VANDERGRIFT — Butler was battling tough odds from the start.

The Golden Tornado ventured to Kiski Area for their football season opener Friday night with only 30 players on a steamy night.

“That heat certainly didn't help,” Butler coach Eric Christy said.

With the junior varsity players forced to stay home while going through COVID-19 protocol, the Tornado battled Kiski to a scoreless draw until late in the first half, eventually succumbing by a 21-7 count.

“I was proud of our effort, especially on defense,” Christy said. “(Defensive coordinator) Bill Elliott and his staff came up with a great gameplan against those guys.

“But there are no excuses. We have to play better.”

Butler didn't penetrate the red zone until late in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers got there four times, twice on Butler mistakes.

“That was probably the difference,” Kiski coach Sam Albert allowed. “But this is the first game of the season. You're gonna make a thousand mistakes.

“We'll take a win anytime.”

A shanked punt gave the Cavaliers a first down at the Tornado 39 early in the second quarter. On third down from the 15, Butler's Jacob Pomykata recovered a Kiski fumble to kill the threat.

The Tornado lost a fumble at their own 20 with eight minutes left in the half. Again, the defense stiffened and Cody Dykes' 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

The Cavaliers dented the scoreboard with 23 seconds left in the half when quarterback Logan Johnson rambled for a 5-yard score.

Kiski's Chad Hepler returned an interception 25 yards to the Butler 11 early in the third quarter. Brock Wilkins capped a brief 11-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run and a 14-0 lead.

The Cavaliers put the game away on Johnson's 49-yard scoring pass to Mathew Hilty with 6:49 left.

“Butler has a good football team,” Albert said. “Those coaches are doing a tremendous job. Their numbers are up and they've got athletes.”

Butler got inside Kiski's 25 for the first time with less than four minutes to play. The Tornado turned the ball over on downs at the 11.

After recovering a fumble at the Kiski 16, Butler scored on Cooper Baxter's 11-yard run with 43 seconds left. Baxter had 22 carries for 104 yards on the night.

Lance Slater caught four passes for 65 yards. Mac Schnur threw for 85 yards.

“I like having two quarterbacks on the field at the same time,” Christy said. “We're going to be able to do some things with that.”

Butler forced three turnovers in the contest, including an Isaiah Kelly interception.

Butler 0 0 0 7 — 7

Kiski Area 0 7 7 7 — 21

Second Quarter

KA — Logan Johnson 5 run (Cody Dykes kick), :23.5

Third Quarter

KA — Brock Wilkins 1 run (Dykes kick), 7:50

Fourth Quarter

KA — Mathew Hilty 49 pass from Johnson (Dykes kick), 6:19

B — Cooper Baxter 11 run (Max Gianneski kick), :43

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Butler, Cooper Baxter 22-104, Mac Schnur 2-10, Isaiah Kelly 2-(-1), Lance Slater 2-(-4), TEAM 2-(-7), Landon Lacey 2-0. Kiski Area, Logan Johnson 10--27, Brock Wilkins 12-46, Chad Hepler 7-32, TEAM 1-(-3), Landon Kucic 1-2.

Passing: Butler, Coopeer Baxter 2-7-18-1, Mac Schnur 6-11-85-0. Kiski Area, Lebryn Smith 2-3-3-0, Logan Johnson 4-11-80-1.

Receiving: Butler, Lance Slater 4-65, Isaiah Kelly 1-6, Ethan Trettel 2-26, Cooper Baxter 1-6. Kiski Area, Mathew Hilty 4-71, Dylan Hutcherson 2-12.