Butler varsity football is in a rut. It has been for years.

After consecutive 0-10 seasons, 22 consecutive losing seasons and dwindling participation, the school district decided enough is enough.

An annual schedule that includes the likes of Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, Central Catholic and other well-established football powerhouses doesn’t help the situation. Repeatedly losing these games by lopsided scores has turned Butler High School athletes away from football.

The solution? Find an easier, more competitive schedule.

The WPIAL cannot help in that regard. Butler is one of only nine Class 6A football programs in that district. To remain in that district, the Golden Tornado have to play the other eight.

While doing so in 2019, Butler scored 132 points in its 10 games. No other Class 6A team scored fewer than 150. The Tornado allowed 505 points. No other 6A team allowed as many as 400.

This isn’t working — and won’t work in the near future.

Credit Butler for trying to save its football program. It asked the WPIAL to release it from football, so it could become a member of District 10. Joining that district — which has few big schools — would give Butler more flexibility in developing a schedule.

But the WPIAL said no.

With no release granted, Butler has two viable options: Continue to play a WPIAL-mandated schedule or spend the next two years as a football independent, scheduling its own games with no postseason eligibility.

Butler’s football program cannot stand pat. Football is too much a part of the high school experience to do so.

The time has come to go independent, regenerate student and community interest and generate wins.

Swallow a little pride for now.

Return to the WPIAL fully ready to compete later.