JACKSON TWP — More “real” football is not a bad thing.

With that in mind, Seneca Valley will suit up and play in Week Zero this season.

The Raiders will host McDowell Friday with a 7:30 p.m. start at NexTier Stadium.

Last season, Seneca Valley opted to hold a second scrimmage instead of playing a game that would count toward their won/loss record.

“A second scrimmage was never really productive for us,” said SV coach Ron Butschle. “Why not play 10 regular season games? That's the way I feel.

“I talked to McDowell's coach (Brad Orlando) about it and our athletic directors made it happen. I'm excited to play this game. We wanted a challenge, something to get us ready for the grind of a 6A schedule and McDowell is a quality team.”

The Raiders took part in one scrimmage, held against Peters Township last Saturday.

“We didn't work our starters a whole lot because we knew we'd be preparing for a game this week,” added Butschle. “They got about 30 reps. Our second and third team got a lot of reps.”

Matt Stanger, a backup quarterback from last year, will be the Raiders' starting halfback.

“Jake Mineweaser will also be in the game quite a bit and will get carries,” said Butschle. “But he also starts on defense at linebacker. Matt does not start on defense and that is a factor in him being the starter.”

A more seasoned Gabe Lawson, now a junior, will be calling the signals for SV. His improved play as the season progressed last year gives him a high ceiling for 2018.

McDowell, a Class 6A team from District 10, is coming off a 5-6 season. The Trojans have many holes to fill, especially at the skill positions.

Due to graduation and transfers, the team lost its starting quarterback, the top three rushers and top four receivers from 2017. Included in that group is Xavier Pulliam, who rushed for 1,241 yards and 14 touchdowns and quarterback Regan Schleicher, who passed for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Sophomore Chris Juchno will be McDowell's starting quarterback Friday night.

“Chris is a very good athlete, a Division I baseball prospect ranked in the top 10 in the state,” said Orlando. “He has a great understanding of our offense, has a big arm and can use his feet when needed.

“Seneca Valley is well-coached, big and physical and it appears that is what they will hang their hat on.”

There is a history between the Raiders and Trojans. They played each other each year from 2006-11, with McDowell winning four of the six games.

A win would mean a lot for a Raiders team coming off a 3-6 season.

Said Butschle, “It won't be a dire situation if we lose, but if we play well and win, that would give us a boost of confidence entering conference play next week against Central Catholic.”

Knoch at Hampton

7 p.m., Friday

These two rivals have not faced each other since 2015, when they were both members of the Greater Allegheny Conference ... The Knights own a 25-24-1 lead in the all-time series, but have dropped the past four meetings. Hampton blanked Knoch 28-0 in 2015.

The Knights are entering their second year with the triple-option offense under coach Frank Whalen. ... Knoch won three of its final four games last season once it settled into that offense. . .. Chase Mullen moves from running back to quarterback this season. Noah Cetnar returns at running back. ... The Knights will be relying on a lot of younger players to develop quickly this fall.

Hampton was 2-8 last season under coach Jacque DeMatteo. ... The Talbots return seven starters on both sides of the ball, with RB Vince Schmitt rushing for 310 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. Max Obenrader is a first-year starter at quarterback as a senior, just like Knoch's Mullen.

Albert Gallatin at North Catholic

7 p.m., Friday

at Mars

The Trojans finished 10-3 last year and reached the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals. ... They have a ton of talent at the skill positions, beginning with junior QB Zack Rocco, who threw for over 2,000 yards and 30 TDs in 2017. ... Another player to watch is junior Nikhai Hill-Green, who will play multiple positions on offense, including at TE and WR, and will anchor the defense as a LB.

Albert Gallatin is a program that has struggled for years. ... The Colonials went 2-7 last fall, though one of their wins was a 28-27 upset of West Mifflin. ... AG is under the direction of first-year head coach Drew Dindl, who has switched the offense from a pass-heavy one to the triple option.

Slippery Rock at General McLane

7 p.m., Friday

Slippery Rock reached the District 10 Class 3A semifinals last fall before finishing with a 4-7 record. ... Third-year coach Larry Wendereusz plans to use both junior Vito Pilosi and senior Jacob Shaffer at QB. Last year, Shaffer passed for 513 yards and seven TDs and rushed for 228 yards and three scores. ... Senior RB Kaleb Kamerer gained 288 yards rushing and scored twice in 2017 and should see an expanded role.

General McLane went 4-6 last season, including a District 10 Class 5A playoff loss. ... The Lancers passed for just 345 yards as a team last year and graduated Nasir Singleton, who led the offense with 1,407 yards and 15 TDs on the ground.

Moniteau at Kane

7 p.m., Friday

The Warriors have a small, but talented roster. Quarterback Chance Nagy returns for his third season as a starter. The senior has worked on his passing skills during the offseason and should be a more dangerous threat in the running game after playing with two badly sprained ankles last season. ... Moniteau should have a potent rush attack in addition to Nagy. Senior Cody Wise and junior Nick Martino provide size and speed in the backfield. ... Kane beat the Warriors 55-7 in the 2016 District 9 playoffs and have not lost a home game since Oct. 17, 2014.

Union/A-C Valley

at Clarion-Limestone

7 p.m., Friday

The Falcon Knights are in the third year of their co-op and are looking for their first winning season as a combined program. They struggled to a 1-9 record last year. ... The team has a new head coach in Brad Dittman, who previously guided A-C Valley 2012-15. ... Junior Luke Bowser takes over at QB for the graduated Lucas Bowser, who threw for 1,214 yards and 11 TDs a season ago.

C-L's 6-5 season last fall ended with a District 9 Class A quarterfinal playoff loss to Coudersport. ... Three huge impact players from last year's offense have graduated — QB Brenden Makray (2,785 yds. and 34 TDs), and WRs Kyle Kerle (1,165-14) and Riley Hummell (733-9).

Summit Academy

at Western Beaver

12:30 p.m., Saturday

Summit finished 4-6 last year and made the WPIAL playoffs for just the second time in its history. ... The Knights are high on senior QB Jelani Steward (5-8, 175 pounds), who has a strong arm and is also dangerous with his feet. ... A slew of WRs will help, including senior Donte Gibson.

Western Beaver made the WPIAL playoffs a year ago, finishing the season with a 6-5 record. ... Senior RB Raven Chandler will carry much of the load in the ground game after tallying 736 yards and five TDs as a junior. ... Western Beaver has a co-operative agreement with Lincoln Park.