BUTLER TWP— The fate of Butler's football season has come down to three games.

"No question, our backs are against the wall,"Golden Tornado coach Garry Cathell said. "The good news is that we still control our own destiny. The bad news is we've left ourselves with no margin for mistakes."

If Butler wins its next three games — at North Hills at 7:30 p.m. Friday, at North Allegheny and home to Seneca Valley — it will make the WPIAL playoffs. Win two of the three and the Tornado likely would need McDowell to finish fifth or sixth in the Quad North to qualify.

Hardly an ideal position for a team returning 19 starters and a bevy of seniors.

A three-game losing streak has thrown the Tornado (2-4, 0-2) into this quandary.

"This is hard on our kids right now," Cathell said. "They don't understand what's going on. We tell them all the time, work hard and good things will come.

"They've been working hard and not too many good times have happened for them. You can only get slapped in the face so long before you either turn the other cheek or stand up to it."

Cathell described North Hills (4-2, 2-0) as the fastest team in the section. That fact might delay cornerback Ian Haley's return from a knee injury this week.

Haley was given the green light to practice, but he isn't running at his regular speed.

"It's tough to throw him out there against North Hills if he's not fully ready,"Cathell said.

Receiver-corner-kick returner Cory Haley remains out with a knee injury, and fullback Ben Ashcraft is doubtful with a neck problem. Running back Michael Bresnahan remains sidelined as well.

Receiver-cornerback Andy Strutt is questionable for Friday's game with shoulder, wrist and knee ailments. Strutt has 28 catches for 229 yards, but did not practice early this week.

If he is unable to play, sophomore Mason McLaughlin will join Dan D'Amore in the defensive backfield.

"Injuries are beginning to creep up on us again, but every team has people banged up at this time of year,"Cathell said.

Aaron Dorondo, who rushed for 85 yards in last week's 21-16 loss to Shaler, will return to fullback Friday night. Cameron McDonald-Cahill might get a longer look in the backfield as well.

McDonald-Cahill has breakaway speed, but he has just two carries for negative five yards in varsity action.

"He's been banged up all year and nobody but us knows anything about him,"Cathell said. "He may be able to help us down there (at Martorelli Stadium)."

Quarterback Nick Monteleone has completed 87 of 163 passes for 952 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He leads the Tornado ground game with 293 yards, but had only seven carries last week.

"We succeeded in taking some of the load off Nick and we'll continue to do that,"Cathell said.

Jordan Roycroft has 28 catches for 344 yards for the Tornado. Dorondo has 12 catches for 149.

On defense, Dan McPherson has 48 tackles, including 18 solos, while Dorondo has 44 and Regan Young 41. Cory Haley had three interceptions in the season opener at Kiski Area, but Butler has picked off only four more passes since.

Cathell said his defense will have to contain the Indians' speed.

"North Hills plays nice defense and they execute so well,"Cathell said. "We're going to have to execute our game plan, stay in the game and try to win it late.

"We're going to come out swinging Friday night. we'll let it all hang out. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain,"he added.