ERIE — Butler picked itself off the canvas twice Saturday night in Erie before finally having its football season knocked out at Veterans Stadium.

The Golden Tornado were victimized by some of their own punches, suffering seven turnovers in their 40-21 District 10 6A championship game loss to McDowell.

“Our kids hung in there and fought all night despite a bunch of adversity,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “But we did make a lot of mistakes.”

Much of the game was played as a combination of snow, sleet and rain fell from the sky. The turf was covered by a sheet of sleet for much of the first half.

“I feel like I'm being pelted by icicles right now,” Christy said after the game.

Butler (5-5) did not throw a pass in the first quarter because of the conditions. McDowell (8-2) began the game with a first down at the Tornado 40-yard line, quarterback Christian Santiago scoring on a 15-yard run just four plays into the contest.

Santiago — who did not play in the Trojans' 38-21 win over Butler in September — rushed for 71 yards and five touchdowns on the night.

A snap with Butler in shotgun formation deflected off a leg, McDowell's Joey Orlando recovering the ball at Butler's 16 barely two minutes into the game. The Tornado defense stiffened and Alex Sontheimer's 31-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

“The weather was just too bad at first. We had to shelve the passing game and bring everything in tight,” Christy said.

Falling behind 13-0 while mounting little offense, Butler put together a scoring drive late in the half. Mac Schnur connected with Lance Slater deep down the right sideline for 50 yards — only Schnur's fourth pass and his first completion — to set up an 8-yard TD toss to Cooper Baxter.

With 2:24 left in the half, the Tornado trailed only 13-7.

McDowell responded quickly, going 64 yards in four plays. Artis Simmons scored on a 13-yard run with 1:02 left in the half. Simmons led the Trojans with 91 yards as McDowell churned out 245 yards on the ground.

After Butler fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, Santiago scored on a 6-yard run with 23 seconds left in the half. Suddenly, the Trojans had a 26-7 lead.

“We knew they (Butler) would keep on coming,” Santiago said. “We had to be ready.”

Butler came on strong in the third period. Braylon Littlejohn's 24-yard run capped an 80-yard drive after the second-half kickoff. McDowell went three-and-out and Littlejohn capped a 66-yard drive by scampering in from two yards out on a fourth-and-one play. That pulled Butler within 26-21 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

“Two years ago, we would have folded after the first half,” Baxter said. “Butler football isn't that way anymore.

“Until there are zeroes on the clock, we're gonna keep on coming.”

Another three-and-out gave the Tornado possession at their own 22 late in the third quarter. But on second down, Matt McGregor stepped in front of a Schnur pass for an interception at the Butler 19, setting up Santiago's fourth touchdown run of the night early in the fourth.

“That waggle play was there all night,” Christy said. That kid (McGregor) just sat on that one. He read the play.”

Still, the Tornado fought back. Butler drove to the McDowell 13-yard line, but was pushed back by a quarterback sack. A desperation Schnur pass on fourth-and-26 was picked off by Hunter Hodges and returned 56 yards into Butler territory, setting up the final score of the game.

“When they were coming at us, we had to keep our composure and make big plays at key times,” Santiago said. “That's what we did.”

Butler fumbled six times — losing four — and threw three interceptions. McDowell did not fumble. A Baxter interception was the Trojans' lone turnover.

McDowell won its 12th District 10 title and third in a row. The Trojans play Taylor Allderdice at 7 p.m. Friday at Cupples Stadium.

Schnur threw for 110 yards Saturday and finished the season with 1,579 yards and 12 touchdowns passing. Ethan Trettel, who missed the final few games of the season with a fractured foot, had 25 catches for 512 yards.

Littoejohn had 10 carries for 85 yards, Baxter 19 carries for 76 Saturday. Butler ran for 190 yards.

“This is going to go down as the season that brought Butler football back,” Baxter said. “We seniors are proud of that. Our juniors and sophomores are going to carry it on.”

Butler 0 7 14 0 — 21

McDowell 13 13 0 14 — 40

First Quarter

M — Christian Santiago 15 run (Alex Sontheimer kick), 10:35

M — Santiago 2 run (kick blocked), 1:129

Second Quarter

B — Cooper Baxter 8 pass from Mac Schnur (Max Gianneski kick), 2:24

M — Artis Simmons 13 run (run failed), 1:02

M — Santiago 6 run (Sontheimer kick), :23

Third Quarter

B — Braylon Littlejohn 24 run (Gianneski kick), 9:10

B — Littlejohn 2 run (Gianneski kick), 3:10

Fourth Quarter

M — Santiago 1 run (Sontheimer kick), 11:56

M — Santiago 4 run (Sontheimer kick), 2:34

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Butler, Mac Schnur 3-(-27), Cooper Baxter 19-76, TEAM 2-(-5), Braylon Littlejohn 10-85, Lance Slater 9-40, Landon Lacey 3-21. McDowell, Ben Moore 3-38, Christian Santiago 13-71, Ray Jackson 5-45, Artis Simmons 14-91.

Passing: Butler, Mac Schnur 7-17-110-3. McDowell, Ben Moore 3-9-7-1, Christian Santiago 1-2-29-0.

Receiving: Butler, Lance Slater 1-50, Charlie Kreinbucher 1-22, Cooper Baxter 4-27, Isaiah Kelly 1-11. McDowell, Ray Jackson 1-2, Artis Simmons 2-35, Trey Goodwine 1-(-1).