PRZPA Team Preview, Seneca Valley

<p>Head coach Ron Butschle returns for the 2024 season, aiming to improve upon a 3-7 finish from 2023. Seneca Valley competes at the highest level in Pennsylvania at 6A, facing some of the biggest and most dangerous programs in western Pennsylvania. To be formidable against schools like Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, and Pittsburgh Central Catholic, the Raiders will need big production from their top playmakers. Seneca Valley boasts Division I talent and a host of collegiate prospects who will look to change the Raiders' fortunes from a season ago. Let's talk about the prospects to watch for in the upcoming 2024 season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/svraiderfb/status/1819581246692843896?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jaydenprice_12/status/1819065352145236221?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='861406' first='Jayden' last='Price'], a Toledo Rockets commit, has earned his reputation on this platform and beyond. I've seen this 6'3 versatile DB on multiple occasions and have always marveled at his quickness and agility for being a taller defensive back. He's a leader who checks all the boxes athletically on the gridiron. Jayden has fluid hips, plays lower than his height, doesn't get overextended when breaking on the football, and possesses FBS-level ball skills. In multiple conversations with my Prep Redzone colleagues, we discussed his ability to possibly play not only safety at Toledo but also cornerback. He's patient in press coverage or off-man technique and has the speed to stay over the top in zone coverage. He's physical and has great route recognition, showcasing his football intelligence. Several D1 schools agreed with that assessment, as he chose the Rockets over programs such as Robert Morris, Miami OH, Air Force, Eastern Michigan, Cornell, Bryant, Army, Lehigh, Akron, and Buffalo.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/caydenparker07/status/1818315241379213623?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Parker has now grown to 6'3, 220 lbs and has the ability to play multiple positions at the Division I level. This versatile 2026 prospect displays next-level athleticism with the capability to play DE, OLB, TE, or H-back, but I like him on the edge. He's a natural pass rusher who can sack the QB or get into throwing lanes to produce interceptions or bat-downs. Cayden has violent hands when playing off blockers and showcases quick mobility in redirecting after the ball carrier in run support. Parker's motor is constant, and he strikes fear into offensive players when he hits the ball carrier. I'm impressed with his ability to operate out of a 2-point stance, as I witnessed him pass rushing at the 2Tenths Top 150 camp and on his game film. Offensively, he's a dangerous H-back and flex TE in the slot who can catch and run. He runs sharp routes and has soft hands catching the football, quickly getting vertical after the catch. His physicality doesn't stop on defense, as he's a solid run blocker who can put defenders on their backs. Seneca Valley is very lucky to have a two-way next-level enforcer like him returning for the 2024 season. Cayden currently has two FBS offers from MAC programs Miami (Ohio) and Toledo.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/adam_gehm/status/1817960071869190358?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Gehm is a prototypically sized FBS TE at 6'6, 230 lbs with the skills to match his D1 frame. He's a traditional, attached-to-the-line TE who also has the ability to line up outside or in the slot. Gehm is a consistently good blocker with the strength and mobility to open lanes in the run game. He's savvy maneuvering through the middle of the field on crossing patterns, showcasing his ability to be a downfield passing target. He's a skilled pass catcher who knows how to use his body to shield smaller defenders away from the ball on his receptions. He's pretty athletic for a target of his size, and Seneca Valley utilizes him on screens and throws in the flat also. Adam's ability to engage and disengage at DE is a weapon in run pursuit as well. He gives great effort, regularly chasing plays down from sideline to sideline. It's no surprise he's been extended FBS offers from Miami (Ohio), Wisconsin, Toledo, Maryland, and Syracuse.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/chasemazanek/status/1817679204156125195?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Chase is an active, gritty LB who plays with good instincts. Mazanek proved he could be a consistent contributor to the Seneca Valley defense last season. He quickly sniffs out plays and moves well laterally to track down the ball carrier. Anytime you see someone with a cast playing the way he does, you can bet toughness isn't one of his weaknesses. He's a good blitzer and a reliable tackler in space. Chase isn't afraid to mix it up inside the box in run pursuit. He sheds blockers quickly and finds the action just as fast, always looking to make a play. I'm confident Mazanek will be a productive player on special teams this year for the Raiders. I anticipate even more production in 2024 now that he has two healthy hands. I'm also very intrigued to see Chase in the backfield on offense this season. