WEXFORD — North Allegheny honored its 1990 WPIAL and state championship football team Friday night at Newman Stadium.

Twenty years later, the Tigers are still rolling.

Alex Papson rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns in 2Z\x quarters as NA shut out Butler, 48-0, in the Northern Seven Conference opener.

The loss marked the Golden Tornado's 16th consecutive regular season defeat. Butler hasn't won a conference game since 2006.

North Allegheny's special teams scored two touchdowns and set up the first score of the night. The Tigers' offense scored on its first five possessions.

First-year Butler coach Jim Rankin mentored the 1990 NA team that featured three 1,000-yard rushers, a 1,000-yard passer and set numerous team records. The 1990 squad is North Allegheny's only state title football team.

"It was fun being out there and seeing a lot of those guys again," Rankin said of the pre-game ceremony in which he took part. "That was a special time. But I had no nostalgic feelings (after the ceremony).

"I enjoy the Butler kids. I love working with them. I feel badly that I haven't made us more competitive at this point," he added.

While Butler is still looking for its first points of the 2010 season, NA has outscored its first two opponents 90-7.

The Golden Tornado fumbled away the opening kickoff, with NA's Matt Adams recovering at the Butler 18-yard line. Papson scored on a 2-yard run six plays later.

Alex Greenblatt booted field goals of 24 and 27 yards, Papson scored on a 47-yard run and Mike Buchert found Rob Kugler for a 14-yard touchdown pass as the Tigers took a 27-0 lead into halftime.

Butler's deepest penetration all night was the NA 39. Quarterback Zach Rader was sacked on consecutive plays from there, however, losing the ball on the latter play. Seth Marx recovered the fumble for the Tigers.

Rader was playing in place of senior Jordan Lumley, who sat out Friday's game with a concussion. Rader was sacked seven times.

"We felt like we could throw the football, but we need better protection to do it," Rankin said.

Three other Tornado starters suffered injuries during the week and did not play.

North Allegheny had 322 yards of offense in the first half alone.

James Kleinhample returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards to extend the lead. The mercy clock began running after Papson scored on a 23-yard run with 6:30 left in the third quarter, ending his night.

Papson has 411 yards and seven touchdowns rushing in NA's first two games.

"He's a third-year starter and he's been on this team since he was a freshman," NA coach Art Walker Jr. said. "Alex knows this system and what we're trying to do out there better than anybody."

North Allegheny's final touchdown came on a blocked punt that was returned 33 yards.

"We were set up for a safe return on that play. We weren't looking to block that punt," Walker said. "Our two edge rushers just got good penetration.

"Coach Rankin taught me a lot about coaching when I broke in at Central Catholic and lost to his NA teams. I have a lot of respect for that man. I owe a lot of my success to him."

Trevor Wideman paced Butler with 44 yards rushing on six carries. The Tornado lost three fumbles on the night.

"I don't hang on to the past," Rankin said. "When I left North Allegheny, I left here. I was done. I believe in moving on.

"I want to do the best job I can for the district and these Butler kids. We're not there yet. We know where we're at and we'll work on getting better."