McAnallen

BUTLER TWP— Developing a winning football program is a step-by-step process.

Butler took a huge step from its first scrimmage to its second, according to first-year coach Jeff McAnallen.

"We were worlds better,"he said. "I couldn't be more pleased with the way these kids are responding."

The Golden Tornado faced Gateway, which is favored to win the WPIALQuad-Atitle and is rated among the best high school teams in the nation, in their first scrimmage and were defeated decisively.

Butler took on Woodland Hills last weekend and battled to a 1-1 deadlock.

"I challenged our defense to stop their running game and we did that,"McAnallen said. "Our overall performance was very encouraging."

The Tornado open the 2007 season at 7:30 p.m. Friday by hosting Kiski Area at Art Bernardi Stadium. Butler has defeated the Cavaliers in each of the past two seasons — 24-14 in 2005 and 26-0 last year — but the Tornado return only three lettermen after graduating 28 seniors in the spring.

Gone is the aerial game provided by veteran quarterback Nick Monteleone and his skilled receivers. It is replaced by a sophomore, Cole Harvey, making his first varsity start behind center, and a versatile ground attack based on misdirection.

"Cole's doing a good job handling the football and directing the offense,"McAnallen said. "He'll be versatile throwing and running the football."

The high-powered passing game Friday night will be provided by Kiski, as quarterback Josh Vick returns from a knee injury that curtailed a promising 2006 season. Vick threw for a WPIAL-leading 1,100 yards before going down in Week 5.

"They have a lot of highly skilled players and they try to get the ball to them outside and let their speed take over,"McAnallen said. "They come up with the big play.

"In their two scrimmages, they scored touchdowns on 40- and 50-yard plays. Obviously, that's something we have to prevent."

The Cavaliers scrimmaged Mount Pleasant, Franklin Regional and Connellsville.

McAnallen said his offense will feature a spread, multiple formations, play-action passing and a lot of running plays.

"We have to be able to run and be a ball-control offense. That's our best chance to win right now," he said.

Joining Harvey in the backfield will be fullback Christos Klutinoty and wingbacks Mason McLaughlin and Cameron McDonald-Cahill. The latter two will be slotted as receivers as well as running backs.

The Butler defense is led by its linebacking corps. T.J. Lesniewski and Jordan Emrick are middle linebackers with Tony Andreassi and Tony Fudoli the outside linebackers. All four are juniors.

Another early-season standout is sophomore Eli Christy, who has nailed down a starting position at safety.

"Eli has shown major improvement over the past three weeks,"McAnallen said. "He's the quarterback of the defense back there."

McAnallen is most pleased by the way some players have emerged as team leaders. With so little playing experience returning, that was a concern entering summer camp.

"Tony Andreassi, T.J. Lesniewski, Jordan Emrick and Mason McLaughlin have developed as leaders," the coach said. "They're taking care of the team and they've already had a meeting among themselves to talk about how they wanted things to get done.

"I like where this is going."