BUTLER TWP — Consistency and focus.

Butler football coach Clyde Conti is seeking both of those elements from his team as the Golden Tornado (1-3, 1-3) host North Allegheny (3-1, 2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

The Tornado have lost 11 fumbles through four games this season and paid the price for missed assignments in last week’s 49-0 loss to North Hills.

“North Hills played well, which didn’t surprise us,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said. “But we lined up wrong at times, blew coverages ... Those are the things we can’t afford.

“We had our worst practice of the year Wednesday, then had a good practice Thursday. Friday during pregame, we jumped four times on the line of scrimmage. I was thinking, ‘here we go again with the focus.’

“They (North Hills) have tailbacks who can cut. We were turning 6-yard gains into touchdowns,” Conti added.

Defending state champion North Allegheny is coming off a 29-28 win over Pine-Richland. The Rams missed a PAT late that would have tied the contest.

“They won’t be coming up here in too good a mood,” Conti said of the Tigers.

North Allegheny returns only three starters from last season.

“It’s not about who graduates, it’s about who replaces them, who comes in,” Conti said. “They are still a very powerful team. Seneca Valley matched their physicality. Not many teams can do that.”

While Butler is coming off its worst loss of the season, Conti said this week’s coaching approach would lean toward lifting the players’ spirits.

He is not concerned about any lingering negative affect from the North Hills game.

“Young people are far more resilient than adults,” Conti said. “They’re good at bouncing back. What I like about our kids is they haven’t experienced much success in this sport, other than a bit last year, and they keep coming back.

“Most kids in those circumstances just quit today. They leave the program. These guys are staying with it.

“Coaching can be like parenting. Sometimes you have to give them tough love. Sometimes you have to lift their spirits. Our practices will be uplifting this week,” he added.

Robert Burdine continues to be the Tornado’s leading rusher with 238 yards. Quarterback Tom Jendesky has rushed for 209 yards, but his 28 pass completions have covered only 166 yards — an average of six yards per completion.

Burdine has 12 catches for 57 yards, Chris Smith seven catches for 65 yards.

“Our passing game has been control so far,” Conti allowed. “But we’ll take some shots down the field. We’re capable there.”

Defensively, Jeremy Hanford leads Butler with 25 solo stops and 38 total tackles. Jake Hays has 25 tackles, including 22 solos, while Lucas Dubyak has 23 tackles and 18 solo stops.

Tim Vernick recorded four solo tackles in making his first varsity start last week.

“We’re looking for more consistent play from Jeremy and Lucas, from eyeryone,” Conti said. “We start eight underclassmen defensively. That’s not an excuse, but there are growing pains.

“We want to win as badly as anyone else. We’re striving to get there.”