This is one in a series of articles previewing Butler County high school football matchups this weekend.BUTLER TWP — Progress is OK, but not good enough.Such is the message conveyed by Butler coach Eric Christy as the Golden Tornado prepare to host McDowell in the 2020 home opener Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.Kickoff is at 7 p.m.Butler hung in against Class 5A power Cathedral Prep last week — trailing 34-21 in the third quarter — before succumbing in a 55-21 loss. It was the Tornado's 21st consecutive loss over three seasons.“There were some positives for sure,” Christy said. “We gave up a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown in the first half that would have deflated our teams in recent years.“These guys kept on fighting, kept on playing. We had some good performances, but this is about finishing games on the right side of the scoreboard. That's the goal here. We won't be satisfied until that happens.”While Butler stifled Cathedral Prep's passing attack. McDowell brings a strong one of its own. Senior quarterback Chris Juchno threw for 1,929 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He opened this year by throwing for 199 yards and four TDs in last week's 36-12 win over Erie.Anthony Emling caught two of those scoring passes, Braeden Sobolewski and Justo Rivera one each. Rivera also rushed for 51 yards and a score.“That's our offense, spreading the ball around to different people,” Trojans coach Brad Orlando said. “We like to get everyone involved.”One player not involved for McDowell this year is running back Elijah Lopez. An 1,100-yard rusher last year, he moved to Florida to live with his mother.“I understand it, but losing Elijah was a hard one to swallow,” Orlando said.Juchno is a different type of quarterback when compared to Cathedral Prep's Tamar Jackson, who Butler faced last week.“Jackson is elusive, more of a runner,” Christy said. “McDowell's kid drops back and he is very accurate. We want to put some pressure on him if we can.”Butler is 4-5 all-time against McDowell. The teams have not met since the Trojans scored a 42-7 triumph in 2011.McDowell is coming off a 9-2 season, losing to State College in the PIAA playoffs.“But we lost 17 starters from last year,” Orlando said. “We're doing a lot of retooling. Chris is an outstanding athlete at quarterback. He's a Division I baseball player.“I've been coaching for 22 years and my teams have only played Butler once. Now we play them twice in one season.”Orlando mentioned cornerback Rashawn Tate and end Noah Bielak as standout players defensively.”The Trojans also have a stellar placekicker in Lenny McLaughlin, who hit 55 of 57 PATs last season and three of four field goal attempts.“His moniker is Larry The Leg,” Orlando said, laughing. “He's got a chance to kick at the next level.”Butler quarterback Cooper Baxter ran and threw for 246 total yards last week. Tight end Charlie Kreinbucher caught six passes for 88 yards.Look to see that combination a lot more.“We have to use that,” Christy said. “You're talking about a 6-foot-6 kid who can run a 4.7 40. He will open up other opportunities for other receivers.”The Tornado used a number of running backs in their opener and that will continue as well.“We're running back by committee,” Christy said. “It keeps people fresh. We need to be a deeper team and that's the plan this year.“We had problems on special teams last year because the same guys playing offense and defense were also playing special teams. The 99-yard return we gave up last week was the first time that unit was on the field for a kick return. We'll shore that up.”The coaching staff is giving out a Lineman of the Week award this season. The first recipient is sophomore Derek McLafferty, who filled in for injured guard Ethan Babay last week.“Derek had an outstanding game. We're excited about the way he performed,” Christy said.Butler's marching band will not be performing on the field Friday. Athletic director Bill Mylan said two tickets have been given to each senior cheerleader and football player. A few other tickets will be distributed to other Butler starters.

The Eagle sports staff's third season of Upon Further Review, a weekly show discussing Butler County area high school football, can be viewed on the Butler Eagle Sports Facebook page.