WEXFORD — Art Walker Jr. is in his third season as North Allegheny's head football coach.

The Tigers want to reach the WPIALClass AAAA championship game for the first time since 1998 — and they appear to be right on target.

Unbeaten North Allegheny ventures into Art Bernardi Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday against Butler having outscored its first seven opponents by an average score of 32-7. That includes thrashings of traditional Quad-A powers Woodland Hills and Upper St. Clair by scores of 47-0 and 43-19.

"We've got a lot of seniors and returning starters in the lineup, but there's a number of juniors and first-year players in there, too,"Walker said. "We have a pretty good mix in that regard."

They have a pretty good team, too.

NAfinished 7-4 a year ago and reached the WPIALsemifinal round. Since edging Bethel Park 19-16 in their season opener, nobody has challenged the Tigers on the scoreboard.

They are coming off a convincing 27-7 triumph over previously unbeaten Shaler, as running back Karl DeCiantis rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown. He has 762 yards and 13 TDs on the season.

"He's our bread-and-butter guy,"Walker said. "But he has a lot of help."

Quarterback Geoff Greco rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns against Shaler. He rushed for 95 yards the week before in a 21-7 victory over Erie McDowell.

Fellow quarterback Mike Locke threw for 213 yards — 193 in the first half — and two touchdowns in a 44-13 triumph over Seneca Valley. He threw two TDpasses to Greco in the win over Upper St. Clair.

"It's not much secret that Geoff is more of a running quarterback and Mike is more of a pure drop-back passer,"Walker said. "We use them as game situations or game plans dictate.

"People think we alternate them by series or even by play. ... That's just not true. There is no real formula there."

Senior twin brothers Zach and Corey Watts share time at fullback for the Tigers. But the true strength of the NAoffense lies in its offensive line.

Junior tackles Ryan Schleiper and Mike Vuono stand 6-feet-6, 260 pounds and 6-3, 275, respectively. Senior guards Austin Fedell and Mike Passodelis are 6-2, 265 and 6-3, 220. Senior center Scott Linkowski is 6-4, 215.

Walker doesn't care that his team is coming off a battle of unbeatens in front of 10,000 fans and is hitting the road to face a winless opponent.

"You're always concerned about your kids' approach entering any game," he said. "We have to respect every team we play. Butler's young, but they're not afraid to get in there and play physical football.

"This is a road game for us and our goal is to bring a win home. We're going up there to accomplish that goal."

Walker describes his defense as "a work in progress." Kyle Butson has a handful of interceptions as a senior cornerback while the linebacking crew of Ted Connolly and Mario Posteraro on the outside, and Alex Calder and Corey Watts on the inside is solid.

"Ted Connolly is the captain of our basketball team,"Walker said. "DeCiantis is an outstanding wrestler, Greco is a versatile athlete. ... I disagree with the prevalent theory today that a kid should focus on one sport.

"All of our coaches work well with each other here in encouraging our kids to play different sports. It's beneficial to the kid and it helps all of the athletic programs thrive."

The Tigers excel on special teams as well. Senior Justin Facer is a first-year kicker from the soccer team who has hit a few field goals.

Greco has put six kickoffs into the end zone and is a three-year starter at punter, where he was a second-team all-state performer a year ago.

Butler's last win over North Allegheny was 21-14 in 2003. Since then, the Tigers have defeated the Golden Tornado 45-14, 27-24 in overtime and 31-17.