Butler is not alone.

While the school continues to try rebuilding its football program, it has brethren in the state of Indiana.

Retired Butler Eagle managing editor Mark Mann recently dropped an article on my desk detailing the state of the Shelbyville High School varsity football team.

Shelbyville did not win a game this season. The Golden Bears scored only one touchdown all year — a 95-yard kick return in their season opener. Shelbyville was outscored this season 365-7. Among its shutout losses were scores of 69-0, 85-0, 50-0, 67-0 and 42-0.

The Golden Bears were scheduled to play defending Indiana Class 5A state champion New Palestine. That team had a 60-game regular season winning streak — second-longest in state history — coming into that game.

The mismatch was so apparent that both schools agreed the game should not be played. Both teams found new opponents to play. Shelbyville was going to take on Class A North Decatur.

But when New Palestine's potential opponent backed out of the game, Shelbyville decided to play the state champs after all.

The mismatch was on.

The score was 56-0 at halftime. Shelbyville did not register a first down in the first half. Due to the mercy clock in the second half, the final score was 63-0.

Butler has had games like that.

Shelbyville players said they “hear stuff at school. You guys don't have a chance. You guys suck.”

Butler players have gone through that.

Shelbyville seniors said they want to “lay he ground for the future guys so they don't quit, so they will stick in the program and we can hopefully get more numbers out and build a competitive team.”

Butler's team had seniors like that.

Shelbyville head coach Mike Clevenger believes his program can get turned around through an “all-in” mentality that includes hitting the weights, conditioning and a united, positive vision of the future.

Butler coach Eric Christy believes the same thing.

Shelbyville's football program had success years ago, putting up memorable victories and postseason success. So has Butler's.

Shelbyville believes such success can return. So can Butler's.

The Tornado's 2019 season was not as rough as Shelbyville's. But it was just as winless.

Shelbyville lined up and played New Palestine with limited numbers and virtually no hope of a miracle upset.

Butler did the same against the likes of North Allegheny, Central Catholic and Pine-Richland.

Growing pains can indeed be painful. But you can't grow at all if the seed's not planted.

Go, Shelbyville, go.

Grow, Butler, grow.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle