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 Friday night.

BUTLER TWP — It's all about culture.

Pine-Richland has it. Butler is trying to build it.

The two football teams will clash at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Art Bernardi Stadium, trending in opposite directions.

The Rams (3-0, 1-0) returned only five starters on offense and four on defense this season. They own wins of 21-0 over Penn Hills, 42-14 over Hempfield and 46-7 over Moon.

“Our skilled players are all back on offense, but we lost everyone along the offensive line,” P-R coach Eric Kasperowicz said. “Miguel Jackson and Ethan O'Neil have really stepped up there.

Jackson is a 245-pound freshman lineman while O'Neil is a 250-pound senior center.

“It's definitely the culture at this school and in this program,” Kasperowicz said of why the Rams seemingly win year after year. “It's just the mind-set these kids have.

“They live and breathe this program.”

Pine-Richland has defeated Butler in 10 of the previous 11 games played between the teams. The Golden Tornado's lone win was a 19-7 decision in 2012 that triggered Butler's run to a playoff berth.

The Rams have defeated Butler 63-0 and 64-0 the past two years.

“Once they established a winning culture there, it's been working for them,” Butler coach Eric Christy said of Pine-Richland. “Their kids do what they have to do to put themselves in position to win.

“We feel like we've got a talented sophomore class and a lot of good freshmen. Right now, our team is about this season and being successful, but our younger kids need to do what they need to do in coming off-seasons to get bigger, stronger, faster, so we can compete in this league.”

The Tornado (0-3, 0-1) are coming off a 63-7 loss at Mt. Lebanon. Butler played that game without a couple of key players in Justin Kabay and Antonio Harris. Butler also lost lineman Tyler Soldati during the game, forcing Maverick Douthett into action. Both are sophomores.

“Mt. Lebanon established the line of scrimmage against us and hurt us with their running game,” Christy said.

Pine-Richland has been hurting teams with its passing game thus far. Cole Spencer, a junior in his second year as a starter, has completed 53 of 81 passes for 752 yards, 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He's also run for 137 yards and a score.

Eli Jochem has 13 catches for 257 yards and four touchdowns, Luke Miller 12 catches for 213 yards and three TDs.

“We've got one of the best running backs in the WPIAL in Luke Meckler and defenses have been focusing on him,” Kasperowicz said. “The passing game has been there and Cole has developed into a verry effective high school quarterback.

“Last year, we just asked him to manage the game, not make mistakes. He's worked hard at his game and has become a play--making passer.”

Meckler has 19 carries for 106 yards and three TDs for the Rams. He also has 10 catches for 110.

Butler sophomore quarterback Cooper Baxter has thrown for 249 yards and 4 TDs. The Tornado threw a combined three touchdown passes the previous two seasons.

Zach Slomers has seven catches for 97 yards and has been Baxter's favorite target. Baxter has also rushed for 285 yards and two scores.

Sophomore running back Isaiah Kelly filled in for Kabay in the backfield last week and had 75 yards on 24 carries.

“With our roster being what it us, we need every single player to contribute,” Christy said. “I'm very pleased with the way Cooper's handling himself. He's becoming like another coach on the field.

“We want to play this game Friday like we belong there, with belief, confidence and effort.”