WEXFORD — The WPIAL football schedule makers didn't exactly cut North Allegheny a break this season.

The Tigers (3-2, 2-2) began the 2014 campaign with games against Seneca Valley, Pine-Richland, Central Catholic and Upper St. Clair.

“I can't recall anybody being dealt a hand like that right out of the gate,” North Allegheny coach Art Walker Jr. said. “But we knew what was in store for us, so we worked particularly hard in preseason camp and in our scrimmages.”

After splitting those first four games — including a 31-14 win over Upper St. Clair in Week 4 — the Tigers throttled winless Shaler by a 55-24 count last week.

Now they come to Butler (2-3, 1-2) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

So is North Allegheny breathing a sigh of relief?

No chance — even with a 10-game winning streak against the Golden Tornado.

“Every year is different,” Walker said. “New players, new season ... What happened last year or the year before has nothing to do with now.

“This is an important conference game for both teams. That was a tough loss (29-22 to Seneca Valley) for Butler last week. That may have been the best they've played all season. They're back at home again and they'll be ready.

“They've played hard in every game. They don't give up,” Walker added.

North Allegheny finished 7-4 last season, ending a run of three consecutive WPIAL and two straight PIAA championships. The Tigers returned only three players with ample experience on defense this year.

Senior linebacker Layne Skundrich (37 tackles, 4 sacks) is a third-year starter. Clay Byerly is a returning starter in the defensive backfield, 200-pound Paul Blendinger a returnee at defensive end.

“That's one veteran guy along each line of the defense and they've done a good job of bringing the others along,” Walker said.

Offensively, quarterback Jeff Clemens has completed 40 of 86 passes for 536 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception. He's also rushed for 321 yards and three TDs.

Clemens tore his ACL in Week 9 last season.

“He worked hard to get himself medically cleared to participate in (preseason) camp,” Walker said. “Jeff wears a brace on that knee, but he's functioning at 100 percent for us.”

Josh Bergman has rushed fpr 321 yards and four TDs and has caught eight passes for 107 yards. Byerly leads the team with 18 catches for 242 yards.

Seth Mancuso, a soccer player, has booted two field goals and is 13 of 14 on PATs. Riley Trueman, who has three interceptions defensively, handles the punting chores.

“We faced a good quarterback from Pine-Richland in Week 2 and he threw for a lot of yards on us,” Walker said. “In week 3, Central Catholic took the running game away from us and we learned how important it is to be able to run the football.

“We've worked on those areas. Those early games were tough, but they've made us stronger.”