BUTLER TWP - The Golden Tornado are getting better physically and mentally.

Butler football coach Garry Cathell, admittedly disappointed after last week's 16-15 last-minute loss at Hempfield, said his squad is in much better shape mentally than he originally feared.

"I was concerned with our mental psyche," Cathell said. "When we got back to practice, we (coaches) sat down and talked to the kids, and let them talk to find out what they were feeling.

"They still feel they're a pretty good football team and they're excited about their conference opener. That's all I needed to hear," he added.

The Tornado begin conference play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Upper St. Clair, a team that has reeled off 11 consecutive regular season victories and 19 of 20 dating back to the 2002 campaign.

Butler inside linebacker Frank Kowalkowski is back from injury this week and tight end Josh Wachter has been upgraded to questionable after getting the cast removed from his broken arm Tuesday.

"We won't know Josh's status until later in the week," Cathell said. "I'm thrilled about getting Frank back because we're so thin at that position.

"He (Kowalkowski) probably won't start, but he'll definitely see action."

Despite scoring just 25 points in its first two games, Butler has rushed for 396 yards in its first two contests. Bob Alexander has 275 of those yards on 23 carries.

The Tornado's passing attack has yet to arrive, however, as quarterback Nick Monteleone has completed only eight of 36 passes for 72 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Monteleone has been sacked eight times in two games.

"Nick isn't playing at high school speed yet," Cathell said. "But he's our quarterback and he's going to get better.

"We're working with him on things and he's working at things. The day's going to come when he doesn't play like a sophomore anymore," he added.

Butler running backs Alexander and Bobby Ridley both suffered cramps in the second half last week at Hempfield. Cathell said his team might pull its uniform socks down so they don't cover the calf muscles this Friday.

"A couple of people have told me our socks might be playing a factor there," the coach said. "We're willing to try anything. We need to keep these kids on the field."

Defensively, Butler has forced five turnovers in two games, with Phil Scialabba, Ian Haley, Ridley and Adam Pritts getting the takeaways, but also has yielded 32 first downs.

In the second halves of those first two games, the opposition churned out 18 first downs to Butler's nine.

"With our top two running backs unavailable, the Hempfield game reminded me of our game at Kiski Area two years ago," Cathell said. "We had the lead, a makeshift backfield, trying to hold on and run out the clock."

In facing Upper St. Clair, Butler might be catching a team that's looking past them.

"Nobody's picking us to win this game," Cathell said. "Our game this week isn't even considered a game in the eyes of most people.

"This would be a big win for us, obviously. Do I put it past our kids to win this game? No. Maybe this is the week we play well and get it done. Nick is a talented quarterback and maybe it comes together for him this week.

"I know some people are writing us off, but we haven't even played a league game yet. … We haven't played a home game yet. Everybody in our section is 0-0 right now," Cathell added.

Through two scrimmages and two games, Cathell said his team has gotten better each week.

"I don't want to keep talking about how young we are, but it's a fact," he said. "The kids are getting more reps and our sophomores and first-year starters are improving.

"A lot can happen over the next seven games. We may be playing at Seneca Valley for a playoff spot in Week 9."

BUTLER AT UPPER ST. CLAIR

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7:30 p.m. Friday

Statistic:

Butler running back Bob Alexander has 275 yards on just 23 carries - an average of 12 yards per carry.

Streak:

The Golden Tornado have lost six consecutive road games dating back to last year.

Strategy:

Butler will try to keep Upper St. Clair's defense on its toes through a variety of plays designed to slow down the Panthers' aggressiveness.

Speaking:

"How do you get rid of a losing mentality? Always stay positive. That's what we're doing with these kids. It (Butler's fortunes) will change." - Butler coach Garry Cathell