BUTLER TWP — Hempfield is coming to town Friday sporting just a 2-6 overall record and one Quad County Conference victory this season.

“They are much better than that,” Butler football coach Eric Christy said.

The Spartans are coming off a 62-35 loss to conference leader North Allegheny, rolling up 449 yards of offense against the Tigers.

“We moved the ball up and down the field against them,” Hempfield coach Rich Bowen said.

Enough said.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on Senior Night at Art Bernardi Stadium as the Golden Tornado will try to snap an 18-game losing streak.

“I know they're hungry for a win,” Bowen said of Butler (0-8, 0-6). “I'm very impressed with their sophomore quarterback, they have a big sophomore receiver who can go get the ball and a couple of big linemen (Nate Cornibe and Anthony Scardina).

“That team can control the ball, get three or four yards a pop on the ground and keep moving the chains. We have to be able to stop their running game.”

Cooper Baxter has rushed for 724 yards and six touchdowns, thrown for 572 and four scores. Justin Kabay has 170 yards rushing.

Zach Slomers has caught 23 passes for 236 yards, Charlie Kreinbucher eight passes for 157 yards and a pair of TDs.

“Hempfield is big up front, one of the bigger teams we've seen,” Christy said. “They have an experienced team and they've been competitive with the top teams.

“Maybe they're still not convinced they can beat them. They'll give up a big kick return or something and the wind goes out of their sails.”

Fintan Brose, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound two-way lineman for the Spartans, has committed to Delaware. Senior quarterback Blake Remaley has completed 109 of 189 passes for 1,370 yards, 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

A starter since midway through his sophomore year, Remaley is getting looks from St. Francis and Robert Morris.

“It's hard for a quarterback to get recruited because most colleges only take one,” Bowen said. “Blake's getting some looks, though. He makes good decisions with the ball and runs our Air Raid offense extremely well.”

The heart of that offense is senior running back/slotback Nathan Roby. At 5-foot-7, 145 pounds, he is receiving Patriot League and numerous Division II looks.

Roby has rushed for 750 yards and caught 43 passes for 500 more.

“We lost our featured back, Mario Perkins, for the season to injury,” Bowen said. “That's required us to move Nathan into the running back role rather than leave him at slot. Now he's filling both roles for us.”

Butler and Central Catholic played 10-minute quarters Saturday afternoon due to the Tornado's lack of healthy numbers. The same scenario could play out Friday.

“We only have maybe 26 healthy players right now and that includes our kicker,” Christy said. “My biggest concern right now is being able to put a team on the field.”

That kicker, Emery Douthett, played a half of soccer and scored a goal for Butler Saturday before getting to Duquesne University to kick for the Tornado football team.

“That's the kind of dedication we're getting from these kids,” Christy said. “I can't express how proud I am of these guys.

“We're not just teaching football here, we're teaching life. These experiences, this adversity they've been facing, will benefit them in life.”

Butler leads the series between the teams, 7-4, though Hempfield claimed a 31-14 triumph last year.