BUTLER TWP — Let the Rob Densmore era begin.

The first-year Butler High School varsity football coach will debut his new product at 7 p.m. Friday when the Golden Tornado travel to Altoona to play the Mountain Lions at Mansion Park Stadium.

“The travel, home game or away, that stuff doesn’t bother me,” Densmore said of the long road trip. “We go where the schedule takes us. It’s our job to show up ready to play football.”

Neither team is coming off a stellar season. Butler was 1-8 last year while Altoona was 2-7.

Both programs are trying to establish themselves right out of the gate.

“They will play the game a lot like us,” Densmore said. “They’re physical and quick. Defensively, they’re very aggressive. Offensively, they want to run the football. We’re the exact same way.”

Butler is coming off scrimmages against Woodland Hills and Blackhawk. The Wolverines are picked by many to contend for the WPIAL Class AAAA title.

“They are as advertised,” Densmore said. “They got the better of us. But, physically, we battled with them.

“We did a good job against Blackhawk. We were physical — we have to try to out-physical every team we play — and we kept them out of our end zone. Our backs ran hard and followed their blocks. It was a nice performance, definitely something to build on.”

Robert Burdine will be the Tornado’s starting tailback with Damian Pickett seeing time there as well. Lucas Dubyak and Jeremy Hanford will rotate at fullback. They will run behind an offensive line of Eric Hindman at center, Mike Snow and Zack Seger at guard, Josh McCloskey and Derek Gengler at tackle, Rob Kunst at tight end.

“Offensive line coach (Bill) McElroy has done a great job with those kids. He really has them coming off the ball,” Densmore said.

Jamison Smith, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior, will start at quarterback.

“Jamison has command of the huddle and he understands our playbook,” Densmore said. “The kids respond to him and he can make all of the running and passing plays designed within our offense.”

Defensively, Butler will line up in a 44 with Gengler, J.J. Johnson, Austin McMahon and Snow up front. Dubyak and Hanford are inside linebackers, Derrick Andreassi and Tim Vernick on the outside.

Burdine and sophomore Dallas Hays are the cornerbacks with senior Reid Werth at safety.

Densmore said he hasn’t had to say too much to the players to get them motivated.

“During our scrimmages, I was impressed by our pursuit to the ball and the hustle on the field,” the coach said. “I knew it would be there, but it was beyond what I expected. These kids are hungry.”

Burdine and Kelley Kuharic will be the prime kick and punt returners for the Tornado, along with others. Devin Fitz returns as one of the top place-kickers in the WPIAL.

“Special teams can win you games and they can lose you games,” Densmore said. “I expect ours to be much more helpful than a hindrance.”