Butler football accomplishes something it hasn’t since 1990s with blowout of Brashear to close out season
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Butler's Jordan Vicari (55) tries to block a pass from Brashear's David Kessler (1) in a football game Friday, Oct 30, 2026, at Butler's Art Bernardi Stadium. Stu Bauler/Special to the Eagle
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Butler's Jacob Kollinger (42) runs past Brashear defenders to the end zone in a football game Friday, Oct 30, 2026, at Butler's Art Bernardi Stadium. Stu Bauler/Special to the Eagle
BUTLER TWP — In a game that featured 32 first downs, 662 yards of offense and 81 points, one play proved to be the most significant.
Butler taking a knee to run out the clock on a season-ending 55-26 football victory over Brashear on Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
“We have 11 seniors on the team, and we sent all 11 out together to take that knee,” Butler head coach Eric Christy said. “That was a pretty cool moment, and I know it meant a lot to those kids.”
Several seniors had big nights for the Golden Tornado (6-4), who polished off a second consecutive winning season for the first time since 1996-97.
“I was a sophomore and junior on those teams back then,” Christy said. “I never thought it would take 30 years for that to happen again, but I’m glad it did. All that’s left now is to continue pushing the program forward.”
Four seniors scored touchdowns for the Tornado.
Jacob Kollinger caught a flare pass and turned it into a 42-yard score to get Butler on the board. Kollinger added a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Kevin Shriver scored on runs of 4 and 7 yards and had one of three Butler interceptions.
Nicco Baggetta and Nash Cuffman both found the end zone, as well. Baggetta returned a kickoff 67 yards for a touchdown, and Cuffman hauled in a 10-yard scoring pass from freshman Coby Christy.
Since Week 4, Baggetta has been playing with a torn UCL in his elbow and a separated shoulder.
“It was a blessing, being able to get a touchdown tonight,” he said. “I just had to play through those things. I love the guys on this team too much. To not play, it would have felt like I was letting them down.
“I scored a touchdown during the first game I ever played on this field and now the last game I’ll ever play here. I can’t ask for anything more.”
Cuffman broke his ankle in the first quarter of the season opener against Shaler. The senior receiver did not return to action until last week.
He not only had a touchdown reception, but Cuffman turned in a circus catch for a 30-yard gain down to the Brashear 7-yard line. Shriver scored his touchdown on the next play.
“I scored two touchdowns last year and, man, I felt like I had to get one this year,” Cuffman said. “The route was there and Coby made a nice throw. That other catch … I saw the ball tipped in the air (by the defender) and I spun around.
“The ball happened to come down right in my hands. That was fun.”
For Cuffman and Baggetta, so is playing football.
“I worked hard to come back from my injury. We all love this game so much,” Cuffman said. “This was going to be my last year of football. I wasn’t gonna watch it from the sidelines.”
Tornado quarterback Will Dunaway threw for 119 yards, giving him 1,045 yards passing for the season. Deacon Simko, another senior, caught three passes for 89 yards and rushed for 31 more. He had a touchdown run called back by a penalty.
Sophomore Patrick Kisoma had an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown. Vance Elliott, another sophomore, picked off a pass, as well.
Brashear (4-6) quarterback David Kessler threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with an injury in the second half. Gerard Williams had six catches for 128 yards for the Bulls.
“(Brashear head coach Andrew Moore) and I both went to Clarion University, so we have a connection there,” Coach Christy said. “I’m glad we could get together and play this game. It meant a lot to both of us.
“Thanks go out to (Butler athletic director) Bill Mylan for his efforts in getting us this 10th game. He’s always supported this program, and I love working for him.”
Brashear 0 6 6 14 — 26
Butler 14 14 20 7 — 55
First Quarter
B — Jacob Kollinger 42 pass from Will Dunaway (A.J. Morris kick), 2:20
B — Patrick Kisoma 82 interception return (Morris kick), 1:04
Second Quarter
Br — Joseph Bell 23 pass from David Kessler (pass failed), 9:54
B — Kollinger 2 run (Morris kick), 6:52
B — Kevin Shriver 4 run (Morris kick), 1:04
Third Quarter
B — Nash Cuffman 10 pass from Coby Christy (Morris kick), 11:25
Br — Gerard Williams 17 pass from Kessler (pass failed), 8:14
B — Nicco Baggetta 67 kick return (Morris kick), 8:00
B — Shriver 7 run (kick blocked), 4:05
Fourth Quarter
B — Roman Lacey 8 run (Morris kick), 10:45
Br — Eric Kessler 19 pass from Williams (pass failed), 4:07
Br — Williams 1 run (Bell pass from Williams),: 15
Individual Statistics
Passing: Brashear, David Kessler 13-27-2158-3, Gerard Williams 3-5-41-0. Butler, Will Dunaway 4-11-119-0, Coby Christy 4-7-63-0, Nash Cuffman 1-1-32-0.
Rushing: Brashear, David Kessler 14-18, Joseph Bell 2-17, Mannasseh Garner Jr. 2-(-1), Eric Kessler 3-3, Gerard Williams 7-56. Butler, Will Dunaway 1-6, TEAM 1-(-6), Nicco Baggetta 1-4, Kevin Shriver 4-31, Jacob Kollinger 6-28, Coby Christy 2-17, Deacon Simko 3-43, Roman Lacey 3-14.
Receiving: Brashear, Joseph Bell 5-62, Mannasseh Garner Jr. 1-9, Gerard Williams 6-128, Eric Kessler 4-60. Butler, Deacon Simko 3-89, Nicco Baggetta 1-16, Nash Cuffman 2-40, Will Dunaway 1-32, Jacob Kollinger 2-37.
