BUTLER TWP — Needing two wins in the final three games to contend for a WPIAL playoff berth, Butler must pursue that task without two key players.

Wingback-defensive back Eli Christy (shoulder) and running back-linebacker Cole Baxter (ribs) will miss Friday's 7:30 p.m. game against North Hills at Art Bernardi Stadium.

"It's not official yet, but I'm presuming both those guys are lost for the season," Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said.

The Golden Tornado (0-6, 0-2) are trying to snap losing streaks of 11 games overall and 12 games in section play.

Besides Christy and Baxter, tight end Brian Jendesky, Butler's leading receiver with 19 catches for 241 yards, might miss the game with a concussion.

"Brian's status is up to the parents and the trainers," McAnallen said. "Concussions are tricky these days.

"We'll have some junior varsity kids in the lineup Friday. Our JVs are 5-1, though, and these kids have been practicing and executing with confidence in practice.

"With younger players, you never know how it's going to go until you start playing. Our numbers are getting a little thin," the coach added.

If Jendesky can't play, Jarrod Oesterling will move into the tight end position, where he played as a sophomore. Oesterling has seven catches for 157 yards this year despite missing time with an injury himself.

Cole Harvey has thrown for 599 yards, three touchdowns and seven interceptions. Last week, he was the Tornado's leading rusher with 58 yards and scored the team's only touchdown at Pine-Richland.

"We relied on Cole to do everything for us last week," McAnallen said. "He was moving guys around in the backfield, getting people in the right position. ... He's doing a great job that way.

"There is a lot on his shoulders right now, given the injuries, but Cole's willing to do whatever we ask."

Jake Thompson, Butler's leading rusher with 56 carries for 216 yards and five touchdowns, will be joined in the backfield by John Barkus, who recently returned from an injury, and sophomore Trevor Wideman, who will replace Christy.

North Hills (3-3, 1-1) is coming off a 21-14 loss at Seneca Valley.

McAnallen knows North Hills well. An Indians assistant coach for 10 years, he said this year's edition is no different from when he was there.

"North Hills runs the ball and plays field position, relying on its defense," McAnallen said. "They threw maybe five passes against Pine-Richland and controlled the clock in the second half (14-3 win).

"They pretty much have five guys who handle the football for them. The trick is that (coach Jack McCurry) can go power-I, spread, trips, whatever, and use those same five guys in all of those formations," he added.

Butler will try playing the field position game Friday night as well, but may need to generate more takeaways to do so. While the Tornado have turned the ball over 15 times through six games, they've taken it away on only six occasions.

"Our kids know the situation. They go on their computers and they can do the math," McAnallen said. "We're staying upbeat and positive here. I told the kids the winner of our game with North Hills is going to the playoffs.

"Nobody's giving up around here."

Harvey was named Butler Quarterback Club Offensive Player of the Week while Adam Steiner got the defensive honor.