Moon vs. Seneca Valley
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Seneca Valley’s NexTier Stadium.
Coaches: Moon’s Ryan Linn is 20- 19 in five seasons. Ron Butschle is 20-20 in five seasons at Seneca Valley and 79-75 in 16 seasons overall.
Last meeting: This is the first meeting in 32 years. On Oct. 6, 1989, Mark Winters rushed for 225 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead Seneca Valley to a 42-14 win. At the time, both teams played in the Class 3A Midwestern Conference. Seneca Valley lost to Aliquippa in the WPIAL championship that season.
Last season: Moon began the season 3-0, but lost three of its next four to finish 4-3 and fall short of qualifying for the playoffs. Seneca Valley also went 4-3, and saw its season end with a loss to North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals.
Quick hits: Seneca Valley has never won a WPIAL title. Moon’s only title came in 1988. But both teams (Seneca Valley in Class 6A, Moon in Class 5A) should be in the conversation this season. … Butschle said this might be the most skilled team he has ever coached. The Raiders have a new offensive coordinator. Ryan Lehmeier is one of three former PineRichland assistants who recently joined the staff. At Pine-Richland, Lehmeier helped guide one of the best offenses in the state. … In Nolan Dworek (449 yards last season), the Raiders have one of the top running backs in Class 6A. … Moon has a large senior class and brings back five all-conference players. Led by Jake Baumgartner, Ben Bladel and Trent Fraley, the Tigers are outstanding along the lines. They also have a three-year starter at quarterback in lefty Tyler McGowan.
Others to watch
Central Catholic vs. Imhotep Charter at the Wolvarena, 8 p.m. — This is the marquee game of the Western Pa. vs. Everyone Showcase. Imhotep Charter, from the Philadelphia Public League, is the No. 1 Class 5A team in the state.
Plum at Franklin Regional, 7 p.m. — Running back Eryck Moore hopes to help Plum keep rolling after the Mustangs won their first conference title since 1983 last season. Meanwhile, Lance Getsy makes his debut as Franklin Regional’s coach.
Mt. Lebanon at Bethel Park, 7 p.m. — Teams from bordering communities meet in an interesting nonconference game. Both feature good quarterbacks. Mt. Lebanon’s Joey Daniels was all-conference last season. Bethel Park’s Max Blanc is a Youngstown State recruit.
Pine-Richland vs. Harrisburg at the Wolvarena, 4:30 p.m. (Saturday) — New Pine-Richland coach Steve Campos draws a difficult first opponent. The defending PIAA Class 5A champs play a Class 5A Harrisburg program that reached the final in 2016 and 2018.