BUTLER TWP— Butler and New Castle will meet on the football field Friday night for the first time in nine years.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Taggart Stadium in New Castle. The last time the teams played each other, the Golden Tornado scored a 38-7 victory in Butler in 1999.

Much has changed since then.

Butler hasn't been to the WPIALplayoffs since 1998. New Castle ended a five-year playoff drought by qualifying in Class AAAlast year, losing to Knoch in the first round.

The Golden Tornado are coming off an 0-9 season while the Red Hurricanes finished 6-4 last year.

Butler last played at Taggart Stadium in 1998, dropping a 17-14 decision.

"We had the opportunity to schedule them for the opener and I'm glad we did,"Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said. "I remember playing them when I was here and it was always a great game.

"(Taggart Stadium) is a great place to play. It's a tough place to play. Getting back to this rivalry will be a great experience for our kids."

Butler and New Castle have a two-year contract, with next year's game ticketed for Art Bernardi Stadium.

"We'll keep playing them as long as they want to play us,"McAnallen said.

The Tornado will play them Friday down a couple of linemen. Offensive tackle John Jaskot and defensive tackle Jake Wachter will miss the game with knee injuries.

Their absence will mean more playing time for juniors Dan Santoro and Bill Hyatt.

Butler's team captains are running back-outside linebacker Tony Fudoli, inside linebacker T.J. Lesniewski and two-way tackle Joe Marak.

"Those guys have been leading the way for us, making the plays in practice,"McAnallen said. "They're all seniors. They know it's their time and they want to be successful."

Butler scrimmaged Woodland Hills and Blackhawk, dropping 3-1 and 2-0 decisions, respectively. McAnallen held out five starters in the second scrimmage to make sure they were healthy for Friday's opener.

While the Tornado handled Woodland Hills' running game, the Wolverines burned them with long passing plays.

"We have to do consistently well against the run and pass,"McAnallen said. "We can't give up the big play. That's been the emphasis in practice this week.

"If teams are going to score on us, we want to make them earn it."

New Castle will be an opponent looking for the big play. The 'Canes utilized spread and flex formations during their two scrimmages.

Last year, New Castle was more of a running team, as quarterback Michael Bongivengo threw for less than 800 yards.

"(Bongivengo) was known as a running quarterback last year, but he's the coach's son, so they've had a lot of time together,"McAnallen said. "I'm sure they'll be throwing a lot more this season.

"I can see why he'd want to open up that offense. They've got a ton of skilled athletes."

McAnallen said running back Keith Keene, slotback Brandon Burley and receiver Ta'shan Jones have been standout performers in the preseason for New Castle.

"Mike Razzano is a two-way starter for them at tight end and outside linebacker, and he's been outstanding,"McAnallen said.

New Castle defeated Hampton 3-0 and Seneca Valley 2-1 in its two scrimmages.

Butler plays at Norwin next week before making its debut on the new artificial turf surface Sept. 12 against Penn Hills.

Construction on the renovated Bernardi Stadium is ongoing, but the new field will be ready in time for the Penn Hills game.

"I'm told we'll be able to practice on it the week leading up to that game,"McAnallen said.