BUTLER TWP — Butler's leading rusher is back. Butler's leading passer is returning as well.

So is the Golden Tornado's leader on the field.

All three of those people are the same person: Cooper Baxter.

“He's such a good athlete and when you factor in the experience he has now ... we're expecting a lot from him,” Butler head coach Eric Christy said.

“Cooper is expecting a lot from himself.”

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Baxter threw for 649 yards and four touchdowns last season. He did throw nine interceptions and completed only 40 percent of his passes.

Baxter averaged more than four yards per carry running the ball, galloping for 748 yards and seven touchdowns.

“I know we can make more plays in the passing game and be more consistent with it,” Baxter said. “We've got a lot of talented skill guys and I learned a lot from playing last year.”

Only a junior, Baxter has a chance to pile up plenty of yards from scrimmage for the Tornado. He is a three-sport athlete, a 30-win wrestler and a shortstop in baseball.

Christy said Baxter's presence behind center immediately bolsters the running game.

“He's basically another running back for us,” the coach said.

Todd Smith, the former Clarion-Limestone head coach and Butler's new offensive coordinator, said he's relishing the opportunity to work with Baxter.

“Cooper is as solid an athlete as I've ever worked with at that position,” Smith said. “A quarterback with his skill-set and experience, we can really open up the offense.

“The other guys feed off his leadership.”

The Tornado do not have a senior on the offensive line and lost some size from last year.

“If that line develops, naturally, it will help our quarterbacks,” Smith said.

Smith was quick to sing the praises of backup quarterback Mac Schnur, a sophomore.

“We have two quality quarterbacks. Mac is very capable of playing for us,” he said.

Baxter will likely see additional time in the defensive backfield this season, moreso than last year.

Schnur's development could help facilitate that.

“We won't be afraid to utilize Mac,” Smith insisted.

As productive as Baxter was last year, he recognizes the challenges in front of him this season.

He isn't shy about breaking down his own skill set, either.

“I know I have to get better, especially in the passing game,” Baxter said. “I need to throw to spots better, improve on making my reads.

“Quarterback is the toughest job in all of sports. As a first-year high school quarterback, I worked as hard as I could to learn the position. I have to perform and I accept that challenge.”

The addition of Smith has helped in his development.

“Coach Smith has been extremely helpful. I love what he's doing with the offense,” Baxter said. “Hopefully, it translates into wins.”

Baxter isn't shy about his goals, either.

“I want to be the best player in the state,” he said. “Put it out there and go after it.”