BUTLER TWP — The Butler football team hasn't been to the WPIALplayoffs since 1998 and hasn't posted a winning season since 1997.

That hasn't stopped other Quad North teams from talking up the Golden Tornado.

"They seem to have placed the target on our back,"said fifth-year Butler coach Garry Cathell.

It's not because of what Butler has done on the field over the past few seasons. It's because of what they're capable of doing this season.

The Tornado return nine starters on both sides of the football, along with a potent passing attack, their four leading tacklers and one of the best kickers in the WPIAL.

A winning season would give Cathell the 100th win of his high school 22-year head coaching career.

"We're excited about the season and what we could do," senior quarterback Nick Monteleone said. "But the truth is, we haven't done a thing yet. We still have to prove ourselves."

Butler's offense began proving itself late last season. Benefiting from a spread attack over the last few games, Monteleone threw for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 447 yards and nine TDs.

Receivers Jordan Roycroft (48 catches for 611 yards) and Andy Strutt (43-590) also return, as does tight end Aaron Dorondo (11-194).

Fullback Ben Ashcraft (296 yards rushing, 111 receiving) is back. He, Monteleone and returning right tackle Randy Craig are the team's tri-captains.

Four starting offensive linemen are back: Craig, center Ryan Miller, right guard Tyler Kristophel and left tackle Anthony McElhinny.

"We want to run the football a little more this year," Cathell said. "I'd say we'll be 60-40 passing and running. You have to keep defenses honest by showing you can run the football."

"Any back wants to get carries,"Ashcraft said. "But when you can throw the ball like we can ... I spend a lot of time working on my pass-blocking. We all do. If you can't pass-block, you can't be in the backfield."

Senior Mike Horsman and junior Jeff Achezinski are vying for the left guard spot on offense. Joining Ashcraft and Monteleone in the backfield will be either Dan D'amore, Dan McPherson, Ryan Bock or Cameron Cahill-McDonald.

At times, Butler will use three- and four-receiver sets and go with a single back.

"We have so many options that way,"Cathell said. "Adam Zaccari, Ian and Cory Haley give us more depth at receiver, and there's some quality younger kids coming up.

"Our offensive package should be flexible and effective."

Defensively, the Tornado are playing a 43 this season, moving last year's team leader in quarterback sacks with 10, Eric Petanovich, to outside linebacker.

Returning up front are nose guard Kristophel, tackle Craig and end Joe Titler. Petanovich (73 tackles) joins Alex Tatangelo (team-leading 86 tackles last year) and Dorondo (62 tackles) at linebacker.

"I like playing the 43,"Petanovich said. "The linebackers are more mobile and can roam the field more. We'll have to play more as a unit, though."

Butler's secondary also has veteran starters in Cory Haley at a corner, Ian Haley at free safety and Reagan Young at strong safety.

Zaccari and D'amore are competing for playing time at the other corner, and Lee Stalker is the leading candidate to join Titler at defensive end.

"We're trying to keep kids in the same positions,"Cathell said. "We've got the experience. Now we have to step up our physical play.

"The 43 better suits our personnel. We have more linebacker-types this year. Our defensive line has to keep the blockers off them, though, because we're not real big."

Chris Haley booted 11 field goals and 18 PATs last year and returns as kicker. Strutt returns as his holder, Titler as the long snapper.

Haley will handle the punting chores this year as well.

"Chris is good at both,"Cathell said. "He was just stuck behind Andrew Goettler (at punter) last year. Joe Titler is one of the best long-snappers I've seen in high school."

While Butler expects to be improved, North Allegheny also returns a bevy of starters.

Butler was 4-0 outside of section play last season, but only 1-5 against section foes.

"North Hills is North Hills, Shaler has a good junior class ... This league is tough," Cathell said. "We're capable of competing with every team on our schedule. That doesn't mean it's easy."