Facing Central Catholic on the football field is never an easy task; doing so after a Vikings' loss usually equals an even stiffer challenge.

Seneca Valley is about to find out just how difficult the defending WPIAL 6A champions can be after the Vikings dropped a 35-21 decision to North Allegheny last week.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at NexTier Stadium.

The Vikings' ground attack, which often overwhelms opponents, was shut down by the Tigers. Senior halfback Eddy Tillman, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2019, gained just 17 yards on 15 carries.

“The thing that NA did well was they had eight or nine guys around the ball every play ... and I mean every play,” said SV coach Ron Butschle, who knows Tillman (5-foot-8, 165 pounds) does not need much space.

“You give him a crack and he is so dangerous.”

The Raiders faced Tillman last year before he hit his stride and he gained just 25 yards on eight carries in Central's 10-7 win.

Tillman, whose college interest includes Harvard, Penn and Cornell, gained 197 yards and scored a touchdown in a season-opening win against Canon-McMillan.

“He's the starting point for us. That's no secret to anybody,” said Central coach Terry Totten, who is in the process of choosing his quarterback for Friday's game.

Junior Branndon Pezzelle started last week's game, but struggled and was replaced by senior Adam Obrin, who completed eight passes for 129 yards and one interception.

“They're competing this week,” said Totten. “We'll go with the hot hand.”

“(Pezzelle) has a really strong arm, but he's not very accurate,” said Butschle. “(Obrin) is not as athletic, but he is poised in the pocket.”

SV's starting linebackers include Ethan West in the middle, Mitch Curran and Tyler Yurich on the outside.

“Yurich, he won the WPIAL title in the 100 dash two years ago,” said Butschle. “Last week, there were two plays where he chased a kid down from a good distance. The speed he shows on the field is incredible.”

Totten also has to be concerned with his defense. Two weeks ago, the Vikings trailed Norwin before Central prevailed 38-28. Then came last week's loss to NA, with the Tigers rushing for 173 yards.

SV brings a powerful ground attack into the contest, fresh off a 349-yard effort in last week's 35-3 thumping of Norwin.

West (225 yards, three TDs) and Nolan Dworek (100-2) accounted for the majority of those yards.

SV senior quarterback Dustin Horn will be making his third career start. He has completed 22 of 29 pass attempts for 334 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in two games.

“They do a really good job up front and show you different looks,” said Totten of the Raiders (2-0). “They're a good football team and we'll have our hands full.”