BUTLER TWP — Last year seems so long ago.

Butler’s varsity football team went into Hempfield and posted a 23-10 victory over the banged-up Spartans. The win helped build momentum for the Golden Tornado to eventually land a WPIAL playoff berth.

Now Hempfield (4-2) comes to Butler (1-5) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday night. The Spartans are healthy and on solid playoff ground. The Tornado are banged up and riding a four-game losing streak.

“I’m sure we’ll be playing a lot of young kids Friday and we’re still shifting people around, looking for combinations that will work,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said.

“We will do everything we can to win this football game Friday night.”

Junior linebacker Lucas Dubyak, one of Butler’s top tackles, will miss the game with an injury. Quarterback Tom Jendesky, running back-return man Matt Christy and tight end Chris Smith are listed as doubtful for Friday due to assorted ailments.

“We’re somewhat limited on offense right now,” Conti said.

Friday marks Butler’s final home game of the season and will be Senior Night.

“We will be celebrating their efforts,” Conti said. “Everything about this night should be positive.”

Butler’s makeshift offense was held to two first downs and 55 yards last week by Upper St. Clair. The Tornado have produced only a field goal in the past three games.

Two sophomores — David Dimun and Dom Noel — along with senior Kyle Campbell are candidates to replace Dubyak at linebacker Friday.

Leading tackler Jeremy Hanford (41 tackles, 26 solos) is also banged up and did not play in the second half last week.

Besides the injured Jendesky, Robert Burdine has been the Tornado’s most productive offensive threat. He has 56 carries for 243 yards and two touchdowns, 15 catches for 86 yards and another score.

“We’re playing hard and the effort has been there,” Conti said. “What’s disappointed me is our lack of focus. We’ve got three games left to play and we want to get the most we can out of those games.”

Hempfield has won four of its last five games and could easily be riding a five-game win streak into Art Bernardi Stadium this weekend. The Spartans’ lone loss was a 22-16 decision to Gateway two weeks ago.

“They outplayed Gateway until the last minute and 50 seconds, when Gateway rallied to beat them,” Conti said. “This team has some athletes.

“They’ve got one of the best running backs and one of the best kickers in the WPIAL.”

Joey DeFloria has rushed for 971 yards and seven touchdowns this year. He’s also caught 16 passes for 201 yards and a score and is averaging 36.2 yards per punt.

“He was hurt a good part of last year. He makes such a difference in their team,” Conti said.

Place-kicker John Domit has converted 15 of 17 PATs and has hit seven field goals, including a long of 45 yards.

“We will have our hands full, but it’s our last home game of the season. It’s up to us to make it count,” Conti said.