BUTLER TWP — North Allegheny is hitting on all cylinders.

Butler is just trying to put a healthy team on the field.

The two Quad County Conference programs collide at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium. The Tigers (6-0, 5-0) own a 32-12 advantage in the series and have won the last 15 meetings.

The Golden Tornado (0-6, 0-4) have not scored more than seven points in a game against NA since a 31-17 loss in 2006. Butler's last win over the Tigers was a 21-14 verdict in 2003.

“They are just playing at a different level right now,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “We just played Mt. Lebanon and Seneca Valley and know how strong their defensive fronts are.

“North Allegheny was knocking them back five yards with regularity. That's how powerful they are.”

North Allegheny has its sights set on the Quade County title this year. The Tigers have already edged rival Central Catholic, 11-10, and end the regular season at Pine-Richland.

Art Walker Jr. has won three WPIAL championships and two state titles at NA. His teams lost in the WPIAL semifinals both of the past two years. Walker earned his 200th career high school coaching win earlier this season.

By contrast, second-year Butler coach Christy has one career win and suited up 25 healthy players in last week's 49-21 loss at Norwin.

“I have a lot of respect for Eric Christy and I feel for him and the situation they're in there,” Walker said. “But this is a league game for us and we take every league game seriously.

“Butler played very well in the first half at Norwin. Their quarterback (Cooper Baxter) is a weapon and we don't want to let them get any momentum since we're traveling to their place.”

Baxter carried 45 times for 197 yards at Norwin and played free safety for the entire game as well.

“Coop is usually only a third-down defensive back for us, but we saw that game as one where we could get a win and decided to go for it,” Christy said.

“He is a phenomenal kid. He knew what we wanted from him going in, we talked to his parents about it and everybody was on board. He played a fantastic game.

“We just wore out in the second half. That's what's been happening,” Christy added.

Zach Slomers played running back against Norwin and ran for 62 yards. Anthony Daviduk had two catches in the passing game.

“We played without a backup quarterback and we moved Zach to running back because we were thin there,” Christy said. “Justin Kabay got a few carries, but he's battling a knee injury. Our backup running back was out for disciplinary reasons.”

Christy admitted the Tornado are “a couple of injuries away from this becoming a real safety concern playing these games.”

Butler does expect to get a few players back this week.

North Allegheny is coming off a 40-7 win at Seneca Valley. The Tigers have outscored its last three conference opponents 122-27 and have surrendered only 37 points all year.

Nathan Hoke — son of former Pittsburgh Steeler Chris Hoke — leads the team with 32 tackles. Sam Sheridan has 6.5 quarterback sacks while Hoke has six.

The Tigers have 33 sacks as a team. Walker also lauded the play of noseguard Ben Grafton, outside linebacker Amosis Porter and defensive back Justus Gildon.

Porter is former Steeler Joey Porter's nephew while Gildon is the son of ex-Steeler Jason Gildon.

“Those kids have obviously grown up around football and have a passion for the game,” Walker said. “Their fathers allow us to coach their sons and offer tremendous support to the program.

“We're very fortunate in that sense.”

Quarterback Ben Petschke has thrown for 551 yards and five touchdowns for North Allegheny. He has yet to throw an interception. Luke Colella has 24 catches for 285 yards and three scores, Percise Colon 694 yards rushing and six TDs.

“Ben is a team player,” Walker said. “He takes what the defense gives him, running or throwing. He does a great job of facilitating our offense.”