What Bethel Park hit last week was merely a bump in the road.

It was more like a pot-hole, actually - and coach Jeff Metheny hopes he doesn't hit it again.

The Blackhawks (5-1, 3-1) host Butler (2-4, 0-4) for homecoming at 7:30 p.m. Friday, coming off a 37-0 shellacking at the hands of unbeaten rival Upper St. Clair.

"We didn't start out well against an awfully good football team and things snowballed on us," Metheny said. "I mean, nobody played well for us.

"We got back to work this week, corrected our mistakes and hope to get back on the right path Friday night."

For the Blackhawks, that path is a steady, versatile offense that possesses the football and forces the opposition to play catch-up.

Despite returning only three starters offensively and defensively, Bethel Park began the season with wins over Norwin (35-13), Penn-Trafford (28-27), Seneca Valley (42-14), North Allegheny (35-21) and Shaler (23-13).

Eric Studt, a 275-pound senior tackle, joins guard Aaron Talbott and tight end Alex Wojdowski as the only returning full-time starters for Metheny on offense.

"We're playing a lot of seniors, but most of them are first-year starters," the coach said.

Studt is an outstanding student being recruited by Ivy League schools. Metheny doesn't anticipate other seniors on the roster getting any scholarship offers.

Quarterback Jeff Stewart has thrown for 771 yards while completing 60 percent of his passes. Tailback Justin Pratt has rushed for 703 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

Fullback Jon Enyeart has added more than 300 yards on the ground. Tim Picard has been Stewart's favorite receiver.

"But Jeff's done a really nice job of spreading the ball around," Metheny said.

Bethel Park averaged 392 yards and 32 points per game offensively in its five wins. The team was limited to 108 yards and six first downs by Upper St. Clair.

The Blackhawks play a 50 defense with Studt at nose guard. Inside linebacker Matt Ogden and outside linebacker Brian Warholak join him as returning starters.

Metheny said Nathan Bucklew and Dylan August have performed solidly in the secondary.

Place-kicker Ethan Talbott has field goal range up to 38 yards.

"Our special teams have been solid and they will have to be Friday, because Butler excels in that area," Metheny said. "I'm anticipating a close game and that makes their kicker (Chris Haley) dangerous.

"That kid can kick the ball into the end zone and he can hit long field goals. We don't want to let it come down to that."

Based on recent history, it might.

Bethel Park edged Butler, 28-24, last year at Art Bernardi Stadium. The majority of games played between these teams have been decided in the fourth quarter.

"Butler always plays us tough and this game won't be any different," Metheny said.

Facing a tough quarterback in the Golden Tornado's Nick Monteleone won't be any different, either.

"It seems like we're facing a tough quarterback every week," Metheny said. "I've never seen a year like this. I don't know if it's the summer passing camps or what, but everybody's got a good quarterback.

"Fortunately, we have one, too."