FOX CHAPEL — Fox Chapel High School football and winning haven’t gone together for quite a while.

The Foxes have had one four-win season — 4-6 in 2008 — in the past decade and have lost 75 of 95 games during that span. Third-year coach Eric Ravotti is 5-21 during his brief tenure.

“A lot of it has to do with the culture in this area,” Ravotti said. “We just don’t get the numbers. We have the smallest roster in Western Pennsylvania Quad-A football.

“When you suit up 38 kids in Quad-A, you’re just not going to win. I know numbers are down in general throughout the region, but I laugh when I hear coaches complain they ‘only’ have 65 kids or so. I’d be ecstatic if I had that many.”

The Foxes (1-6, 1-4) play host to Butler (1-6, 1-4) at 7 p.m. Friday. The game marks Fox Chapel’s Senior Night.

“It’s a game both teams have a chance to win and I’m excited about that,” Ravotti said. “I love being involved in close, competitive games. I’ve been on the wrong side of enough blowouts.”

Ravotti’s father is a cousin of Butler coach Clyde Conti.

“I’ve been calling him Uncle Clyde since I was a little kid,” Ravotti said. “I love the guy. Nobody supported my high school football career more.

“I respect Clyde Conti more than anyone. Believe me, he’s great for Butler football.”

Fox Chapel’s offense has improved of late. After scoring 44 points in their first four games, the Foxes have tallied 99 in their last three.

A 34-14 win over Shaler was followed by a heartbreaking 21-17 loss to North Hills. Last week, the Foxes were outscored 63-48 by Baldwin.

“We led North Hills by 10 with three and a half minutes to go in what would have been a landmark win for the program,” Ravotti said. “But we did what we normally do — find a way to lose a football game.

“Our quarterback’s play has improved greatly as the year’s gone on, that and our pass protection. That combination is the main reason for our increased production.”

Junior quarterback Billy Urso has completed 72 of 152 passes for 888 yards, seven touchdowns and only three interceptions. He completed 29 of 41 aerials for 363 yards last week against Baldwin.

Brandon Mitchell, a 6-foot-6 receiver, caught nine passes for 122 yards last week and has 20 catches for 343 yards on the year. He was previously the team’s quarterback.

“He wasn’t comfortable there, so we moved him to receiver and he’s beginning to get it,” Ravotti said of Mitchell.

Chad Garnett and Keith Frankert have 18 and 13 receptions, respectively, while Nigel Garnett leads the ground game with 308 yards on 77 carries.

“We haven’t been able to run the ball very well,” Ravotti admitted. “With us, you don’t know what you’re getting from week to week. One week, we’ll throw the ball great. The next week, nothing.

“We gave up nine touchdowns last week, making the same mistakes on the same basic plays. That’s just how it’s been.”

The coach did laud the play of junior linebacker David Brown, “who’s been all over the field for us.”

Ravotti said his emphasis in recent games has been preparing younger kids for varsity ball while trying to get the seniors opportunities to play in college. The Foxes lost six starters to season-ending injuries before the season even started, including tight end Quinton Wirginis, a Pitt recruit.

Ravotti remains uncertain of how quickly he can reverse the Fox Chapel football fortunes.

“As long as the PIAA continues to determine Quad-A status by school enrollment instead of student participation, you will never have football parity at that level in Western Pennsylvania,” he said. “I can tell you that much.”