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jmatthews312/status/1769520121272304121?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Matthews is a tough 6'0, 205 lb LB who leaves it all on the gridiron every game. He's a smart player with quick read-and-react skills. Jackson displays fluid hips and sharp footwork when zone-dropping on passing plays from the WLB position. His relentless motor is evident as he consistently makes plays all over the field. He's an effective blitzer and a solid open-field tackler. Matthews packs a big punch on his hits, as showcased in numerous tackles inside the box and during zone drops on passing plays. He's athletic enough to cover running backs out of the backfield in man coverage situations. Matthews will also be a vital player on special teams for Head Coach Ron Butschle and the Raiders in 2024.</p>    <p>Wolfe is an active DB who will be a key player for Seneca Valley's secondary this season. He has good hips and breaks on the football quickly from the safety position. JT isn't afraid of contact and excels at colliding with ball carriers. He has good size for contesting downfield throws and showcases efficient athleticism that makes him rangy on the backend. Wolfe has a nose for the ball and reacts swiftly, running the alley aggressively when he gets a beat on the football. JT must elevate his production and leadership for Seneca Valley to be successful in 6A this season. At 6'1 and around 175 lbs, Wolfe is a collegiate prospect capable of playing strong or free safety effectively at the next level.</p>    <p>Kyle Mancing is a prospect with tremendous potential to become one of the leaders on defense for the Raiders. He's a strong player, displaying the ability to engage and disengage offensive linemen from both interior and exterior positions on the defensive line. His 6'2, 215 lb frame has been valuable for Seneca Valley in the past and will be crucial in 2024. He's capable of providing pressure on blitzes and can be a handful setting the edge from the OLB or DE positions. His versatility to line up as a 3-tech and be effective speaks to his strength and agility as an overall player. Kyle will need to be a significant contributor for Seneca Valley this year. Look for more overall production from Mancing on defense in 2024.</p>       <p>The Raiders will be looking for players with limited roles from 2023 to realize their potential in 2024. Offensive players such as WRs Brayden Wise and 6'5, 200 lb [player_tooltip player_id='944135' first='Owen' last='Congdon'], along with defensive players [player_tooltip player_id='944131' first='Adam' last='Bayer'] and Landon Davis, are intriguing athletes who could see bigger roles for the Seneca Valley Raiders. Bayer and Davis both displayed potential and ability this summer at FCS Robert Morris University prospect camps, which will hopefully translate into the 2024 season. An underclassman worth mentioning is athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1180782' first='Luke' last='West'], who will hopefully compete for varsity playing time. Players like Davis, Bayer, and West will add quality depth to the offense and defense for Seneca Valley this year at the 6A level. Brayden Wise has showcased good body control mixed with soft hands on toe-tapping and jump ball receptions on film. All of these Raider athletes will need to put their best foot forward this season on the gridiron for Seneca Valley to be formidable.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/eisenhutmax/status/1786161197479264622?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Max is a kicker who will definitely be a weapon for the Raiders in 2024. He displays a strong leg on kickoffs, punts, and field goals and has put in a lot of work during the offseason. Eisenhut consistently reaches inside the 20-yard line on his kickoffs and has enough strength to reach the end zone. He has good hang time on his punts and can hit field goals beyond 30 yards. I'll be watching Max to see what personal bests he reaches in the kicking game in 2024.</p>

Head coach Ron Butschle returns for the 2024 season, aiming to improve upon a 3-7 finish from 2023. Seneca Valley competes at the highest level in Pennsylvania at 6A, facing some of the biggest and most dangerous programs in western Pennsylvania. To be formidable against schools like Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, and Pittsburgh Central Catholic, the Raiders will need big production from their top playmakers. Seneca Valley boasts Division I talent and a host of collegiate prospects who will look to change the Raiders' fortunes from a season ago. Let's talk about the prospects to watch for in the upcoming 2024 season.