IRWIN — While it was a positive that Butler won its season finale Friday night at Norwin, it was the way the Golden Tornado football team won that pleased coach Garry Cathell.

"These kids were out there playing for each other," Cathell said of Butler's 37-20 victory. "Our downfield blocking was unbelievable.

Butler (4-6) jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half and never threatened to lose it. Quarterback Nick Monteleone threw for 233 yards and four touchdowns. He rushed for 116 yards and another score.

"(Receiver) Jordan Roycroft got the block that sprung Andy Strutt loose for his touchdown. (Linemen) Anthony McElhinny and Randy Craig were blocking guys 15 yards downfield. Everybody was hustling. It was fun to watch," Cathell said.

In the Tornado's final two games, Monteleone accounted for 780 yards and 11 touchdowns — six passing and five rushing.

"He's just a phenomenal athlete," Cathell said. "And he's got a pretty good supporting cast out there with him."

After Eric Petanovich sacked Norwin quarterback T.J. Salopek, forcing a fumble and setting up a Butler recovery at the Knights' 25-yard line midway through the first quarter, Chris Haley booted a 32-yard field goal to give the Tornado a 3-0 lead.

The field goal was Haley's 11th in 16 tries this season. He also drilled three kickoffs into the end zone Friday night.

On a third-and-27 play from the Butler 40, Monteleone tossed a flare pass to Strutt, who wove his way through traffic for a 60-yard touchdown play.

With 5:03 left in the half, Roycroft made an over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone on a fade pattern and it was 17-0.

Two of Norwin's three touchdown drives were extended by Butler mistakes. The Knights (1-9) shanked a punt that would have given the Tornado possession at the Norwin 25.

Butler roughed the punter, however, jump-starting an 80-yard Norwin touchdown drive.

Norwin would have turned the ball over on downs at the Butler 40 on its next possession, but the Tornado were called for pass interference with 44 seconds left in the half.

Salopek threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Mike Shanahan four plays later.

The second score only cut the gap to 24-14, as Butler tight end Aaron Dorondo turned a 6-yard pattern into a 76-yard touchdown reception.

"Their big plays hurt us all night," Norwin coach Dan Conwell said.

Monteleone scored on a 4-yard run and threw a 21-yard scoring pass to Dorondo in the second half.

Norwin turned the ball over three times as Cory Haley and Ian Haley intercepted passes. Cory Haley had four interceptions this year.

The Knights had 303 yards in offense and 21 first downs Friday. Butler allowed at least 18 first downs in six games this season.

Petanovich had three quarterback sacks Friday, giving him 12½ for the season. Alex Tatangelo led Butler in tackles this season.

"We have to change things up defensively," Cathell said. "That may involve schemes, personnel, almost anything. Alex led us in tackles and we might have been playing him out of position (at linebacker).

"It's not how you start, it's how you finish. We've been preaching that all year — and we finished pretty strong."

Notes: Monteleone finished the season with 1,793 yards passing and 12 touchdowns, 447 yards rushing and nine TDs. … Roycroft had 48 catches for 611 yards, Strutt 43 for 590. … Dan Kozak had 190 all-purpose yards for Norwin Friday: 87 rushing, 3 receiving and 100 on kickoff returns.