Butler storms back to beat General McLane, 40-20
BUTLER TWP — Eric Christy was happy he didn't break his wrist.
Moments later, his Butler football team broke General McLane's spirit.
The Golden Tornado surrendered a 19-play touchdown drive that ate up the final eight minutes of the first half and put the Lancers ahead at the intermission. Butler responded with three touchdowns in the third quarter and went on to post a 40-20 victory Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
“I'm not a yeller, but I yelled (in the locker room at halftime),” Christy admitted. “I even punched a wall. I hurt my wrist a little bit.
“I'm glad I didn't break it. I was just trying to get our energy up. The kids came out and responded.”
McLane (2-2) trailed 12-7 when it took the ball over on downs at its own 2-yard line with 8:04 left in the first half. The Lancers' methodical 19-play march included a pair of fourth-down conversions.
With seven seconds left and the ball at Butler's 15, the Lancers completed a pass near the goal line. The ball was popped out by a Butler defender, but receiver Kyle Cousins fell on it in the end zone as time expired.
“We didn't play well offensively in the first half,” Butler tight end Charlie Kreinbucher said. “We knew had to get better.”
The Tornado (2-2) regained the lead just three plays into the third period. Kreinbucher caught a 39-yard pass from Mac Schnur and sophomore David Graef broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown run.
Graef had scored on a 13-yard run late in the first quarter for Butler.
