BUTLER TWP — Like father, like son?

Well, sort of.

Butler junior Braylon Littlejohn has developed into an explosive, versatile football and basketball player for the Golden Tornado. A wide receiver-cornerback this past fall, he may be shifted to quarterback next season.

A guard in basketball, he can also guard big men down low, block shots and dunk the ball with relative ease.

Braylon’s father, Calvin Littlejohn, died after a nine-year battle with lupus in 2016 at the age of 30. A 2004 Butler graduate, Calvin holds the school record in the long jump, his leap of 23 feet, 3.5 inches marking the second longest in Butler County high s hool history. He rushed for more than 1,100 yards his senior season and had an electrifying, memiotrable 99-yard interception return against Seneca Valley.

Also one of the best triple and high-jumpers to ever compete at Butler — and a four-year letterman in football, basketball and track — Calvin Littlejohn was inducted into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.

“His father was one of the best athletes to ever walk the hallways here,” Butler basketball coach Matt Clement said. “I can see where carrying that last name can bring some pressure with it.

“Braylon’s handled all of that well. He’s forging his own path.”

Which is what he wants to do.

“I’m very proud of what he’s done,” Braylon said of his father. “I hear stories about him all the time, about the legacy he left at Butler. But I want to be myself, create my own way, my own accomplishments.”

His father was so good in football, Braylon nearly gave up on the sport despite a stellar career with the Butler Area Midget Football League program.

Hank Leyland coached Calvin in high school and eventually became his legal guardian. He says Braylon is like a grandson to him.

“Braylon is really into basketball and figured he’d concentrate on that,” Leyland said. “He wasn’t very big physically, either, going into high school, which may have steered him away from football. I don’t think he wanted to go through being compared to Calvin all of the time.

“One of his best friends, Deshawn Cox, talked him into coming out for football last year (sophomore season). I don’t think he regrets it. He’s had a growth spurt and that’s given him more confidence.”

After missing the first couple of games while recovering from a hand injury, Braylon wound up catching 36 passes for 652 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. He had 277 rushing yards on 31 attempts. He averaged 18 yards per reception, nine yards per rush.

College scouts like Braylon as a safety. He had two interceptions and a fumble recovery while playing cornerback for the Golden Tornado. He also did some kicking off and handled the punting duties.

“There’s nothing he can’t do ion a football field,” Butler head coach Eric Christy said. “We never used him as a pulling guard, of course, but he’s done just about everything else for us.

“Braylon will be a candidate to play quarterback for us next year. We want the ball in his hands and he is capable of throwing it. He may develop some college interest as an offensive player as well. I expect that will happen.”

Braylon has been playing basketball since third grade. He’s been playing football since he was 6 years old.

“Yeah, I almost decided not to play football in high school,” Braylon admitted. “I was a little small and thought I might get beaten up a little too much in football. Basketball was going well for me and I figured that would be the path for me.

“Deshawn and I have played football together since we were little kids. He helped me see how much I’d miss it. I’m glad I decided to play. I feel like I have more options now.”

Basketball is certainly one of them.

After serving as the Tornado’s sixth man last season, Braylon has blossomed into one of the most consistent players in the WPIAL this year. He’s scored well into double digits every game, averages nearly eight rebounds and five assists per contest.

He tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists against Eden Christian, 27 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals against Bethel Park this season.He scored 26 points against Central Florida Christian Academy, 25 against New Castle.

“Braylon is so shifty and he can contort his body, change directions so quickly when he drives to the hoop,” Clement said. “He’s the best finisher I’ve ever had. And he’s a great defender. He can guard anybody on the floor, guards or forwards.

“He’s also shooting 85% at the foul line. People think his outside shooting isn’t real good when it actually is. It’s just that he’s been so great at everything else. The way he plays — and can play so big — it’s hard to believe he’s only 6-foot-1.”

With his senior season still in front of him, Braylon is receiving collegiate looks in both sports.

“He may have opportunities, his choice, to play major college in football or basketball before he’s done here. He’s headed in that direction,” Christy said.

And whether he’s compared to his father or not ... sometimes it can’t be helped.

“Just the way he stands on the court or on the field, his mannerisms, he reminds me of Calvin,” Leyland said. “Once Braylon learned he can go his own way, make his own name for himself, he’s just taken off.

“I’m sure his dad is pretty proud right now.”