BUTLER TWP — Its numbers have certainly grown. Its opponents are certainly different.

Will Butler High School's football fortunes change as a result?

“I like the enthusiasm and work ethic these kids have been showing,” third-year Golden Tornado head coach Eric Christy said. “You can really sense a new attitude out here.

“It almost feels like a new beginning.”

Butler is coming off consecutive 0-10 seasons. Christy's lone win as a head coach was a 28-26 triumph over Canon-McMillan to close out the 2017 campaign. He was interim head coach for that game.

But the Golden Tornado do have reason for optimism entering this season:

Their roster during August workouts had 56 players, compared to approximately 28 when last season ended.

Todd Smith, a successful head coach at Clarion-Limestone known for his creativity on offense, is Butler's new offensive coordinator.

Pine-Richland, Central Catholic and North Allegheny are no longer on the schedule as Butler football is competing in District 10 the next two years.

Cooper Baxter is a returning starter at quarterback — and is only a junior.

“And (backup QB) Mac Schnur is doing very well behind him,” Christy said. “Cooper is a versatile athlete and I expect he'll be able to see more time in our defensive backfield.

“Our goal this year is to get 22 players consistent playing time — dividing between offense and defense — instead of 15, so we can stay fresh late in games.”

Baxter had a combined 1,397 yards rushing and passing last season. Other returning starters offensively will be junior center Jacob Pomykata, junior tackle Tyler Soldati, junior guard Ashton Gray, junior tight end Charlie Kreinbucher and senior running back Justin Kabay.

Kreinbucher caught nine passes for 170 yards last season while Kabay rushed for 176 yards and caught six passes. Last year's leading receiver, Zach Slomers, caught 25 passes and is now at California (Pa.) University.

“We don't have as much size up front as we did last year, but we've got a tough group,” Kreinbucher said.

Butler does not have a senior offensive lineman on its roster.

“But our numbers have picked up there,” Christy said. “Ideally, we'll have two solid guys at each position with a couple left over. How our linemen develop will be a key this year.”

Isaiah Kelly, a junior, leads a deep group at running back. Kabay, Julian Jones and Byron Manchester also figure in there.

Lance Slater, James Schoeffel, Hayden Iman and Colin Look are the frontrunners at receiver.

“I like the talent and depth we have a the skilled positions,” Smith said. “We should be able to do a lot of things, offer a number of different formations.”

Returning starters on Butler's 44 defense include linemen Ethan Babay, Jones and Payton McKee, middle linebackers Kabnay and Evan Orloski, and cornerback Look.

Look led the Tornado with 57 solo tackles and two interceptions last year. Kabay had 37 solo stops and led the team with three quarterback sacks.

“Orloski and Kabay are the heart of our defense in the middle,” Christy said.

“We need to provide leadership,” Kabay said, as he and Orloski are both seniors. “We're a good athletic team and it's time to make a move.”

Orloski agreed.

“There's nothing toxic going on in the room,” he said. “This group is together. All we want to do is win.”

Alex Titus, a sophomore, will kick from placement for the Tornado. Baxter will handle the punting duties.

“These kids are anxious to get going. They've been waiting for this,” Christy said. “All they want is the opportunity to compete and they're getting it.

“Our lineup may look completely different by the time our first game rolls around. But we know we have options with personnel we didn't have before.”