Starting Strong
BUTLER TWP — So far, so good.
Butler followed up its strong season-opening effort against WPIAL Quad-A power Seneca Valley with a 60-26 trouncing of Shaler last week.
The latter game ended a 28-game section losing streak for the Golden Tornado (1-1). Now, they get the opportunity to snap another skid when they host Pine-Richland (1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.
Butler has not defeated the Rams since Pine-Richland moved into the Quad North in 2008. The Tornado have been outscored 98-13 by the Rams in the past three meetings, including 35-0 last year.
“We couldn't move the ball on them last year and they've got 10 starters back on defense,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said.
Butler does have momentum and tradition on its side this week. Butler will honor its third Athletic Hall of Fame induction class on the field before the game. The Tornado rolled up 434 yards of offense against Shaler. Despite throwing only three passes all night, no Butler player carried the ball more than nine times against the Titans.
“I've always been a big believer in getting the ball into the hands of as many different kids as possible,” Conti said. “It has nothing to do with staying away from giving a kid a heavy workload. If someone can't handle that, we're not conditioning them enough.
“Spreading the ball around makes you tougher to defend. I'd like to get more kids involved in the passing game, too. We try to teach that everybody blocks for everybody else.”
Canan Roskovski has nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown through two games. Quarterback Jordan Cratty has thrown for 206 yards and two scores.
Jake Olenick has 173 yards and three TDs rushing, including 141 yards last week. He also caught a 48-yard scoring pass against Shaler.
“That kid is just a hard-nosed football player,” Conti said. “We have a number of guys like that. Bob Vernick is standing out at linebacker and Kolby Kriess is doing good things on both sides of the ball.”
Kriess had nine carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Along the offensive line, Conti lauded the efforts of center Curtis Hunka, tackle Hayden Smith and tight end Eric Hindman.“We have a lot more work to do. We know that and so do the kids,” Conti said. “Last week felt great for everybody, but we know the schedule we've got coming and that begins with Pine-Richland.“That team always comes up with creative schemes to move the football. Seneca Valley put 50 up on them, but I don't know if any other team has a trigger man like (SV's) Jordan Brown.”Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland (1-1) by a 50-26 count last Friday.Conti continually talks about “maximizing our players' talents” and getting them to play as a unit.“Our defense has to play as a unit,” he emphasized. “Play for the guy lined up next to you as much as you're playing for yourself.”Pine-Richland senior running back Brock Baranowski has yet to play this season as he's battling an Achilles injury. Senior receiver Luke Merhaut had 10 receptions against Seneca Valley.“It doesn't seem to matter who they have in there,” Conti said. “They're aggressive with their kids and we're trying to get to that point.“I'm old-school. I believe in work ethic. I've got somebody's child out there on the football field and as a coaching staff, we're going to work as hard as we can to teach.“I have a lot of respect for all of our kids who are out there. All those losing streaks ... these kids weren't around for all of that, but they're not bailing on this program. You have to respect that,” Conti added.
