BUTLER TWP — It's back to work for Butler.

The Golden Tornado football team (0-4, 0-2) heads to Seneca Valley (2-2, 2-1) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday at NexTier Stadium. Butler is coming off a 30-20 home loss to Shaler that snapped the latter's 34-game losing streak.

“One of the toughest things to do after a game like that is to get out of bed and show up here Saturday morning,” Butler coach Rob Densmore said. “But our kids did that.

“We had a good (weight) lift, a good agility session. These kids are already working hard to bounce back.”

The winner of this week's game receives the Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy. The Tornado have not gotten their hands on the trophy since 2006, when they posted a 14-0 win over the Raiders.

SV has reeled off eight straight wins in the series since, including a 29-22 triumph last year.

“That's a game we could have won,” Densmore recalled. “It's a rivalry game. Our kids are always up for it. It's a big deal to them.

“If we play mistake-free football, I believe we can compete with, and even beat Seneca Valley.”

Playing mistake-free football has been an issue, however. Through four games, the Tornado are minus 11 in the turnover/takeaway category.

“It's all about ball security,” Densmore said. “The thing is, we haven't had that problem in practice. It's hard to work on something when it hasn't been a problem in practice.

“It is frustrating. Without the turnovers, we're 2-2 right now.”

Butler did register a few positives in the loss to Shaler. Sophomore Luke Michalek ran an effective Wildcat package, Shad Stepp threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Kelley Kuharic and the Tornado battled back from a 23-6 first-half deficit.

The latter point isn't lost on Densmore.

“Falling behind 23-6 to a team you're supposed to beat ... Historically, Butler teams have quit in that situation, bagged it, not cared about what happens at that point,” he said.

“These kids never quit. They fought back into the game. And they took the loss hard. They showed how much they cared.”

Damien Pickett continues to lead the Tornado offensively, rushing for 442 yards and five touchdowns. He has 597 all-purpose yards on the campaign.

Stepp has thrown for 226 yards on 24 completions, but no Butler player has more than three pass receptions.

Defensively, Darrien Pickett leads the team with 19 solo tackles. Justin Johnson has 16, Tim Vernick 14.

“Defensively, we're going to have to wrap up and make sure tackles,” Densmore said. “Seneca Valley's quarterback has the ability to pull the ball down and run with it when nobody's open.

“If we don't play disciplined and execute well, this game could get away from us. But we're capable of competing if we don't hurt ourselves.”

Jack Cook has thrown for 654 yards and seven touchdowns for the Raiders. He's also rushed for 268 yards. Cody Boozel has 12 catches for 190 yards and three touchdowns.

Hank Royal leads the SV ground attack with 303 yards, including 160 in last week's 31-10 triumph over North Hills.

Butler is battling more than Seneca Valley this week. The Tornado are fighting negativity surrounding the program from outside forces.

“We've talked to the kids about that,” Densmore said. “Kids will be kids in school. From (fellow students), it (negativity) is gonna happen. What we can't have are administrators and adults joining in.

“People don't realize the time, effort and heart these players are giving to this team and in representing their school. They should be respected for that. That's what they deserve.”