North Hills tortures Tornado
BUTLER TWP — North Hills got the best of Butler on a football field for the 15th consecutive year Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
Nick Santucci produced 173 all-purpose yards in the first half alone and the Indians forced three turnovers — returning one for a touchdown — in a 35-7 victory.
“Let's face it ... It's starting to look like the same old story around here,” Butler coach Rob Densmore said.
Only he wasn't talking about the scoreboard.
“We keep saying we're going to fix things and they're not getting fixed,” Densmore admitted. “As coaches, we're going to keep trying to get things to work.
“But some players on this team have to step up and start being coachable. We're developing cases where some kids just aren't listening.”
The Golden Tornado (0-3, 0-1) didn't dent the scoreboard until late in the fourth quarter with the mercy clock running. Justin Johnson scored on a 17-yard run with 4:18 remaining.
North Hills (2-1, 2-0) had a 14-0 lead before the Tornado managed a first down. Jake Elsayed's 12-yard touchdown pass to Brice Walker capped a 55-yard drive on the Indians' first possession.
Santucci's 32-yard punt return set up his own 2-yard run to cap a 38-yard march the next time the Indians had the ball.
“We made some plays in the kicking game tonight that helped us set up some things,” North Hills coach Pat Carey said.
Butler began its final three possessions from inside its own 15-yard line. The Tornado moved the ball and ate up clock on two of those possessions. Penalties near midfield bogged down the first drive and an interception by Owen Davis at the North Hills 40 ended the second.
Santucci caught a 30-yard touchdown pass deep down the middle for North Hills' third score and a 21-0 lead at intermission. Nate Zimmerman jumped a screen pass and returned the interception 20 yards to paydirt in the third quarter.
Zimmerman's 53-yard punt return set up a brief 23-yard scoring drive to give the visitors a 35-0 lead.
“This game felt good because we're a little nicked up on the offensive line,” Carey said. “I know Butler's been playing with some key guys out, too, and that's tough to do in this league.”
While the Tornado got receiver Kelley Kuharic back for the first time this season, they played Friday without top lineman Josh McCloskey. Three other players — Connor Frost, Trevor Derian and Christian Sequete — left with injuries Friday.
“We're playing without some key people, but that's not an excuse. That's part of football,” Densmore said. “Other guys have to step in to those spots. That's what good football teams do.
“Some of those guys aren't as good as the guys they're replacing. Still, we have to find a way to hold the fort.
“We tackled better tonight, but that doesn't matter if we don't stop people,” Densmore added.
Damien Pickett paced Butler offensively with 19 carries for 85 yards. Santucci rushed for 65 yards, caught passes for 64 and had 65 combined yards on a kick and punt return.
He touched the ball only twice in the second half.
“He's a dynamic player. A kid like that ... We have to keep him healthy,” Carey said. “It's a long season.”
Noah Alston recovered a fumble near midfield to set up Butler's lone touchdown drive.
