BUTLER TWP — Out of the frying pan, into the fire?

Butler football coach Jim Rankin might feel that way as he prepares the Golden Tornado for their 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday at North Allegheny in the Northern Seven Conference opener.

The Golden Tornado are coming off a season-opening 25-0 loss at New Castle — their 15th consecutive regular-season defeat.

The Tigers are coming off a 42-7 trouncing of State College last week and defeated Butler, 44-0, last year.

"We have to keep in mind what we're trying to do here and that's improve this football team," Rankin said. "We have to keep things in perspective. We're going to go out there, execute our plays and see what happens."

Butler managed only two first downs in the first half last week, but the team generated six first downs and more than 100 yards in the second half.

"I thought (quarterback) Jordan Lumley played a good game last week. We have to protect him better," Rankin said. "And David Hohn made a lot of nice plays for us."

Hohn had three catches for 43 yards.

"Dependability is the best ability," Rankin said. "David always does what he's supposed to do. He's very reliable.

"You don't have to be the biggest or the fastest to be a good football player — and that kid is a good football player."

Defensively, Rankin said linebackers Bob Vernick and Tanner Wahler stood out on film from the New Castle game.

The Tornado do have a few injuries. Senior safety and would-be starter Dane Patricelli is out for the season with an ACL injury.

Running back and backup safety Trevor Wideman is out with a shoulder separation but might return in Week 3. Both injuries occurred in the preseason.

"That left us having to juggle a few guys into a critical defensive position against that (New Castle) spread offense," Rankin said. "It hurt us.

"But now we've had some time to adapt to the situation. Guys like Jakob Como, Demetrius Lockley, Zach Rader and Canan Roskovski are working in well there," he added.

Two-way lineman Chris Huselton suffered a sprained ankle Friday and is out this week. Travis Reed moved to tackle and Ben McKnight to left guard to account for Huselton's loss on offense.

Jordan Allen and Adam Steiner are filling in for him at nose guard.

Butler won't face a spread attack this Friday. North Allegheny's forte is a strong running game, led by tailback Alex Papson.

Papson rushed for 171 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers' season opener.

"Their fullback is a good blocker and their quarterback throws the ball well, but they use that running game to set up the pass," Rankin said.

"They do a lot of isolation, blast, bootleg — they want to move the ball on the ground."

Rankin knows the North Allegheny program well. He won 144 games in 18 years there before retiring after the 2004 season.

He chooses not to look at the past — particularly the Tornado's loss last week.

"What's past is past," Rankin said. "We need to create a good plan and execute. We have a great group of kids who are buying into what we're trying to do."