Butler football kicks off PIAA heat week and avoids thunderstorms: See photos from Day 1 of practice
BUTLER TWP — Storms rolled through Butler County on Monday, offering a not-so-welcoming start to the PIAA football preseason.
But the Butler Golden Tornado caught a break and were able to get a full practice in on the Art Bernardi Stadium turf before heading to Clarion University for their annual week of training camp.
Heat acclimatization week started Monday, but the storms and humidity didn’t exactly provide the type of “heat” the week is named for. No matter, football is here.
Fresh off the best season in nearly 30 years at 7-3, the Tornado are ready for the burden, weight, pressure — whatever one wants to call it — of replicating that success.
“Probably all of the above,” coach Eric Christy said Thursday at Butler Eagle Football Media Day. “I just look at it as another season. … We wanna continue gaining momentum, we wanna continue getting kids to enjoy the sport.”
The Tornado focused mainly on offense, and quarterbacks Nicco Baggetta and Will Dunaway, who are battling for the starting role, looked crisp during individual passing drills. Dunaway unleashed a few impressive deep balls, while Baggetta’s command of the overall offense as the returning starter was apparent.
“I feel like everybody improved,” senior receiver Nash Cuffman said about what he’s excited about this season.
Butler heads to Clarion University on Tuesday morning, and will be joined by Union/A-C Valley and other teams, for the rest of heat acclimatization week. Teams can begin full padded practices starting with the sixth practice, which is typically held the second week of the preseason.
-
Butler receiver Charles Rodgers, left, pulls down a one-handed catch while Wilde Paul defends during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler lineman Jordan Vicari tackles a teammate during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler quarterback Nicco Baggetta launches a pass during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler's Jake Kollinger, left, catches a pass in front of Mark Walter, right, during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler's AJ Morris, back, kicks a field goal with Nicco Baggetta, front, holding during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler receiver Charles Rodgers, left, pulls down a one-handed catch while Wilde Paul defends during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler players run through a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler players work on tackling during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler's offense lines up for a play during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler's Wilde Paule runs up the sideline during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
A Butler football coach works on conditioning drills with players during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
-
Butler's Nash Cuffman (15), runs with the football during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
