No place like home
BUTLER TWP — Butler found its offense last week at Canon-McMillan.
The Golden Tornado discovered the power of emotion as well.
Coach Jim Rankin hopes that level of emotion stays high when Butler (0-3) plays its long-awaited football home opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Pine-Richland (0-3) at Art Bernardi Stadium.
"It will be nice not having to see a yellow school bus before this game," Rankin said. "Riding a yellow school bus tends to get a little uncomfortable.
"Playing at home should help our emotion level a bit. The biggest difference in the second half at Canon-Mac was our kids playing with emotion.
"They were ready to play football in the first half. They were having fun playing in the second half. There's a big difference there," Rankin added.
The Big Macs' offense generated 218 net yards in the first half compared to 12 in the second as Butler nearly rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to win.
"The coaches have to run practices with a lot of intensity," Rankin said. "But kids have to take it upon themselves to prepare their minds for the game.
"We were ready to play that first half, we were just playing tentatively."
The Tornado are getting healthier these days. Lineman Ben McKnight is returning from injury this week and Chris Huselton, who aggravated a bad ankle last week, is expected to play Friday.
Jordan Lumley figures to be cleared after suffering a concussion, but Zach Rader will remain at quarterback. Rader had 15 carries for 136 yards last week and has completed 7-of-17 passes for 80 yards in two starts.
"Zach gives us that running dimension and he's played well enough to warrant staying in there," Rankin said. "Jordan will play defensive back and will likely see time at wide receiver."
Another increasing offensive force in Butler's lineup is running back Trevor Wideman. He had eight carries for 63 yards last week and caught a 40-yard pass late in the fourth quarter.
"Trevor can be explosive and gives us speed back there. Cole Baxter can do the same thing," Rankin said. "We need to possess the ball with this offense and we're showing signs of getting better at that."
Butler rushed for 252 yards last week and faces a Pine-Richland offense averaging three touchdowns a game.
"Their passing game is always sophisticated and their tailback (Justin Williams) is as good as I've seen," Rankin said. "If our offense can keep getting first downs, we'll keep their offense off the field, and that's key this week."
Rankin described Pine-Richland's defense as "well-schooled" and anticipates a competitive game.
"They lost to a good Mount Lebanon team and their games against Mars and North Hills could have gone either way," he said. "They've played better each week and I'm sure they're looking forward to playing us at this point in time."
Notes: The inaugural Butler High School Athletic Hall of Fame class will be presented on the field at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The class includes coaches Paul "Red" Uram and Art Bernardi; and athletes Rich, Ron and the late Bill Saul; David Pichler and the late Eric Namesnik; Terry Hanratty; Matt Clement; John Stuper; Leatha Dudek Baker and Annessa Schnur.
