JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley seemed to have confidence in its back pocket.

Now, the Raiders are searching for it once again and time to find it is running out.

SV (3-5, 3-3) has not yet qualified for the WPIAL playoffs and just two regular season games remain, both contests at home against Pine-Richland and Norwin.

Any momentum the team gained from a lopsided Quad County win at Hempfield two weeks ago was stripped away by last Friday's 36-7 non-conference loss at Woodland Hills.

The Wolverines entered the game with a single win, but allowed just one score in SV's six trips inside the 10-yard line.

“Against Hempfield, we looked like the team I think we can be,” said SV coach Ron Butschle. “Then we take a big step back last week.

“Our concern now is the team's confidence and getting back on track.”

That will be a very difficult task Friday when Pine-Richland (7-1, 5-1), the defending WPIAL champion, visits NexTier Stadium.

Pine-Richland's one loss this season was a 29-7 defeat to Central Catholic Sept. 27.

“It's great being on top, but you run into complacency,” said P-R coach Eric Kasperowicz. “That's what happened to us a few weeks ago.

“It was probably the best thing that could have happened to us. We realized we have to show up and play hard every week.”

Since the loss, the Rams, who are averaging 40.3 points per game, have crushed Canon-McMillan 63-7 and Mt. Lebanon 41-0.

Unlike last year, P-R sports a pass-heavy offense with junior quarterback Cole Spencer at the helm. He has thrown for 1,759 yards with 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions. As a sophomore, he passed for 15 touchdowns in 14 games, but also rushed for 880 yards.

“He's becoming a better passer and understands what it takes to put the offense into successful situations,” said Kasperowicz. “He's developing more every week.

“We graduated all five of our starting offensive lineman from last year and passing the ball takes some pressure off of the line. The quicker they can become a complete unit, the better off we'll be.”

Spencer's top target is receiver Eli Jochem (35-576-8).

Running back Luke Meckler has gone from nearly 1,500 yards rushing last year to a more balanced output this season with 324 rushing yards and 298 on the receiving end. He also stars on defense as a safety.

“Versatile is the best way to describe Luke,” said Kasperowicz. “He's one of our top receivers, but is also still a threat in the ground game.”

“Last year, they ran the ball about 70 percent of the time,” Butschle said of the Rams. “This year, they've flipped and throw the ball that much.

“They have other good players, but their quarterback really stands out.”

SV has alternated wins and losses for the last six games.

“They're an enigma,” Kasperowicz said of the Raiders, “but Coach Butschle is a great coach and I'm sure they'll be prepared.”

Raiders' senior quarterback Gabe Lawson has surpassed 1,000 yards passing for the third straight year. For his career, he has thrown for 3,589 yards, 32 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

SV can clinch a playoff spot with a win, a Canon-McMillan loss to Central Catholic or a Norwin loss to Mt. Lebanon.

“We are moving on from last week,” said Butschle. “If we win Friday, we can finish as high as No. 3 in the conference.”

The Rams defeated the Raiders twice last year, 21-7 in the regular season and 34-7 in the WPIAL championship game.