Raiders add muscle to squad they hope can kick down door to a WPIAL 6A crown
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley's four losses last year were due to, in head coach Ron Butschle's opinion: "Being out-matched, not out-played.“
The Raiders lost all three games against the two best teams in WPIAL Class 6A — Mt. Lebanon and Central Catholic — by a combined score of 115-28. That included a 42-21 semifinal playoff loss to the Vikings.
To help close the gap, SV brought in a new strength and conditioning coach in Casey Williams, a world-class weightlifter.
The effect is no more evident than with offensive lineman Logan Armstrong, who was a reserve tackle and guard last year, but slated to start at center this season.
"He's brought a totally different environment to the team and every player has benefitted from it," Armstrong said. "Last year, I weighed 220 pounds and was benching about 255. I'm now 260 pounds and benching 375."
"He's the strongest guy on the team," said Butschle of Armstrong. "He's more of a natural center anyway and he's known since conditioning started in January that he'd be switching positions. The transition has gone well for him."
Joining Armstrong as leaders on the offensive line are left tackle Devin Webb and left guard Lucas Lambert. All three are attracting attention from numerous colleges.
At the skill positions, gone to graduation are SV's leading rusher, Nolan Dworek, and big-play receiver Brandon Ross. But a number of key players return to fuel the attack.
Senior quarterback Graham Hancox is back from injury after playing well in the first six games last season. Senior receiver Luke Lawson will certainly be a viable option for him in the passing game following a junior campaign that yielded 48 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns.
Aiden Lyczek will be a tempting target with his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) as a tight end who has the ability to split out wide. Jacob Rape and Chris D'Appalonia are also preparing for balls to be thrown their way.
Wyatt Craver had a solid season in the running game behind Dworek. The former rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries in SV's final two games last fall.
"Wyatt was on our state-finalist 4x100 relay team in the spring, so he's got really good speed, but also runs with power," Butschle said. "He got a lot of reps last year as our No. 2 tailback and is tough to tackle.
"We're running the same offense as last year, which is a spread and multiple. So right now, we're polishing things off rather than implementing. The goal is to get the ball in the hands of guys who can make plays for us."
The added muscle on this year's team is also counted on to bring more bite to SV's defense that returns nine starters.
"There were times last year when we got out-muscled," said Butschle. "But the idea is, if you have mature, strong kids, as long as they're doing what they're coached to do, they will be successful.“
Webb, Armstrong, Lambert and Lyczek each return on the defensive front, with TJ Border, last year's leading tackler with over 80 stops, in support at middle linebacker and D'Appalonia playing on the outside.
Joe Babusci will man one of the corner positions. Lawson will be at free safety and Wayne Pirt at strong safety after starting at cornerback last season.
"Last year we had a lot of guys playing defense who had never before played on Friday nights," added Butschle. "The experience they got gives them a lot of confidence."
Lawson will handle punting duties. Jacob Adams is expected to be kicking off and will compete with Cade Lynch in kicking extra points and field goals.
Class 6A in the WPIAL has been cut down to just five teams after the enrollments at Hempfield, Norwin and Baldwin forced their drop to 5A.
The Raiders will compete with Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, North Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon. Four of the five teams will qualify for the playoffs.
With the returning experience and talent, there is much buzz surrounding the Raiders as they prepare for the season-opener against Penn Hills Friday at NexTier Stadium.
"They hear it," Butschle said regarding the talk of a special season in the making. "But outside stuff means nothing. We haven't played a game yet."
