BUTLER — Technically, it’s not a playoff game.

In reality, it is.

Butler (2-2) is treating Friday night’s home game against Erie (2-2) at Art Bernardi Stadium as the latter. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

“This is the game we have to have. A win puts us in the playoffs,” Golden Tornado coach Eric Christy said. “It guarantees us that extra week.”

Butler, Erie and McDowell are the only three Class 6A teams in District 10. McDowell is the traditional power in D-10 and figures to play the Erie-Butler winner for the district championship.

“We both know the importance of this game,” Erie coach Andre Henderson said.

The Tornado defeated Erie the past two years, 37-20 last season and 27-23 in 2021, both games being played in Erie.

“This is the first time we’ve gotten them at our place,” Christy said. “They were supposed to come down (in 2020), but that game got canceled.”

The Royals have defeated East Cleveland Shaw (38-0) and SJCT out of Buffalo, N.Y., 14-2. Their losses are 14-4 to Euclid (Ohio) and 47-21 to McDowell last week.

Verquan Darnell is Erie’s quarterback and threw for 205 yards in its first three games. Nyciere Smith leads the ground game with 200 yards while Tajhae Thomas has rushed for 167.

Keon Somerville is Erie’s leading receiver with five catches for 92 yards.

“This team is better than they've been the past couple of years,” Christy said. “They always bring the speed at the skilled positions and they keep you guessing with their formations offensively.

“They’ll give you a Wing-T look, use the I-formation, shotgun spread ... They use a unique formation with two quarterbacks in the backfield. I’ve never seen another team besides them ever do that.”

“We put in a lot more stuff this year,” Henderson said. “This team has bonded together. They worked out and hung out together over the summer. They’ve formed a brotherhood and that’s improved the play of this team.

“One of our top backs has been out so far this season and we get him back this week. Nyciere is our leading running back, but weer have three or four guys we use back there.”

Ends Javier Lucas and Kaleb Nickson, along with safety Markel Pope, lead the Royals defensively. Lucas has three quarterback sacks.

“They run a lot of 34 fronts and like to load the box,” Christy said.

Erie allowed 28 total points in its first three games before McDowell scored 47 on the Royals last week.

“We’ve preached to our kids about staying home and reading their keys instead of running around all over the place,” Henderson. “They thought they could get away with just being good athletes on defense. They learned that lesson and are playing more disciplined football.”

Braylon Littlejohn figures to start at quarterback again for Butler. He threw for 191 yards, but had four interceptions in last week’s 33-13 loss to Hollidaysburg. He’s rushed for 347 yards on the season, averaging 8.3 yards per carry.

Landon Lacey has 17 carries for 114 yards, David Graef 20 carries for 89. Graef has 15 catches for 147, Lacey eight for 168. Ian Wilson has seven catches for 88 yards.

“Braylon’s getting more comfortable back there as he’s getting more reps,” Christy said. “He’s only going to get better.”

AJ Baker, the Tornado’s center, was named the team’s Lineman of the Week. Terrell Holderman and Allen Crispen both had 10 tackles against Hollidaysburg. The pair lead Butler defensively with 22 and 27 tackles, respectively.

“I an;t say enough good things about Littlejohn,” Henderson said. “Butler is a legit team and a strong program. This game is going to be a dogfight.”

“We need to make the most of this opportunity and get into the playoffs,” Christy said. “It’s a momentum game, too. We have Seneca Valley next and we’ve all been pointing to that game. It’s no secret the kids know where it is on the schedule.

“But the game this week is the one we have to have.”