BUTLER TWP — Business is about to pick up.

After a gutty effort resulted in a 14-0 loss at North Hills last week, Butler's varsity football team is preparing to face undefeated North Allegheny at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Newman Stadium.

The Tigers (4-0, 3-0) have outscored their opposition 167-27 so far this season.

“We're playing the No. 1 team in the state,” Golden Tornado coach Clyde Conti said. “We can use that as a motivating factor.

“(NA coach) Art Walker, Jr. has already done it all and he has another 20-to-25 years ahead of him in this business if he wants it. He brings a tremendous amount of passion and he's a great communicator.”

Butler (2-2, 2-2) is playing its fifth consecutive section game to start the season. The Tornado hosts Upper St. Clair in non-section play next week.

But first thing's first.

Find a way to hang with North Allegheny.

“Nobody's beaten them in a while,” Conti said. “There are two ways somebody has a chance to beat them. You have to match their physicality up front. That offensive line they have is tremendous.

“You better have four or five Division I caliber kids who have the skills to compete with their kids, because that is a darn good team.”

Conti said Butler's offensive line play continues to be a work in progress, though the Tornado ground game has been steadily productive.

Two tight ends from last season — seniors Jake Hays and Ryan McCrea — have been moved to guard this year. Hays is listed at 190 pounds on the roster, McCrea at 200.

“Are they going to successfully block a 250-pound kid? Maybe not,” Conti said. “But they're going to give all they've got to give in there.

“Hays is a two-way player for us. He's one of a lot of kids we have playing with a lot of heart and making a difference in this program so far.

“We're not a team that was 5-4 trying to get to 8-1. We're trying to go from a failing grade all the way up to the Dean's list,” Conti added.

Kolby Kriess leads the Butler ground attack with 47 carries for 250 yards, but he's got plenty of company. Jake Olenick has 28 carries for 218 yards, Claude Clark 25 for 178, quarterback Jordan Cratty 32 for 119.

Cratty has thrown for 353 yards and two touchdowns, though the Tornado air game connected on just 4 of 17 passes last week. Canan Roskovski has 13 catches for 229 yards.

“We're not just dealing with X's and O's at Butler, we're dealing with a culture,” Conti said. “We spread the ball around to emphasize team. You win with team. A parent can't just be concerned about the son. The team aspect has to be there.”

Defensively, Stephen Shoemaker had a pair of quarterback sacks last week and “Bob Vernick was all over the field,” Conti said.

“We stressed the importance of keeping our poise in last week's game,” Conti said. “We did, for the most part, but we lost it at a few critical times.

“Our effort has been there game in and game out. But after six weeks, we need to start executing better, and more consistently.”

North Allegheny brings a balanced attack that is averaging 255 yards per game rushing and 246 yards per game passing.

“They can run power at you, the Wing-T, spread and their quarterback has the ability to make plays,” Conti said. “A number of their kids will be playing college ball.

“We're excited about the opportunity to play them.”

Butler has not defeated North Allegheny since posting a 21-14 victory in 2003. The Tigers have outscored the Tornado 199-14 in their last five meetings, including 49-7 last year.