JACKSON TWP — A win was just what the doctor ordered for Seneca Valley.

With its first victory of 2014 secured — a 29-22 triumph over Butler last Friday — the Raiders' football team has begun the climb toward what it hopes is one of the Northern Eight Conference's five automatic playoff bids.

SV (1-4, 1-3) will have its hands full when Pine-Richland visits NexTier Stadium Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

The Rams (5-0, 4-0) are undefeated and are coming off a 32-15 victory over previously unbeaten North Hills.

“Maybe we gained a little bit of confidence by winning last week,” said Seneca coach Don Holl, “but last week's game isn't going to help us Friday. How we execute is going to determine how things go for us.”

The Raiders averaged 119 rushing yards per game in their four losses to start the season. They totaled just 32 yards on 22 carries in defeating Butler.

“Butler ran everybody to the line of scrimmage and they came after us,” said Holl. “We had to pick things up. When a defense is playing high-risk, as an offense you have to execute high-reward plays. We had the chance to do that last week, but had six or seven dropped passes by guys running free downfield. But there is no such thing as a bad win. It may not be a masterpiece, but when you get a win, you have to feel good about the effort.”

Senior quarterback T.J. Holl's mobility has been compromised due to the knee brace he's wearing following a sprain in the season-opener against North Allegheny Aug. 29.

Last year, he tallied over 800 yards on the ground. Following the injury, he has gained 35 yards this season.

“What he needs is a good chunk of time to rest and rehab,” said Coach Holl. “That's not going to happen.”

Seneca left tackle Tyler Hudanick played last week after nursing a leg injury. Receiver Brad Hensler is still recovering from an injured ankle and is “day-to-day”, according to Holl.

Pine-Richland has outscored its five opponents by a combined score of 213-46. While 104 of those points and a good portion of their offensive yards came in wins over winless Shaler and Kiski Area, the Rams also put up 444 yards and 32 points on a stingy North Hills defense last week.

“I've been impressed with the overall approach the team has taken,” second-year Rams' coach Eric Kasperowicz replied in an emailed interview. “We take it one week at a time. We focus on doing the little things right and believe the rest will take care of itself.”

Senior quarterback Ben DiNucci has passed for 1,204 yards with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions this season. His favorite target is Michael Merhaut, who has grabbed 28 passes for 471 yards and six scores.

DiNucci has been the team's starting quarterback since his sophomore campaign.

“Last year as a junior, he was named the most improved player on the team,” Kasperowicz wrote of DiNucci. “He put on 15 pounds of muscle and has really developed the moxie of an experienced signal caller.”

Providing balance to the Rams' offense is senior running back Connor Slomka with his 401 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

The Raiders won last year's meeting with the Rams, 43-25.