BUTLER TWP — Butler made a number of plays in its season opener last week, just not enough to win.

The Golden Tornado hope to take that next step Friday night when they host Baldwin at 7:30 p.m. at Art Bernardi Stadium.

“We did a lot of good things (in a 46-21 loss to North Hills), but we didn't get the win — and we were hoping to win,” Christy said

“Our numbers came into play like I thought they might. We came out of the game healthy, though, and we needed to do that.”

The Tornado are practicing with 36 players this week. They are not playing a junior varsity game for the second successive week.

Sophomore quarterback Cooper Baxter ran for 70 yards and threw for 59 — accounting for a pair of touchdowns — in his varsity debut. Charlie Kreinbucher, another sophomore, caught a 30-yard scoring pass in his first varsity game.

Zach Slomers had four receptions for 29 yards and scored on a 40-yard run.

“Zach looked very good with the ball,” Christy said. “We need to get the ball in his hands a little bit more.

“Cooper will continue to be our main ball carrier, though we want to work other guys into the mix as well.

“Cooper showed a lot of poise for being in the position he was in. He made some good reads and didn't throw any interceptions. We have to eliminate the fumbled snaps, but he'll keep getting better with experience.”

Defensively, Christy lauded the play of inside linebackers Justin Kabay and Evan Orloski. Both were slowed by cramps during the game. Safety Colin Look and cornerback Slomers stood out as well.

“Our pass defense will be tested this week,” Christy admitted.

Baldwin dropped its opener to Avalon (Md.), 26-7, last week. The Highlanders were plagued by penalties, being flagged 16 times for 177 yards.

“We probably had 10 personal foul penalties,” third-year coach Loran Cooley said. “That's on me as the coach. We have to be more disciplined on the field.”

The Highlanders are certainly talented there.

Quarterback Mason Stahl, a 6-foot-1 senior, threw for 1,481 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 376 yards and three scores. Slippery Rock is among the colleges recruiting him.

Running back Angelo Priore, despite being slowed by a quad injury, ran for 625 yards and four TDs last year. Wide receiver Jarren Kelly had 34 catches for 683 yards and nine TDs.

“He is one of the top receivers in the WPIAL this year,” Cooley said.

Naseer Penn had 19 receptions a year ago. C.J. Robbins is a standout cornerback, Connor Lavelle a strong linebacker. All of the Baldwin players mentioned above are being recruited by Division II and/or FCS schools.

And that's not counting 6-5, 280-pound junior tackle-defensive end Dorian Ford, who is being recruited by Pitt, Penn State and Nebraska, among others. He is considered the 18th best defensive end prospect at his position nationally by Rivals.com.

Baldwin went 4-6 last year — losing its final four games — but still had its highest win total since 2003.

“We definitely have high expectations this season,” Cooley said. “We've got a lot of starters back (seven on offense, eight on defense) and a lot of talent on the field.

“We just need to put it all together and quit making mistakes.”

Christy said Baldwin has “breakaway speed and that's a concern.

“We have to be fundamentally sound on defense, stay with our assignments and take the right angles to the ball. We want to play physically aggressive football.”

Cooley described Baxter as “a very good athlete we're going to have to account for.”

He is concerned about Butler's size up front.

“They're pretty big and they do play physical,” the Highlander coach said. “We're gonna have to match that.”