BUTLER TWP - Another year older, another year wiser - and another year hungrier.

Butler already has erased memories of last year's 1-9 season and is working on creating more positive memories this season.

"Our kids couldn't wait for the first day of practice to get here because it meant last year was officially ended," coach Garry Cathell said. "It's time to move on."

And the Golden Tornado are moving on with close to the same cast of characters as last year, only those sophomores are now juniors.

"Last year was the first time those kids experienced losing," Cathell said. "They're determined not to let it happen again."

Butler graduated only six starters from last season: Two-way linemen Noah Hartung, Adam Pritts and Josh Wachter, fullback-linebacker Dan Tatangelo, linebacker Frank Kowalkowski and guard Charlie Rodgers.

All of the skilled position starters return on offense, including quarterback Nick Monteleone, running backs Ben Ashcraft and Bobby Alexander, receivers Jordan Roycroft, Adam Zaccari and Shane Snyder.

Noah Hartung, who had 25 catches for 298 yards last season, is shifting from receiver to tight end.

"I had my most productive game catching the ball against Upper St. Clair last year - and I played tight end that game," Hartung said. "Now I can help out with the blocking schemes, too."

Marcus Hough, a third-year starter on the offensive line, moves from guard to center this year. Randy Craig and Anthony McElhinny are tackles, Tyler Kristophel, Joe Titler, Nick and Nate Shulik working at guard.

"We lost a lot of experience up front, but we're still big and strong there physically," Cathell said. "But we don't have a lot of depth on the line."

Monteleone threw for 1,187 yards, six touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a sophomore last year. Alexander rushed for 992 yards and 11 TDs.

"Nick worked hard all summer," Cathell said. "He's prepared himself to have a big season. He's already shown tremendous improvement."

Ashcraft rushed for 167 yards and two TDs last year as a fullback. He's been moved to halfback this season.

Aaron Dorondo and Mike Porter are competing for the fullback position. Dorondo missed all of last year with a dislocated shoulder.

Jade Burka, a senior out for football for the first time, is working at tight end along with Eric Petanovich.

"We've got a lot of depth in the skilled positions," Cathell said.

The Tornado will play a 50 defense that's been reorganized from a year ago.

"Last year, our defense was based on reacting and counterpunching," Cathell said. "This year, we're doing more attacking. We're gonna get after people."

McElhinny, Hough, Craig, Kristophel and Ryan Miller are among the defensive linemen in the mix. Hartung, Phil Scialabba, Dorondo, Ashcraft and Burka are inside linebackers.

Petanovich, Titler and Porter are outside linebackers. Zaccari, Ian and Cory Haley are among the cornerbacks.

Dan D'Amore, Mast Saeler and Shane Snyder are leading candidates at strong safety, along with Alexander and Andy Goettler.

Hartung, Goettler and Scialabba are tri-captains this season.

"Everybody's a lot more confident this year," Goettler said. "We weren't as together last year as we are this year.

"As a group, we're determined to turn this around. We're more of a team."

"We've got a job to do as seniors," Hartung said. "We have to get things headed in the right direction."

Chris Haley returns as the Tornado's kicker and Goettler handles the punting duties.

"Chris has been putting four out of every five kickoffs into the end zone and that's a big plus," Cathell said. "We can get more people on the field on special teams.

"We've got 90 kids out for the team, compared to 69 last year. We have 75 to 80 freshmen - kids are still interested in the program and what we're doing with it."

Butler's goals are simple: Just get to the playoffs and work from there.

"We want to be one of the six teams (from the Quad North) to get in there," Cathell said. "How we fall in that mix doesn't matter.

"Just getting there gives you the opportunity to begin your second season. Like everybody else, I don't like to lose, but, no, I don't feel the pressure of win or else. I can't coach that way.

"I want to retire here. I still believe the program's going in the right direction and I'm getting plenty of support from others who feel the same way," Cathell added.

Butler has not been to the WPIAL playoffs since 1998.