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To move forward, Seneca Valley may want to look to the past for inspiration.

The Raiders reached the WPIAL football championship game in 2016 and 2018 as a sixth and fifth seed, respectively.

If SV (4-6) is to play for a district title at Heinz Field Nov. 16, it will have to pull off a very similar run — one that begins Friday when the No. 5 Raiders visit No. 4 Mt. Lebanon.

“We emphasized to the kids that we are in the same position as last year,” said Raiders' coach Ron Butschle. “We have a chance to knock off two teams that beat us in the regular season.

“Exactly what it means for our guys, I don't know. We'll find out once the ball is in the air.”

SV played at Mt. Lebanon in September and sustained a very frustrating 26-20 loss. The Raiders allowed just 36 yards of offense over the first two quarters and led 14-0 at halftime. But the Blue Devils (6-4) rolled up 233 yards in the second half.

“At one point, we gave up 19 points in six plays,” Butschle said. “We started pressing and got out of our game plan. We need to stay the course.”

That will be easier to do if junior running back/cornerback Ethan West is able to go. He left a game against Pine-Richland two weeks ago with a leg injury and did not dress for last week's 28-7 win over Norwin.

West leads the Raiders in rushing yards (512) and receptions (20) and is averaging 8.2 yards per offensive touch.

“He's day-to-day,” Butschle said. “We obviously want him to be out there, but not if it means risking further injury.”

In West's absence, senior Matt Stanger rushed for 232 yards and a score against Norwin.

Senior quarterback Gabe Lawson has thrown for 1,545 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. One of his targets returned from injury last week in wide receiver/tight end Mehki Gay, who had not played since August.

SV needs a strong effort from its offensive line, which includes center Chase Nething, guards Josh Kaltenberger and Donny Kreisberg, and tackles Kevin Meeder and Jim Royal.

“The line is a work in progress,” said Butschle. “They're very talented, but their maturity and understanding of concepts has to get better.”

Since defeating SV, the Blue Devils have rode a roller coaster that produced a 3-3 record in the final six games of the regular season. The losses came against the top three teams in the conference — North Allegheny (40-14), Pine-Richland (41-0) and last week to Central Catholic (45-7).

“We went up against some really good teams and got exposed,” said first-year Mt. Lebanon coach Bob Palko. “When you take over a program, it's a process.”

A focal point of SV's defense will be Mt. Lebanon senior Evan Jones, who leads the team with 22 receptions worth 390 yards. He also has rushed for 274 yards, passed for 137 yards and scored 11 total touchdowns, which is tied for the team lead with running back Mason Ventrone.

“He's played everything for us from tight end to quarterback to running back to wide receiver,” said Palko of Jones. “He's a great kid and a great leader. He's very unselfish and means a lot to the team.”

Ventrone leads a stable of running backs with 513 yards.

The game's winner will play in the semifinals Nov. 8 against Central Catholic, which defeated the Raiders 10-7 in August.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.