ALTOONA — Rob Densmore has been waiting a long time for something like this.

The third-year Butler football coach saw the Golden Tornado strike early, then overcome a couple of turnovers and the loss of starting quarterback Brandon Fleeger while stunning the Altoona Mountain Lions, 21-12, in a WPIAL Class 6A non-section game Friday night at Mansion Park.

“We always seem to be in games where we don't respond,” said Densmore, whose Butler teams had won only three of 19 games during his tenure. “Something negative always happens and we don't respond.”

Not this time.

Butler (1-1) scored twice in the first quarter and, after Altoona pulled to within 14-12, the Golden Tornado responded with another score to lead 21-12 at the half. There was no scoring after intermission, enabling the visitors to even their record at 1-1. Altoona fell to 1-2.

“We had some negatives tonight,” Densmore noted. “We had some horrific turnovers and our starting quarterback went down.

“For three years, I've been waiting for us to respond, and we did ... against a good football team,” he said. “I'm very proud of what we overcame tonight.”

Midway through the first quarter, Fleeger and Luke Michalek teamed up on a 38-yard pass-run play for a touchdown and Cade Gratzmiller booted the extra point.

On its next possession, Butler struck again — this time on a Fleeger-to-Dallas Hays connection of 36 yards, setting up a 21-yard TD scamper by Noah Ryder. Gratzmiller's PAT made it 14-0 with 2:11 left in the opening period.

Altoona (1-2) bounced back and converted a pair of turnovers into two second-period scores. Ian Weyer pounced on a fumble at the Butler 7, paving the way for a 12-yard scoring pass from Ryan Shope to Kyle Good.

Moments later, Weyer intercepted a pass at the Butler 22 and the Lions made it 14-12 on Josh Russo's 7-yard TD sweep.

Butler answered, though, taking the ensuing kickoff 73 yards in seven plays for what turned out to be the clincher.

Luke Michalek, who replaced Fleeger at QB when Fleeger left with a foot injury, scored on a 3-yard blast with 3:34 left in the half.

“Luke Michalek is a very good athlete,” Densmore said. “He's a difference maker, an athlete we haven't seen at Butler — at least in my time. He makes plays out of nothing.”

With Michalek in a wildcat position, Butler ran the ball most of the second half and was able to keep Altoona's offense off the field.

“We got behind the 8-ball again,” Altoona coach Nick Felus said, noting the early 14-0 deficit. “We've got to start eliminating the little things — mistakes, penalties.

“We knew number 5 (Michalek) was one of their better athletes. They just kept giving him the ball. It all comes down to execution.”

Butler hosts Seneca Valley next Friday in the annual battle for the Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy.