Roughing It
This is one in a series of articles previewing Butler County high school football matchups this weekend.ERIE — No fans, no locker room.That is the atmosphere awaiting Butler when the Golden Tornado travel to Erie to take on Erie High School at 7 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.Butler would gladly put up with all of that for a win.The Tornado (0-2) have surrendered a combined 100 points to Cathedral Prep and McDowell in the first two weeks. Erie (0--2)has also dropped games to Cathedral Prep (48-26) and McDowell (36-12).The fourth-year school is a consolidation of Central Tech, Strong Vincent and East.“People think we're this really big school, but we're not that big,” Royals coach Rob Matz said. “Cleveland Academy figures into our enrollment ... We have 40 or so players on our roster.”None of the Erie schools are permitting fans to attend football games nor use the locker rooms. Veterans Stadium can hold 10,000 people, but the stands will be empty Saturday night.“We're trying to find a park, rest stop, somewhere along the way where our kids can change into uniform,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “That's a long way to travel with kids wearing full gear.”Matz said his players dress in a closed-off runway inside Veterans Stadium before home games.The Tornado missed tackles in last Friday's 45-7 loss to McDowell. Christy said they can't afford to do so this week.“Erie's got a lot of speed,” he said. “Their skilled kids break containment, you're not gonna catch them.”Royals quarterback Jahil Grandberry missed Erie's first game this year for disciplinary reasons. He threw for 126 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions last week. Running back J.T. Woodward had 22 carries for 161 yards and a score.“J.T. has been with us for all four years,” Matz said. “He's a solid back. And we're definitely a better team offensively with Jahil in the lineup.”Both teams have big tight ends. While Butler has 6-foot-6 junior Charlie Kreinbucher, Erie has 6-foot-8, 225-pound Marquel Darnell, who is being recruited by Toledo, Akron, Bowling Green and Buffalo.The Royals' line averages 6-foot-0, 245 pounds.“By no means are we large up front,” Matz said.Butler is looking to snap a 22-game losing streak, dating back to the beginning of the 2018 season. Cooper Baxter has thrown for 208 yards in two games and has rushed for 145. Byron Manchester made some strides from the running back position last week, getting involved in the running and passing games.“Byron didn't play last year, so he's been catching up,” Christy said. “He's got a lot of speed and explosiveness that can play well for us.“(McDowell) did a good job prepping for Charlie (Kreinbucher). They picked him up in coverage and limited our opportunities to get the ball to him.”Kreinbucher had one catch for 13 yards after snaring six for 88 yards in the season opener.Butler's Lineman of the Week is sophomore Brock Popovich.“That's two sophomores in the first two games for that award,” Christy said. “Our young line is working hard.”Since going 9-2 in its first season, Erie is a combined 4-17 in football since.“Butler's quarterback looks very talented and their linebackers are strong and active,” Matz said. “I've seen them do some good things in their first two games.This is an interesting matchup.”
The Eagle sports staff's third season of Upon Further Review, a weekly show discussing Butler County area high school football, can be viewed on the Butler Eagle Sports Facebook page.
