BUTLER TWP - To put it bluntly, Butler's back is against the wall.

The Golden Tornado (2-4, 0-4) will try to break a four-game losing streak Friday when they travel to Bethel Park (5-1, 3-1) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

"We've got three games left and we pretty much have to win them all," Butler coach Garry Cathell said.

"Bethel Park has clinched a playoff spot, it's their homecoming game - Maybe they'll be a little distracted. Either way, they're good and it won't be easy going down there and getting a win."

The Tornado will be going down there more healthy than they've been in recent weeks. Running back Bobby Alexander, tackle Randy Craig and two-way lineman Marcus Hough all are expected back from injuries. Hough will see action primarily on defense.

Defensive back-receiver Ian Haley, who hasn't played all year because of a high ankle sprain, might return as well.

Tight end-linebacker Noah Hartung, still not ready to play all the time on both sides of the ball, continues to heal from a swollen knee.

"Noah's getting more involved in the passing game again, and that's good to see," Cathell said. "Aaron Dorondo's been doing a good job at tight end, too."

Butler would be in much better shape for a WPIAL playoff spot had it not been for narrow losses of 21-17 at Shaler three weeks ago and a 27-24 double-overtime loss to North Allegheny last week.

The Tornado had a narrow lead late in both games. They lost at Shaler because they had to settle for a field goal. They lost to North Allegheny because they couldn't convert one.

Butler owns only one Quad North win - 33-15 over Seneca Valley last year - in the past two seasons.

"We had high snaps on two of the field goal attempts we missed," Cathell said of the NA game. "Andy (Goettler) pulled the first one down and we missed the kick. The second one got through his hands.

"On the kick they blocked, Chris (Haley) put the tee down a yard too close. It was six yards behind the line of scrimmage instead of seven. We noticed that on the films right away."

Joe Titler serves as the long snapper for Butler on special teams.

"That unit has been as consistent as any phase of our football team," Cathell said. "That night was just one of those things. If we had it to do over, I'd play it the same way."

While Bethel Park features a balanced attack - its quarterback has thrown for more than 700 yards and its tailback has rushed for more than 700 - the Tornado have evolved into a passing team.

Nick Monteleone has thrown for 962 yards while Andy Strutt has 23 catches for 329 yards and Jordan Roycroft 20 catches for 313.

Alexander had 68 carries for 226 yards and five touchdowns before injuring a knee in the Shaler game. Including quarterback sacks, Butler has netted 73 yards rushing on 62 attempts since losing Alexander.

"I'd still like to run the ball more often than we throw it," Cathell said. "But injuries have forced us to go this way.

"You're going to get a couple of dropped passes and a few sacks when you throw as often as we have."

Monteleone has been sacked 14 times in the past two games.

Butler is playing at Bethel Park for the first time since 2002, when it dropped a 21-6 decision to the Black Hawks.

Bethel Park defeated Butler 28-24 at Art Bernardi Stadium last year and suffered a 42-14 loss to the Tornado here in 2003.