Butler quarterback Cooper Baxter looks for an opening on a scramble during the Golden Tornado's loss to Baldwin Aug. 30. Baxter has become a threat with both his arm and his legs for Butler as it prepares to take on powerhouse Pine-Richland at home.

The WPIAL Board of Control has denied a request from Butler High School for release from that district for football only.

Butler hoped to gain that release to join District 10 for the 2020 season.

"We were hoping they (WPIAL) would be more understanding of our situation and would give us their support," Butler football coach Eric Christy said. "This doesn't sound very supportive. I see where they are coming from, though. They don't want to set a precedent where any team struggling in one sport can just leave."

Butler football is coming off consecutive 0-10 seasons and has not had a winning year since 1997.

This is a breaking news report — read a full article about the decision in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.