BUTLER TWP — Win and you're in.

It's been 14 years since the Butler varsity football team could say such a thing this late in the season.

The Golden Tornado can say it now.

Butler (3-4, 2-4) will qualify for the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs for the first time since 1998 if it defeats Fox Chapel (1-6, 1-4) Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

“All we're focusing on right now is getting the kids to go out and play a good football game,” Tornado coach Clyde Conti said. “I said it last Friday and I meant it. If we play this week the same way we played against Hempfield, we will not defeat Fox Chapel.

“Anyone who thinks this will be an easy win for us is crazy.”

Conti's family is related to that of second-year Fox Chapel coach Eric Ravotti.

“His dad is my first cousin,” Conti said. “Members of his family were teammates of mine when I played at Freeport. We've had strong ties for a long time.

“I was there when Eric played his last game at Freeport. I saw him play at Penn State. I've enjoyed watching he and his brother Chad grow up as players and coaches.”

Conti said he remembered Fox Chapel's current sophomore class excelling as eigth-graders in track and field at the Butler Invitational.

“I'm telling you, that team has some athletes, a whole lot of speed,” he said. “They're trying to figure things out right now and they've been playing much better lately.”

A Fox Chapel win Friday could muddle the chase for the fifth and final playoff qualifier out of the Northern Eight. North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, North Hills and Central Catholic have the other spots wrapped up.

“There was a time when you could go undefeated and not be guaranteed a playoff spot,” Conti said. “I like it this way, though. It keeps a lot of teams interested for a lot longer.

“It's like baseball adding the second wild card. ... Look how long the Pirates stayed in the race.”

The Tornado are trying to stay in the chase despite a continual rash of injuries. A number of defensive starters — including Jake Hays, Jake Lenhart, Hayden Smith, Reid Werth and Kolby Kriess — missed the Hempfield game with injuries. Still, the Tornado limited the Spartans to 10 points.

Curtis Hunka had two quarterback sacks in that game. Keenan Barlow, Lucas Dubyak and Jeremy Hanford had solid games defensively.

“Hey, it's next man up. That has to be the mindset in football. Injuries happen in this game,” Conti said.

Bob Vernick leads Butler with 75 tackles, including 47 solos, this season. Dubyak is second on that list with 33 total tackles.

“Vernick has been all over the field for us,” Conti said.

With Kriess still sidelined, Claude Clark has taken over the Tornado rushing lead with 64 carries for 397 yards. Jake Olenick has 57 carries for 344 yards, quarterback Jordan Cratty 51 carries for 197 yards. The trio has combined to rush for seven TDs.

“Sometimes you attack an opponent individually, sometimes you attack a scheme,” Conti said. “What's great about football, even if you're overmatched physically, you can succeed by finding a matchup in your favor and isolating it.”

Cratty has thrown for 434 yards with Canan Roskovski continuing to be his favorite target. Roskovski has 17 catches for 299 yards. No other Butler player has more than six receptions.

Fox Chapel has a sizable offensive and defensive front and a 6-foot-6 quarterback in Brandon Mitchell, a transfer from Penn Hills.

“They sent a lineman to Pitt last year, a linebacker to Temple ... that team has players,” Conti said. “They also have the best field goal kicker and punter in our conference.

“This will not be an easy game. Eric will have those guys ready. We have to be ready, too.”