BUTLER TWP — Butler wants to create some positive memories.

Canon-McMillan wants to erase a negative one.

The two teams clash in a mutual Quad County Conference and regular season football finale at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

The Big Macs (3-5, 2-5) clinch a WPIAL Class 6A playoff spot with a win. They also get in if Norwin loses to Seneca Valley.

“We don't even want to think of that (Norwin) scenario,” Canon-McMillan coach Mike Evans said. “We want to go in on a win, 100 percent.

“Believe me, Butler has our respect. We went up there last year and lost. We were shooting for a second straight .500 season and didn't get it. That didn't feel good for us.”

The Golden Tornado (0-9, 0-7) are coming off a 31-14 loss at Hempfield, a game in which they fell behind 21-0 in the first half.

“It was another slow start on the road and it cost us,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “Some of our kids really took that loss hard and I want them to feel that way.

“Losing should hurt somewhat. We'd love to get our seniors a win Friday night, but it will be a daunting task.”

Evans emphasized that Canon-McMillan was in its games against Quad County powers Pine-Richland, North Allegheny and Central Catholic this year. Christy said the Big Macs “are maybe a notch below those three, but not much.”

The Big Macs trailed NA 24-21 in the third quarter, were tied 7-7 with Pine in the second and would have led Central 14-7, “but we had a touchdown called back on a phantom call ... and I don't usually talk about officials,” Evans said.

Canon-McMillan quarterback Jon Quinque has thrown for 926 yards, six touchdowns and only two interceptions. Drew Engel has 25 catches for 374 yards, Josh O'Hare 798 yards rushing on just 92 carries.

“They bring a balanced attack to the table, that's for sure,” Christy said.

Engel lines up at receiver and running back, has played some tight end, and is a linebacker on defense.

“He can play anywhere,” Evans said. “He rushed for 292 against Norwin. Drew's got a tremendous attuitude.”

Defensively, inside linebacker Alec Hendl and end David Cooper lead the Big Macs.

“Hendl is our hardest hitter. When I hear a pop on the field, it's usually him,” Evans said. “Cooper plays with a motor. He has 19 sacks in the past two years, 20 tackles for loss tyhis year. He's a disruptive force.”

Butler quarterback Kyler Callihan threw a pair of touchdown passes last week — to Chris Mertz and Logan Donnel — after the Tornado had thrown one TD toss in the previous two years.

Chrsty is also encouraged by the fact that three junior two-way linemen — Nate Cornibe, Dennis Goodwine and Anthony Scardina — will be backnext season.

“We've got a number of guys coming back next year who we can build with,” the coach said. “But we're not looking at Friday as Senior Night. We're looking at this as Senior Week.

“This is the last week our seniors will be on the practice field with their brotherhood. We want to make it special for them. And we want to get every senior on our roster time on the field Friday night, whether it be on offense, defense or special teams.

“We're hoping they can make a positive memory for themselves in this game,” Christy said.

Evans is well aware.

“I'm always wary of another team's Senior Night. It's a game those kids will remember the rest of their lives,” he said. “Butler's line may be the biggest we've faced all season and we are not a big football team.

“I know they'll be ready for us.”

Butler owns a 4-3 lead in the season series, including last year's 28-26 win in Christy's first game as head coach.