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BUTLER TWP — Canon-McMillan is back in the WPIAL football playoffs.

But there is a different feel for the Big Macs this time around.

The team returned to postseason play last year for the first time since 2008. The 2018 team was a veteran group that won four games.

This year, Canon-Mac is 2-7 after graduating 21 seniors.

“We learned we made the playoffs because other teams lost last Friday, as we were coming off the field after a bad loss (44-0) to Central Catholic,” fifth-year coach Mike Evans said. “It just didn't feel the same.

“We're a young team. That's the main thiong with us.”

The Big Macs will be looking for positive momentum this Friday when they host winless Butler at 7 p.m. in the regular season finale for both teams.

The Golden Tornado cannot make the playoffs. They do have one more shot at winning a game this season.

“That's what makes them dangerous,” Evans said. “Butler has nothing to lose. It's their last game. We're liable to see just about anything.

“Their quarterback can do some things. I like No. 1 (Colin Look) on defense. They have a Division I caliber lineman and they've got some size, as usual.”

The Tornado scored four touchdowns in last week's 55-28 loss to Hempfield, but continue to fight the numbers game.

“We'll probably have 25 or 26 players suiting up Friday. That's about where we've been,” Butler coach Eric Christy said.

The team's top two receivers — Zach Slomers (ankle) and Charlie Kreinbucher (foot) — are hobbling this week. Their availability and/or effectiveness is uncertain Friday.

Butler may get receiver Anthony Daviduk back for this game. He has been out with a concussion.

While Cooper Baxter is looking for a strong finish to his sophomore season at quarterback — 1.406 yards and 11 touchdowns combined running and throwing — the Big Mccs will be without senior quarterback Jon Quinque.

Quinque broke his leg against Pine-Richland in Week 6 and has not played since.

“If we win a couple of playoff games, there's a chance we'd get him back,” Evans said. “It's a shame. He was on pace to break a lot of our quarterback records here.”

Freshman Ben Urso has been playinmg quarterback for Canon-Mac, though there's a chance a sophomore may step behind center this week. Blake Joseph, the team's leading receiver with 47 catches for 575 yards, has moved to the backfield with sophomore Ryan Angott (658 yards rushing).

“They've been primarily running the ball in recent games,” Christy said. “I'm not sure what we're gonna get from them this week.

“Since the (QB) change, they haven't been throwing the ball much.”

Look leads Butler's defense with 48 solo tackles while linebacker Justin Kabay has three sacks. Slomers is just shy of 400 combined yards receiving and rushing.

“No. 17 (Joseph) and 94 (6-foot-3, 230-pound Connor McMahon) look strong for them on defense,” Christy said. “They've shown the ability to stop some people.”

The Big Macs held Norwin to 14 points and Hempfield to 12 in their two victories this season.

The all-trime series between the teams is tied at four wins each. Canon-Mac won at Butler last year, 43-13.