SV dives into conference play by hosting Big Macs
Class 6A football in the WPIAL underwent some major changes this past offseason. In 2021, there were eight teams in the district's largest classification, but Baldwin, Norwin and Hempfield each dropped to 5A because of declining enrollments.
That leaves just five teams ... four games for each that will decide the four teams to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.
There's little room for error and Canon-McMillan is feeling the tight squeeze due to so few conference games.
The Big Macs encountered their first Tri-County Five Conference foe last week, falling to North Allegheny 35-21.
Seneca Valley will look to avoid falling into an early hole in the conference standings when it hosts Canon-McMillan with a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday, Sept. 9, at NexTier Stadium.
"We want to control our own fate," said SV coach Ron Butschle. "You lose a (conference) game early, it can be out of your hands later on."
For Big Macs' head coach Mike Evans, the No. 1 goal is for his team is to hold its own in the first half. In losses to Penn-Trafford and North Allegheny, the Big Macs have been outscored 55-14 in the first two quarters.
"We've made a lot of mistakes with pre-snap penalties and have put ourselves behind the 8-ball," Coach Evans said. "We've turned the ball over just twice, but we need to come out and play the first half like we've played the second half."
Canon-McMillan (0-2, 0-1) has outscored its opponents 35-15 in the final two quarters, but is in dire need of a fast start Friday.
Much of that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of junior quarterback Mike Evans, who has passed for 504 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception so far in 2022.
Pass defense has to be a major concern for SV. In a 30-27 loss to Peters Township last week, the Raiders succeeded in getting to Indians' quarterback Chris Cibrone, sacking him seven times and forcing a fumble. But when the junior and first-year starter got rid of the ball, he sliced through SV's defense for 342 yards and four touchdowns.
"We got to the quarterback, but it didn't turn into him making errors throwing the ball. We're looking for interceptions and need better play on the back end,“ Butschle said.
Evans, who passed for 1,600 yards last year, has a lot more experience than does Cibrone.
"He's more confident now and has better control of the offense," Coach Evans said of his son. "He's in command and has already made a lot of throws for us this season."
The Raiders (1-1, 0-0) will be looking for a more efficient performance from its own aerial attack. Though senior Graham Hancox ended the Peters Township game with 246 yards and three scores, he completed four of his first 14 passes for 31 yards. The Raiders were forced into three 3-and-outs in the first half.
"A lot went into that," said Butschle. "There were some missed throws, dropped passes and we were facing a good defense. I need to make sure we're better prepared. That's on me."
Both teams have a capable running back who will be counted on to add balance to their respective offenses. SV's Wyatt Craver has rushed for 252 yards on 47 carries. Jake Kasper has 232 yards on 32 attempts for the Big Macs.
SV won a thriller over Canon-McMillan last year, 24-17 in double overtime.
