BUTLER TWP— No, it's not a playoff game. But it's a game.

And that's enough to get excited about for the Butler football team.

The Golden Tornado (3-6) end their season with a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday against District 10 playoff-bound Erie Cathedral Prep (8-1) at Art Bernardi Stadium.

"We wanted to play a 10th game and it didn't seem like anybody around the WPIALwas interested for one reason or another,"Golden Tornado coach Garry Cathell said. "We went looking around and found Erie Prep.

"They're an excellent program, a playoff team — so why not?It's another challenge for our kids, a chance to bump somebody off."

The Ramblers bring a seven-game winning streak into the contest and have defeated such notables as Warren Harding (14-13) of Ohio, General McLane (21-7), Erie Strong Vincent (43-34) and Erie McDowell (21-20).

Their lone loss is a 21-7 decision to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in Week 2.

"If we didn't play this week, we were looking at three straight weeks off,"said second-year Cathedral Prep coach Don Holl. "We want to be playing football every week.

"A lot of seniors are playing for Butler and their quarterback is an outstanding athlete. We want to stay sharp and we'll have to be sharp to win this game."

Holl said his team had trouble finding an opponent this week, since playoffs begin in the WPIAL, Ohio and New York.

"We feel fortunate to be making this trip," he said.

Cathedral Prep finished 9-4 last season and has suffered just one losing season in the last 10 years. The Ramblers are 493-281-22 all-time.

Quarterback Dave Roach leads a balanced attack with 904 yards and eight touchdowns passing, 346 yards and six TDs rushing.

Dave Orlando keys the ground game with 641 yards and 15 touchdowns. Akeem Satterfield has 337 yards and four TDs on just 45 carries.

"We spread our running game out among a bunch of people,"Holl said. "Our fullback, Kevin Baker, has been getting a lot of carries lately."

Mike Schupp has 32 catches for 342 yards while Abe Satterfield has pulled in 21 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns.

"They have athletes all over the field,"Cathell said. "But of the films we've seen, all of their games have been played on turf. Now they get to come down and slop around in the mud with us.

"I'm not saying that will serve as a neutralizer, but the mud is something we're used to and I'm not sure they are."

On defense, inside linebacker Mike Parsons paces the Ramblers with 77 tackles and four quarterback sacks. Cathedral Prep averages 27.5 points per game and surrenders only 12 per contest.

Butler has used the no-huddle offense at times this season. Cathedral Prep uses it on a regular basis.

"There's a difference between a no-huddle offense and a hurry-up,"Holl said. "Our kids are comfortable with what we're doing."

Cathell said he will play his regular lineup Friday night.

"We're treating this like any other game,"he said. "We play sophomore and junior varsity games — 14 of those this year — to get the younger kids playing time."

Nick Monteleone needs 50 passing yards to reach 1,500 for the season. Jordan Roycroft needs one reception to reach 40 for the campaign.

Butler has numerous seniors, Monteleone, Aaron Dorondo, Chris Haley, Ian and Cory Haley, Randy Craig, Tyler Kristophel and Joe Titler among them, hoping to play college football next year.

"That makes me feel good as a coach,"Cathell said. "I've grown very close with this group of seniors. I'll work with any one of them who wants to keep playing."

Haley has been a consistent kicker with a number of field goals for Butler in his career. Cathedral Prep kicker Jared Kaufmann has converted 26 of 31 PATs this season, but has not attempted a field goal.

"I just noticed that the other day,"Holl said. "It's not that he can't kick them. We just haven't been in that situation. Maybe it will happen Friday night."