BUTLER TWP — Shaler and Butler are definitely on the same page — which could mean bad news for each other.

Both football teams return starting quarterbacks adept at throwing the football. And both want to secure victory — badly — when they clash in a mutual season opener at 7 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium.

The Titans are coming off a 2-8 season and return six starters offensively, mostly at the skilled positions.

“Absolutely, winning is foremost,” Shaler coach Jim Ryan said. “We had our scrimmage and it’s time to go. It doesn’t matter that this is a non-section game. We need to get started on the right foot, move in a positive direction right away.”

Butler coach Eric Christy feels the same way.

“It’s about establishing a winning culture,” Christy said. “We don’t want to waste any time doing that.”

Both teams are hopeful their experience behind center can go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.

Shaler quarterback Keegan Smetanka threw for well over 1,000 yards a year ago. Two of his top receivers, Joe DeSabato and Kaden Orca, are back, along with tight end Brandon London. Running back Luke Cignetti is back after missing much of last season to an ankle injury.

“Luke will provide us more balance offensively,” Ryan said. “Keegan is a versatile quarterback who can run and throw. He puts a lot of pressure on a defense.

“Our offense is our strength right now. Defensively, we had trouble stopping the run last season. We’ve had to go back and change our approach to rectify that problem.”

Shaler brings back only four starters to its defensive unit.

Butler was 5-5 overall in 2021, posting a winning regular season for the first time since 1997. The Golden Tornado will have to cool off Shaler’s high-powered passing game without their would-be top returning defensive backs.

Lance Slater is out for the season with an injury. Ian Wilson got hurt in preseason and will not be available Friday. Braylon Littlejohn has not been medically cleared to play yet as he is recovering from a preseason injury as well. Littlejohn is questionable for Friday.

“It’s a next man up mentality right now,” Christy said. “We’ve been getting other guys ready and they’ll be challenged, I’m sure. Our biggest strength right now is our experience at quarterback and our three-year starters up front.”

Mac Schnur threw for over 1,500 yards last season. Littlejohn would be his top returning receiver, if he’s able to play Friday. Otherwise, he will be throwing to new faces.

Brock Popovich, Ethan Babay and Markeis Frazier are the third-year starters for the Tornado up front. Landon Lacey will be the starting running back with Dashawn Cox and David Graef expected to see time as well.

The Tornado scrimmaged at Armstrong last weekend.

“We had a couple of scores called back by holding penalties, dropped a couple of touchdown passes ... we have some things to clean up, but that’s to be expected,” Christy said.

Butler and Shaler have not played each other since 2017. They were in the same WPIAL section for years. The Titans are now in Class 5A, the Tornado are still in District 10.

“We’re excited to be playing them again,” Ryan said. “It should be a great atmosphere in that stadium. This is a good experience for our kids.”

Butler leads the series between the teams, 22-17-1. The Tornado won the last meeting, 47-0, in 2017.