PITTSBURGH — The good news: Central Catholic running back Luigi Lista-Brinza will not play against Butler Friday night.

Despite missing the past three games with an injury, Lista-Brinza has rushed for 920 yards this season, averaging 9.4 yards per carry.

The bad news: Riley Redman will play against Butler Friday night.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior has 646 yards rushing this year, averaging 10.4 yards per carry.

“He’s an explosive kid who runs downhill,” Central Catholic coach Terry Totten said. “He can break loose for big plays.”

And so it goes with the Vikings (8-0, 6-0). They break loose for big plays all over the place. They will look to put the finishing touches on a perfect regular season when they host Butler (1-7, 1-5) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Carnegie Mellon University.

Devin Faloon, another running back, averages 5.4 yards per carry on 47 totes. J.J. Cosentino, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior quarterback, is averaging nearly 20 yards per completion, but hasn’t thrown the ball much.

When he does, deep threat Shafer Swann — son of former Steelers Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann — is his favorite target.

Cosentino is headed to Florida State next season.

“He can make all the throws,” Totten said. “I’d describe him as a pocket passer, but he’s pretty athletic, too.

“We haven’t had to throw the ball much, but we’ve been throwing it a lot more lately. We need to be well rounded for the playoffs.”

Central Catholic was bounced by Upper St. Clair, 38-0, in the WPIAL quarterfinals last season. That marked the Vikings’ earliest playoff exit since 2009.

In fact, Central has one of the best records in all of Pennsylvania High School football over the past decade — 127-17 — and has won two state championships during that time.

The Vikings returned seven starters on both sides of the ball this year.

“That really didn’t mean anything,” Totten said of the numbers coming back. “Each season unfolds in a different way. You’re never quite sure what’s going to happen.”

Nothing has been happening for Central’s opponents this season. The Vikings are averaging 44 points per game, have posted five shutouts and have allowed only 27 points all year.

Northern Eight powers North Allegheny and Seneca Valley are among the Vikings’ shutout victims.

“Our defensive coordinator, Dave Fleming, has put in a lot of work with the kids,” Totten said. “That and we’ve got a lot of experience and talent on that side of the ball. That’s all you can ask for.”

Among the top defensive players for Central are strong safety Tre Tarpley, linebacker Niko Thorpe and end Zack Deluca.

While Totten admits Butler is “a little undermanned” in this match-up, he respects the Tornado nonetheless.

“They are better than their record,” he said. “They come off the ball together and they’ve been able to put drives together. They just haven’t been able to finish.

“Our kids won’t look past them. High school football season goes by so fast. You’re only guaranteed nine games, then it’s week to week. Our kids have learned to appreciate the chance to play every game, every week.”