BUTLER TWP — Butler is battling injuries to its offensive line and a rash of turnovers while coming off a disappointing 45-22 loss at Baldwin.

Add to that list a rough tradition against North Hills, which invades Art Bernardi Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday on Hall of Fame Night.

The Indians have a 30-6 advantage in the all-time series between the teams and have won 22 of the past 24 meetings. North Hills has won the last 14 games in the series, shutting the Golden Tornado out in half of those contests and allowing no more than seven points in any of the teams' last nine meetings.

“North Hills is always strong defensively. They make you earn everything you get,” Densmore said.

Friday's game marks the Northern Eight opener for Butler. The Indians (1-1, 1-0) defeated section foe Fox Chapel, 27-13, to begin the season before committing six turnovers in a 10-7 loss to Plum last week.

“Turnovers were the difference in that game,” North Hills coach Pat Carey said. “We had six and they didn't have any.

“We only have five starters back on both sides of the ball. We're a young team and we're still trying to figure out who we are.”

Butler (0-2) is minus 5 in the turnover/takeaway category through two games and missed numerous tackles last week at Baldwin. The Highlanders scored on their first seven possessions.

“I didn't see that coming,” Densmore said of the defensive struggles. “We didn't play that way against Woodland Hills in our scrimmage and they have outstanding skilled kids.

“We didn't play that way against Knoch or Altoona, either. We're more concerned about getting back to fundamentals and shoring up our own play.”

Despite Butler's play last week and North Hills' recent domination of the Tornado, Carey said Friday's game concerns him.

“You're always concerned with Butler because you know the type of kids you're going up against,” he said. “They play hard-nosed football. It will be important for us to keep momentum on our side.”

The Tornado may have to replace a couple of veteran linemen this week as well. Senior starters Josh Trufley (knee) and Josh McCloskey (lower leg) both left the Baldwin game with injuries. Both are question marks this week.

“We've got guys like (juniors) Wilde Gaiser and Dawson Davenport who have been rotating in and (sophomore) Riley Burdine has looked good in the JV games,” Densmore said. “We'll look at a lot of people.

“We've got some depth there and we'll work it out.”

The Tornado have shown a solid running game as well. Damien Pickett has 52 carries for 283 yards and four touchdowns through two games and most of Butler's 25 first downs have come on the ground.

“We're hoping for a tighter game Friday night so we can utilize our passing game more effectively,” Densmore said. “We need to be able to mix it up against that defense.'

North Hills is led by senior quarterback Jake Elsayed, who has thrown for 278 yards so far this year. Senior running back Nick Santucci had six catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns against Fox Chapel and scored the Indians' lone TD last week.

“Nick Santuicci is a dynamic player. He had 280 all-purpose yards last week,” Carey said. “He's our workhorse. He's our prime running back, plays a corner on defense and is our return guy on special teams.”

Two-way 6-foot-4, 290-pound tackle Jake Buccigrossi — headed to West Virginia University on a football scholarship next year — anchors the interior line for North Hills.

Butler will recognize its 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame induction class — Howard Hammonds, Cliff Diehl, Mickey Haley, Donnie Brown, T.J. McCance and Mike Seybert — on the field before the game. The honorees will accept their induction at a 5 p.m. reception Friday in the high school cafeteria.