Send the seniors out victorious and send a positive message toward next season.

Norwin and Butler have the same agenda as they close the 2004 football season with a 7 p.m. kickoff tonight at Art Bernardi Stadium.

Both coaches know each other. Both teams have one win and both are hungry for another.

"It was a fun win last week (33-15 over Seneca Valley) and we want to do it again," Butler coach Garry Cathell said. "Despite our record, these kids have played some good football this year.

"This week's practices have been no different from any other. We won't quit going hard until the final whistle of the final play Thursday."

Norwin's lone win this year is a 14-7 triumph over Hempfield in Week 3. The Knights have been outscored 194-44 during a six-game losing streak since.

"Their one win is against a team that beat us," Cathell said. "I'm sure they're coming to our place believing they can beat us."

Norwin coach Dan Conwell applied for the Butler job along with Cathell three years ago. When Cathell got the position, he offered Conwell a spot on his staff.

Conwell is a 1981 Peters Township graduate, where Cathell coached and taught for a number of years.

"I taught Dan's sister, got to know him and we've been good friends for years," Cathell said.

Conwell declined the offer to coach with Cathell and maintained his position as head coach at Holy Name in Parma, Ohio. He took the Norwin job this year after the Knights went 1-9 last season.

Norwin has not scored two touchdowns - or more than 17 points - in a game since 2002.

"Points have been hard to come by," Conwell said. "This program lost to McKeesport in the WPIAL semifinals in 1999 and it's been down ever since.

"New facility, new coach, new system … We're trying to build back up, but it will take a little time."

The Knights no longer employ the run-and-shoot they used for years under former coach Tim McCabe. Conwell switched to a multiple I that was stifled when junior quarterback T.J. Salopek - a returning starter - was lost for the season to a shoulder injury in Week 3.

Josh Seabol, another junior, runs the offense now and has thrown for more than 500 yards in four starts.

Seniors Zach Miller (600 yards and four touchdowns) and Rege Flowers (350 receiving yards, two TDs) lead the Knights' attack.

"We play in a tough league like Butler and we've been behind a lot early in games," Conwell said. "That limits your options offensively."

Special teams have been a problem for the Knights. They've had two kickoffs and two punts returned for touchdowns against them.

Butler will play its final game without safety Jesse Binus, all-purpose back Bobby Ridley or tackle Adam Pritts. All three missed the Seneca Valley game with injuries as well.

Bob Alexander needs 98 yards rushing to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the year. He has scored 11 touchdowns.

"It's important to us that Bobby get a good shot at that yardage," Cathell said. "We plan on trying to run the football.

"Our offense last week was what we've been striving to attain. Run effectively enough that you only have to throw 10 to 15 passes, then complete a high percentage of them."

Nick Monteleone has thrown for 1,115 yards this season, but has only four TD passes to go with 11 interceptions.

Receiver Noah Hartung and tight end Josh Wachter have combined for 40 catches and 551 yards.

Norwin has allowed 254 points this season - 28 per game. Butler has allowed an average of 30 points per game.

"They seem to be coming together lately," Conwell said of Butler. "I don't know if we can say that."