PITTSBURGH — One thing was certain.

Central Catholic did not take Butler lightly.

The Vikings scored on two of their first four offensive plays, then returned three successive punts for touchdowns Friday night. The 34-point first-quarter onslaught paved the way for a 55-0 football victory over the Golden Tornado at Gesling Stadium.

Central (9-0, 7-0) capped a perfect regular season and a Northern Eight Conference crown with its sixth shutout. Butler (1-8, 1-7) dropped its seventh straight to end the season.

The injury-riddled Golden Tornado lost two more running backs to injury Friday. Butler had seven backs get hurt during the course of the year.

“Two more concussions and a knee tonight,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said. “In 41 years of coaching, I've never seen anything like this.

“The concussions are what concern me. We've had so many. ... It's just not good.”

The Tornado had suffered 15 concussions over a two-week period prior to Friday night.

“Butler made that long trip and played a lot of young kids. They did what they could,” Central assistant coach Eric Dietere said. “You feel for a program that's in a situation like that.

“The kids they had on the field played hard. You have to respect that.”

Butler managed only two first downs — none in the first half — and netted 12 yards offensively. The Tornado's deepest penetration all night was their own 41-yard line.

Vikings coach Terry Totten pulled his starters during the opening possession of the third quarter. Central's top running back, Luigi Lista-Brinza, and top receiver Shafer Swann did not suit up for the game.

Florida State recruit J.J. Cosentino threw touchdown passes of 21 yards to Darnell Clemm and 29 yards to Tre Tarpley in the first half.

“We told the kids they would throw the ball a bit tonight because they have to get ready for the playoffs,” Conti said. “They had to work on that part of the game.

“Central Catholic runs a very classy program. Them and Upper St. Clair are the two best teams we've seen.”

Riley Redman paced the Vikings with eight carries for 94 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown gallop on Central's first play from scrimmage.

Cam Sutherland returned punts 59 and 58 yards for touchdowns while Ronnie Jones returned one 40 yards for a score.

Central's lead was 48-0 at halftime.

“We had to make sure our kids stayed focused and did what they had to do to win the football game,” Dietere said of the Vikings' quick start.

Sophomore linebacker Dom Noel had eight tackles and five assists for Butler while senior linebacker Vincent Lowerre had seven tackles, three assists and blocked a PAT.

Junior linebacker Lucas Dubyak returned to the lineup for Butler and had a number of tackles, as well.

“When you have a season like this one, when you're lining up against teams on Friday night you know you're overmatched with ... I was proud to stand on the sidelines with these boys,” Conti said.

“They gave everything they had. They never stopped working. They faced adversity and did so bravely. As their coach, I couldn't have asked any more.”