WEXFORD — Once North Allegheny's athletes found open space, they knew what to do with it.

The undefeated Tigers scored on a few big plays early in dispatching Butler, 55-3, in Quad County Conference football play Friday night at Newman Stadium.

“Once they got their guys the ball with space, they're awfully hard to contain,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “That is a very athletic football team.

“There's a reason why they're undefeated.”

The Tigers (7-0, 6-0) scored on the first offensive play of the game. Quarterback Ben Petschke tossed a flare pass to Percise Colon along the right sideline and Colon broke loose for a 52-yard score.

The Golden Tornado's second snap of the game resulted in a shotgun snap well over the head of quarterback Kyler Callihan. The play lost 32 yards before NA's Dante Caputo scooped up the ball at the Butler 3 and ran into the end zone.

After two Tornado scoring chances were thwarted, NA struck again as receiver Khalil Dinkins caught a short pass over the middle and turned it into an 80-yard touchdown play. The Tigers had a 22-0 lead with 4:22 still left in the first quarter.

“Our line protected well and put Ben in a comfort zone to make those passes,” NA coach Art Walker Jr. said. “We wanted to spread them out defensively and give our athletes some room to make things happen.

“That was a big touchdown for Khalil. He's only a sophomore. We wanted to get some guys some touches tonight who don't get their hands on the ball that often.”

The Tornado (0-7, 0-5) did move the ball in the first half. An 11-play drive — highlighted by a 35-yard Callihan pass to Logan Donnel — ended when Callihan was stopped for a 3-yard loss by Caputo and Amosis Porter on fourth-and-1 at the NA 17.

Butler recovered a Tiger fumble at the NA 19, moments later, but Emery Douthett's 34-yard field goal attempt was wide left.

With 9:42 left in the first half, Douthett booted a 36-yard field goal to conclude a 12-play, 61-yard Butler march. The points were the Tornado's first in four games.

“We hit a couple of big pass plays and broke that shutout string,” Christy said. “Those were exciting things for us and nice accomplishments down here against that team.

“But we couldn't sustain much after that.”

North Allegheny tacked on four touchdowns in the second quarter after Douthett's field goal. Ben Maenza scored on a pair of 25-yard runs. Luke Colella scored on a 21-yard run.

Colon's 2-yard run with 33 seconds left in the first half — capping a 27-yard drive after Alfonso Cantu recovered a Butler fumble — completed the first half scoring.

“We didn't play any of our starters in the second half,” Walker said. “We got a lot of younger kids some reps while not disrespecting Butler at the same time.

“As I said before, I sympathize with their situation. I just hope they give their coach some time. Eric Christy is a quality young coach. He's from Butler, he played for Butler. He wants to be there. He wants to make it great there. I hope the community gets behind him and supports him.”

Callihan threw for 58 yards and rushed for 43 for Butler. Petschke completed three passes for 157 yards for North Allegheny.

Joey Porter Jr. had a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 45-yard interception return for a score wiped out by NA penalties.

The Tornado host Central Catholic next Friday night.

Butler 0 3 0 0 — 3

N. Allegheny 22 27 0 6 — 55

First Quarter

NA — Percise Colon 53 pass from Ben Petschke (Isaac West kick), 11:49

NA — Dante Caputo 3 fumble return (West run), 10:57

NA — Khalil Dinkins 80 pass from Petshke (West kick), 4:22

Second Quarter

B — Emery Douthett 36 fieldgoal, 9:42

NA — Ben Maenza 25 run (West kick), 9:22

NA — Maenza 25 run (West kick), 7:16

NA — Luke Colella 21 run (Drew Jeffries kick), 4:42

NA — Colon 2 run (kick failed), :33

Fourth Quarter

NA — Reid Fisher 8 run (kick failed), 8:52

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Butler, Kyler Callihan 27-43, Darin Skidmore 2-8, TEAM 2-(-38), Chris Mertz 3-9, Bryan Presco 4-39, Julian Jones 3-1, Hunter Neff 1-4. North Allegheny, Ben Maenza 3-50, TEAM 1-(-1), Joey Colella 4-42, Luke Colella 1-21, Khalil Dinkins 1-5, Percise Colon 1-2, Reid Fisher 7-56, J.P. Cantu 1-3, Ben Rohan 2-15, Justin Kerber 1-0, Brady Leczo 1-2.

Passing: Butler, Kyler Callihan 2-7-58-1, Chris Mertz 1-1-21-0, Bryan Presco 1-1-3-0. North Allegheny, Ben Petschke 3-4-157-0, Peter Vardzel 0-1-0-0.

Receiving: Butler, Logan Donnel 2-56, Noah Sespico 1-23, Austin Rodgers 1-3. North Allegheny, Perise Colon 1-53, Khalil Dinkins 1-80, Joey Porter Jr. 1-22.