BUTLER TWP — When it comes to North Hills football, it's defense first.

Butler coach Clyde Conti discovered that first-hand last year.

“We didn't gain an inch against them in that game,” Conti said of the Golden Tornado's 38-0 loss at Martorelli Stadium. “They don't make mistakes and they keep coming at you.”

Butler (2-1, 2-1) will try to defeat the Indians for the first time in 12 years when it returns to Martorelli Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday night. North Hills (2-1, 1-1) owns a Northern Eight win over Shaler and lost to Central Catholic. The Indians won a nonconference season opener at home against Penn Trafford.

“That venue is beautiful down there,” Conti said.

However, Butler's results against North Hills have not. The Tornado have been outscored 192-16 in their last six meetings with the Indians.

Tradition has gone a long way for North Hills.

“I know what kind of kid comes out of that program,” Conti said. “I coached Warren Carr, a North Hills graduate, at Clarion. I know Mark Jones, now the athletic director at Leechburg High School.

“High quality people come through (North Hills coach) Jack McCurry's program. Whether they have the good-sized kids or not, the players learn the system and execute it.

“Pat Carey has been defensive coordinator there for a long time and is one of the top assistant coaches in the WPIAL,” Conti added.

Regardless of the history and tradition surrounding this game, Butler enters it with momentum. The Tornado have won successive league games for the first time since 1999 and are putting together their most versatile offense in years.

Jordan Cratty has thrown for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Canan Roskovski has 11 receptions for 175 yards and a score.

Running backs Jake Olenick, Claude Clark and Kolby Kriess have combined for 555 yards rushing on 75 carries, good for seven touchdowns. Olenick also has three catches for 97 yards and a score.

“We've got some kids there who can run the football,” Conti said. “Kolby Kriess and Claude Clark run hard and Jake Olenick is a versatile back.

“Bob Vernick has been back there, too. He's one of those players who does anything we ask him to do.”

Conti described Cratty as a “strong leader who just wants to win. He's making some reads on his own at the line of scrimmage that have resulted in touchdowns for us.”

The North Hills game begins a stretch of Friday nights for Butler that also include a trip to North Allegheny and a home date against Upper St. Clair.

“We know what's in front of us,” Conti said. “We need to get a little better up front. The effort is there. We just need to keep playing.”

Defensively, the Tornado forced four turnovers in last week's 19-7 win over Pine-Richland. Eric Hindman and Olenick recovered fumbles, Pat Lokhaiser and Jake Alston had interceptions.

Conti detects a strong chemistry in the locker room.

“Those kids have developed a strong bond with each other and their confidence level is continually going up,” he said.

Butler's general improvement as a team early this season can be traced to continuity with the coaching staff, as well.

“The kids are getting used to what we're doing. We had some continuity that way going into the season,” Conti said. “The maturity of the players and them getting to know us better has definitely helped.

“I have a talented group of young assistants who are doing everything they can to teach these kids. It's not life or death, winning or losing. We're getting maximum effort from everybody and that's what counts.”