BUTLER TWP — Butler varsity football coach Clyde Conti searched for an identity on offense last week.

He’s hoping his defense didn’t come up with one.

Missed tackles enabled Shaler to get back into the game before the Golden Tornado (1-1) escaped with a 38-27 victory.

Now Butler travels to Pine-Richland (1-1) to face a Rams team that has racked up 74 points through two games.

“That team has some weapons,” Conti said. “(Conner) Slomka is one of the best running backs in the WPIAL and (Ben) DiNucci is an outstanding quarterback. They’ve got two really good guards up front ... That’s a darn good football team.

“Our missed tackles are a concern and we’ve been trying to rectify that. We haven’t been as fundamentally sound on defense as I’d like us to be.”

Offensively, three Butler backs — Lucas Dubyak (124), Matt Christy (110) and Robert Burdine (100) — enjoyed 100-yard rushing efforts at Shaler.

Chris Smith, the Tornado’s leading rusher in the season opener vs. Seneca Valley, played tight end last week and proved an integral piece in the running game.

“Honestly, I don’t think we win that night without his blocking performance,” Conti said of Smith. “Chris is one of those versatile kids we can move around to fill a need.

“He’ll stay at tight end for now, though.”

Butler attempted only two passes in the second half last week after throwing the ball 28 times in the season’s first six quarters. Tom Jendesky has completed 20 of 30 passes overall, but for only 119 yards.

Burdine is the Tornado’s leading receiver with eight catches for 41 yards coming out of the backfield. Chris Smith has four catches for 38, Jamison Smith five for 17.

“Tommy did a nice job of managing the game for us last week,” Conti said.

Has Butler’s offensive identity become running the football and emphasing time of possession?

“We’ll see what happens this week,” Conti said.

Through two games, linebackers Jeremy Hanford (17) and Dubyak (11) are the Tornado’s leading tacklers. Tyler Roudybush has nine tackles from his safety position and Jake Hays has eight tackles, all solo stops.

“We will be outmanned against Pine-Richland, but that’s going to be the case pretty much every week for us,” Conti said. “We need to play disciplined football. There’s no margin for error here.

“Pine-Richland was in position to beat Seneca Valley last week. They could easily be 2-0 and I’m sure they’ll be ready for us.”

Butler defeated the Rams, 19-7, last season. That loss ultimately cost Pine-Richland a WPIAL playoff berth.