BUTLER TWP — “Butler tackle made by Bob Vernick ...In on the tackle for Butler, Bob Vernick ...”

Those words can be heard early and often from the public address announcer on Friday nights at Art Bernardi Stadium.

They might as well be a tape recording.

The Golden Tornado senior outside linebacker has been a constant pain in opposing ball carriers' sides in 2012.

“Bobby's been the heart and soul of our defense, of our team,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said. “He's the best blocker we have, too.”

Vernick was the Tornado's leading rusher a year ago with 373 yards and two touchdowns. This year, three Butler players are surpassing that total.

He's not one of them.

He's been too busy playing defense.

“I like to get him on offense because he's an aggressive runner with the ball in his hands and he's an excellent lead blocker,” Conti said.

But Vernick has no problem being primarily a defensive player.

“When you play on one side of the ball, you can devote all of your energy in that direction,” Vernick said.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Vernick has shown plenty of that.

Entering Friday's regular season finale against Central Catholic, Vernick is averaging 10.5 tackles per game. He has 53 solo stops and 31 assists for 84 total tackles.

By comparison, Lucas Dubyak is next in line with 20 solo stops and 38 total tackles. Jeremy Hanford is averaging 5.6 tackles per game, second to Vernick in that department.

“He's all over the field,” Tornado linebackers coach Jeff Wagner said. “Bobby is in tremendous condition. He can go from sideline to sideline.

“All summer, he was the first one in the weight room and the last one to leave. We were there four days a week during the summer and the only two sessions he ever missed was when his family went on vacation.”

“I just enjoy playing the game and everything that goes with it,” Vernick said. “I've always had a passion for this sport.”

Vernick's father, Robert, also played football at Butler and went on to play linebacker at Clarion University.

His father got Vernick started in football.

“He introduced me to the game, but never put pressure on me to play it,” Vernick said of his father. “I could have quit playing and he wouldn't have had a problem with it. But there was no way.

“My father and I talk about football. He watches me play and offers suggestions here and there, but he's never too critical. He always tells me he's proud of me.”

He's not alone.

“Bob Vernick has a presence out on that field every week,” Conti said. “He's a little banged up, but you're not gonna keep him out of there.”

Wagner said Vernick “takes advantage of every opportunity to get better, whether it's in the weight room, on the practice field, in a game or on his own. He's a tremendous worker.”

Vernick made between 50 and 60 tackles as Butler's middle linebacker last year before moving outside this season. He shrugs off his high tackle totals.

“Our defensive linemen do a great job of tying up blockers,” he said. “I usually have a clear path to make tackles. I'm just doing my job.”

He hopes to continue doing similar work in college.

“I definitely want to play in college,” he said. “Playing Division I football is a dream. I hope to play somewhere at some point, but my education will come first.

“I'll worry about that when this is all done. We've got a few games left to play yet.”