BUTLER TWP — The number 42 and Martorelli Stadium are synonymous when it comes to Butler football.

North Hills has scored that many points on the Golden Tornado, winning 42-7 in 2006, 42-21 in 2005 and 42-2 in 2003, the last three times Butler has played there.

But the Tornado (3-3, 0-2) have more on their minds than recent history as they prepare to venture to North Hills (5-1, 2-0) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday night.

Quarterback Cole Harvey will be a game-time decision after suffering a bruise to his upper rib cage during last week's 21-14 loss to Pine-Richland.

"It's tricky because the bruise is on a higher rib,"Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said. "Any contact for Cole in practice this week is out. We'll see how he feels Friday night and make the call."

In the meantime, Eli Christy is getting plenty of reps behind center this week. Christy played roughly half the game last week after Harvey got shaken up.

If Christy does play quarterback Friday, a combination of Zach Harrison, Jake Thompson and Nathan Neff will fill his role in the backfield.

Besides Harvey's situation, Butler is healthy as it tries to end a seven-game losing streak to the Indians. The Tornado's last win over North Hills was a 28-20 decision in 2000 at Art Bernardi Stadium.

The Tornado suffered its loss to Pine-Richland because of a 17-play Rams touchdown drive in the third quarter that took more than eight minutes.

"We had mistakes on two third-down plays during that drive and had a bad call go against us on another one,"McAnallen said.

Butler cornerback Mason McLaughlin was flagged for pass interference in the end zone during that march, giving the Rams a first down instead of forcing them to try a 37-yard field goal.

"On film, it looks like Mason never even touched him,"McAnallen said. "The pass was way out in front and their kid stumbled while going after it.

"In high school football, officials usually don't call pass interference unless an actual catch is being prevented. But they called this one and there's nothing we can do about it."

Butler did have some bright spots on defense last week, forcing three turnovers. Joe Marak recovered two fumbles and Luke Gilliland grabbed one. T.J. Lesniewski had 12 total tackles and Jordan Emrick had four solo stops, two for loss, and a sack.

The Tornado rushed for 139 yards against Pine-Richland, a figure McAnallen knows has to increase Friday.

"For us to beat this team, we have to control the ball and produce some long drives," he said. "Their offense is so potent. I haven't seen a team put up 31 points that fast in a high-school football game in a long time."

North Hills broke open a close game against Seneca Valley in the second half to post a 52-21 win last week.

Justin Heinauer, son of Mars head coach Scott Heinauer, is a senior and returning starter at quarterback for the Indians. Lloyd Phillips is his deep threat at receiver.

"Phillips can fly downfield and Heinauer can throw the ball 50 or 60 yards in the air," McAnallen said. "The kid just runs underneath the ball and catches it."

Friday will mark McAnallen's first return to Martorelli Stadium since he was an assistant coach at North Hills.

"I worked with their seniors from the time they were in seventh grade through 10th grade,"McAnallen said. "It's not the stadium I miss, it's the people in it. I still wish them well, except when they play us.

"This is close to a must game for us. Our kids want a winning record and they want in the playoffs. We know we have to win two of the next three to get there."