BUTLER TWP - The WPIAL football playoffs are out of the question for Butler.

Getting a victory isn't.

The winless Golden Tornado (0-7, 0-5) host Mt. Lebanon (3-4, 2-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium on senior recognition night.

"Our kids were angry after last week (28-24 loss to Bethel Park)," Butler coach Garry Cathell said. "They want to win so badly. They're still hungry and I'm hoping that carries on to the field Friday."

Linebacker Dan Tatangelo injured his knee last week and is listed as questionable this week. Butler is healthy otherwise.

"The kids feel better about themselves this week," Cathell said. "It's not that they're accepting losing, it's that they know they played better.

"At times against Bethel Park, we were the better football team. That's been the case in some other games, too. We just haven't been able to put a full game together."

Butler has never put a full game together against Mt. Lebanon, being outscored by the Blue Devils 121-26 over the past four meetings - all losses.

"Mt. Lebanon is very disciplined and very regimented," Cathell said. "They do a lot of the same things Bethel does offensively. They line up in an I formation and come right at you behind a big, powerful line.

"Defensively, they use an event front, and we've been used to blocking against odd fronts. We'll be working on that a lot this week.

"We've had a hard time moving the ball on them in the past, but I've noticed they've been giving up some points this year. Seneca Valley scored 30 on them," Cathell added.

Mt. Lebanon has allowed an average of 20.6 points per game this season.

Cathell said his defense played improved football last week despite allowing more than 300 yards rushing. Chris Boris had 270 all-purpose yards and all four of Bethel Park's touchdowns.

While Boris led Bethel Park to that win, Cathell insisted Butler has a team leader like Boris, Ryan Lehmeier of North Hills, Andrew McMillen of North Allegheny or Sean Lee of Upper St. Clair.

"But all of those kids play skilled positions," Cathell said. "This is Nate Hartung's team. He's our leader, but he's a lineman and by the nature of the position, there's only so much he can do.

"Nate had 16 pancake blocks again Friday. That's impressive, but it can't take over a game. I said in preseason that our leadership would come from the line and we'd be inexperienced at the skill positions."

That is changing, however. With sophomore quarterback Nick Monteleone at 806 yards passing and Bob Alexander at 642 yards rushing, Butler has a shot at having a 1,000-yard quarterback and 1,000-yard running back returning next year.

After Friday's game with Mt. Lebanon, the Tornado will close the season at winless Seneca Valley and at home against Norwin in a crossover game. The date of the Norwin game is undetermined.

"We have younger players who are coming on," Cathell said. (Sophomore) Ian Haley had seven solo tackles, nine assists and an interception last Friday. But that doesn't mean he's ready to be a leader out there. Shane Snyder and Marcus Hough are other guys like that.

"Noah Hartung keeps getting better. I like what I'm seeing in terms of personnel."

When Monteleone is a senior, will he have the leadership and playing ability of guys like Lehmeier, Boris and McMillen?

"I like to believe that's going to happen," Cathell said.

For now, Butler will practice and prepare for its final three games the same way it did for the previous seven.

"We're still playing to win," Cathell said. "That hasn't changed here. We owe that to the upperclassmen who have worked so hard."