SHALER TWP — Despite not finishing above .500 since 2000, Shaler's football team has reached the WPIAL playoffs four times in the past six years.

Don't expect coach Jacque DeMatteo to apologize for it, either.

"I'm not saying we deserved to be there all those times, but we didn't make the system," DeMatteo said. "We won the games we had to in order to get there, and that's an accomplishment.

"We haven't done very much once we've gotten there, and that's something we'd like to change."

The Titans (4-1, 1-0) appear to be headed for a winning season this year, especially after knocking off North Hills, 14-8, in their homecoming game Saturday afternoon.

Junior quarterback R.J. Palso directed Shaler to that victory despite being involved in an automobile accident last Friday.

"He needed some stitches in a knee, but, thankfully, he was OK,"DeMatteo said.

Palso marked the Titans' second comeback story of the season. Fullback-linebacker Jim Kohan returned this year after tearing knee ligaments in Shaler's opener last year and missing the entire 2005 campaign.

Shaler wound up finishing 3-7 a year ago, including a 60-13 loss to McKeesport in the first round of the playoffs.

"Jim's return has been very uplifting to this team,"DeMatteo said. "You know he's around because he's always yapping.

"He's been playing mostly linebacker this year and has made an impact there."

Shaler owns wins over Baldwin (10-0), Hempfield (41-28), Canon-McMillan (28-21) and North Hills. The Titans' lone loss is a 28-14 decision to Plum in Week 3.

Kyle Stagel scored on a 21-yard run with 4:50 left to win the North Hills game. Running back Jon Fitzpatrick has rushed for 238 yards and Mike Francis has 207 yards on the ground.

Palso entered the North Hills game with 19 completions in 43 attempts for 215 yards and four touchdowns. Curtis McGriff is Shaler's main receiving threat.

"We have a lot of juniors playing this year,"DeMatteo said. "I am surprised at how well we've done to this point. But this team seemed to develop chemistry right away."

Shaler enjoyed recent success against Butler, defeating the Golden Tornado 21-17, 19-11 and 39-22 the past three years.

"We've had some good games over the years because they're a tough team,"DeMatteo said. "They always get up to play us, so we better be ready to go."

DeMatteo described the Titans' special teams play as "consistent" thus far. Shaler has not allowed a touchdown on a kickoff or punt in 2006.

While Shaler has not had a winning season since 2000, Butler has not finished above .500 since posting a 6-4 record in 1997.

"I'm not going to say that the best athletes are always at North Allegheny and North Hills and the crappy ones are at Shaler and Butler,"DeMatteo said. "History has a way of playing mind games with kids.

"Shaler hasn't put out strong football teams in recent years. We're trying to overcome that. Once you get past the negativity, everything will eventually take care of itself. Fortunately, our community seems to be supporting the kids, and that's important."