WEXFORD - Call it the Newman Stadium Nightmare.

Butler suffered six turnovers, was outrushed 398-26 and had a punt blocked in a 45-14 football loss Friday night at North Allegheny.

The Golden Tornado's first four possessions resulted in three interceptions and the blocked punt as the host Tigers built a 17-0 halftime lead from Butler mistakes.

"I don't know what to say," Butler coach Garry Cathell said. "(Quarterback Nick Monteleone) misread one play for a pick, another was deflected off one of our receivers."

The victory gives North Allegheny (2-4, 1-3) a leg up in the battle for the sixth playoff berth in the Quad North.

"We needed this," NA coach Jim Rankin said. "Our kids played well tonight. I'm a little disappointed we didn't build a bigger lead in the first half, given our opportunities, but we finally put a game together."

Butler (0-6, 0-4) took the opening kickoff and picked up a couple of first downs through the air. On a third-down pass from the NA 43, however, John Woodruff intercepted Monteleone.

NA's Bill Knight got loose for a 39-yard run and Woodruff broke free for an 18-yard burst, keying a 5-play, 63-yard drive that put the Tigers on the board.

Moments later, Knight broke in and blocked an Andrew Goettler punt at the Tornado 10-yard line, setting up Rich Doyle's 25-yard field goal.

Butler's next possession resulted in a Nick Henderson interception at the Tornado 33. But Tom Gaul recovered a North Allegheny fumble at the Butler 17-yard line to thwart that scoring chance.

Knight intercepted a pass at the Butler 19 on the first play of the second quarter. Two plays later, Andrew McMillen scored on a 6-yard run for a 17-0 NA lead.

"We were lucky it wasn't worse than that," Cathell admitted. "We had four turnovers in the first half. You can't do that against anybody."

Butler's lone scoring opportunity of the first half resulted in Chris Haley coming up short on a 42-yard field goal attempt.

The Tigers quickly put the game away in the third quarter when they took the kickoff to begin the period and marched 72 yards in nine plays. Craig Howarth got the touchdown on a 5-yard run.

Late in the quarter, Knight scampered 87 yards for a touchdown and a 31-0 lead. Knight led the Tigers ground attack with 171 yards on 10 carries.

"That was an impressive run," Rankin said. "He made a nice cutback there."

Butler scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Jesse Binus recovered a fumble at the NA 17 to set up Monteleone's 2-yard TD run with 9:20 left in the game.

Monteleone threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Ridley with 4:13 remaining.

Monteleone threw for 159 yards on the night.

"Last year we became one-dimensional running the ball," Cathell said. "Now we're one-dimensional throwing the ball. Being one-dimensional doesn't work in this league.

"I have to keep my kids' heads in the game. We need to win two of our last three. It comes down to that."

North Allegheny got three of its injured players back Friday - McMillen, R.J. Parks and Steve Guzzetti. Guzzetti had three quarterback sacks.

"McMillen left the game early with leg cramps and so did Woodruff," Rankin said. "But we're getting healthy. It's been a rough stretch for this team, and our kids could have thrown in the towel.

"They've stayed with it. Now we're trying to get it done and get into the playoffs."

Notes:

Butler's leading running back, Bob Alexander, has a separated shoulder and did not suit up Friday night. … Butler has been outscored 129-30 over its last three trips to Newman Stadium. … Ian Haley intercepted a pass for the Tornado. … Ridley had 138 all-purpose yards. … Butler hosts Bethel Park Friday night.