In a big hole
BUTLER TWP — Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse — it did.
North Allegheny scored touchdowns on five of its first six possessions, the mercy rule kicked in at halftime and Butler mustered minus 10 yards of offense in a 44-0 football loss to the Tigers Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
Missing four injured two-way starters, the Golden Tornado (0-8, 0-4) managed two first downs and never advanced the ball beyond their own 35-yard line.
"We weren't going to look past this game. We respect every team we play," North Allegheny coach Art Walker Jr. said. "It didn't matter what the records were. We came up here to play a football game."
None of NA's first four scoring drives took more than three plays.
None of the Tigers' first-team skilled players were on the field in the second half. NA (6-2, 4-0) had a 37-0 lead at intermission.
Butler surrendered a safety in the second quarter when a punt snap from the Tornado 10-yard line sailed over the punter's head and out of the end zone.
"Our offensive line had two seniors starting, the defensive line three," Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said. "The rest of our fronts were junior varsity kids.
"North Allegheny is a high-caliber Quad-A football team. They controlled everything up front."
NA's Alex Papson had eight carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers had 14 different players carry the football.
"Everyone who dressed for us tonight played," Walker said. "It benefits a program so much when you can do that. The younger kids work just as hard and it's nice to see them rewarded."
Butler played Jordan Lumley at quarterback, lining up Cole Harvey at wingback or receiver in a variety of offensive sets.
The Tornado won the coin toss to start the game, deferred, then tried an onside kick that North Allegheny recovered.
"When you've been struggling to move the ball, you try things," McAnallen said. "I thought we might be able to throw the ball on that team, but we didn't have much chance to get anything going."
Butler threw three passes, completing them all, but gained no yardage. The Tornado lost ground on 11 of 28 running plays.
North Allegheny attempted only four passes all night — including a 21-yard touchdown toss to Dan Slivka — and the Tigers reserves didn't allow Butler a first down in the second half.
"They have 70 or 80 kids dedicated and committed to that program," McAnallen said. "Football is the No. 1 sport at that school. Until that happens here, nothing is going to change."
The Tornado travel to Seneca Valley next Friday to play for the Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy.
"I'm meeting with our seniors tomorrow to see who still wants to play," McAnallen said. "Anyone who's interested in going down there and beating that team, I'll take 'em."
