will definitely be in our favor Friday night."

North Allegheny (2-4, 1-3) is coming off its first Quad North win of the season, a lopsided 45-14 decision over Butler. The Tigers out-rushed the Golden Tornado 398-26.

"The biggest thing for us was we got some injured players back," said Tigers coach Jim Rankin. "(Running back) Andrew McMillen, (linebacker) R.J. Parks and (strong safety) Steve Guzzetti, they all returned and made an impact. And their presence on the field added to the enthusiasm of the other players."

Prior to defeating Butler, North Allegheny dropped conference games to Mt. Lebanon (14-13), Bethel Park (35-21) and Upper St. Clair (37-0).

The Tigers rushing game has several components, including McMillen, Craig Howarth and Billy Knight. McMillen rushed for 1,010 yards last season.

Howarth is also the team's leading receiver with 11 receptions for 90 yards.

The offense is led by senior quarterback Andrew Krewatch.

"He's playing efficiently right now," said Rankin of his signal caller.

"NA looked good last week, and I was there to see it," said Butschle, whose team lost to Shaler 14-7 last Saturday. "They've got a good ground game and an aggressive defense."

The Raiders' linebackers will be counted on to help stop the Tigers' backs. That group includes senior Evan Braithwaite, juniors Jake Gress and Ben Edwards and sophomore Shaun Eagle, who will be making his first defensive start of the season.

The last time Seneca Valley (0-6, 0-4) opened a season with seven straight losses was 1983.

"These kids are so hungry for a win right now," said Butschle. "It's like they've reached that door (to victory), but they just haven't been able to walk through it yet."

North Allegheny's 10-7 win last year halted the Raiders' three-game winning streak over the Tigers (2000-02). Three of the last four meetings have been decided by a field goal.

"Seneca Valley plays us tough all the time," said Rankin. "And we're expecting another difficult game."