Shaler entered this football season with eight returning starters on both sides of the football.

Injuries have changed that, but the experience factor didn't matter much to coach Jacque DeMatteo anyway.

"This is a new year and we need to improve," DeMatteo said. "We have a society attitude on this team right now and I don't like it. We need to develop an old-school football attitude.

"I'm not pleased with our attitude, I'm not pleased with our approach, with our toughness or with our team chemistry. Those are the areas I'm concerned about."

The Titans (1-2, 0-1) entertain Butler (2-1, 0-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Shaler will be without leading receiver Tom Neiman, who broke his collarbone during the first week of practice, and starting running back Jim Kohan, who was injured in the team's season-opening 28-12 loss at Woodland Hills.

DeMatteo insisted the injuries and his team's attitude are not connected.

"They are two separate issues," he said. "All I know is this is a conference game and all conference games are critical games."

Shaler's lone home game thus far was a 46-13 win over Fox Chapel in Week 2. Senior quarterback Matt Davis completed 10 of 14 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

The Titans are coming off a 35-8 loss at North Hills last week. Shaler is looking to improve an offense that averaged only 9.3 points per game and scored but five rushing touchdowns a year ago.

Shaler defeated Butler, 19-11, last year at Art Bernardi Stadium.

Senior Keith Hathaway and junior Jon Fitzpatrick are other key running backs for the Titans, though DeMatteo said that "we're still trying to sort out our running backs right now."

Davis threw for 810 yards a year ago, but managed only six touchdown passes to go with 13 interceptions. He attended numerous quarterback camps in the off-season.

"He's worked hard to improve and he's a different player," DeMatteo said. "He's doing a nice job of leading this team.

"We have a lot of kids who got game experience last year, but everybody has to work harder at being more disciplined on and off the field."

Davis and fellow linebacker Mack Stotts anchor the Titans defensively.

DeMatteo described Butler as a much-improved team.

"They're scary in the sense that they have a bunch of kids who have grown up together at different levels of football," he said. "They're maturing into quality varsity players.

"Their quarterback is similar to ours in terms of development. He (Nick Monteleone) leads their offense well. This game will likely go down to the wire."

DeMatteo said it doesn't matter who the opponent is Friday night.

"We need to get a win and we need to play hard," he said. "I have high expectations for this team and I want our kids to have those same expectations."

Shaler has been to the WPIAL playoffs the past two years, but has only two football playoff wins in its history.