Although the recent success of the Seneca Valley football program is something to be proud of, coach Don Holl said it is a good and bad thing.
“You can look back at that (and be proud), but the bad thing is that none of that carries over to this season,” he said. “Right now, everyone is 0-0.”
Under Holl, the Raiders have vanquished the aura of perennial loser and become a team that has won 27 games the past three seasons while losing just seven times.
The Raiders have been to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and advanced past the first round each time.
“We are focused on the process,” Holl said. “There is a reason you win a lot, and it has to do with the guys breaking out and participating. It is about learning and commitment.
“If you stay with the process and prepare, the rest takes care of itself.”
While Holl has coached a lot of football, he said it is a rare thing to have a starting quarterback for two consecutive seasons.
However, Holl had that luxury in two of the past three seasons. Jordan Brown started during the 2011 and '12 seasons, and now, Holl's son T.J. will be back under center for his senior season.
With Holl, the Raiders have a dual-threat quarterback who can keep plays alive.
He threw for 2,145 yards and 10 scores and ran for 719 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
“We have 16 starters back and a lot of senior leaders,” T.J. Holl said. “It should be exciting, like last year.”
With a trio of talented receivers in Brad Hensler, Corbin Kessler and Eric Mrkonja, Holl has plenty of targets, which should open the running game for tailback Mason Dehart.
Both Dehart and Holl will benefit from the talents of senior Tyler Hudanick, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound left tackle who Don Holl said has 20 scholarship offers.
“We will have continuity on the line,” Don Holl said.
“Our center and guards all played a decent amount last year. They are a very strong and physical group.”
While the offense still has the players to make splash plays, the defense has good speed top to bottom, the coach said.
“Our defensive line is extremely athletic and moves well,” Don Holl said. “Our defense will really be the key.”
Another plus Don Holl couldn't overlook is the fact he will have kicker Chad Izenas back for a third season.
