This is one in a series of articles previewing high school football games this weekendBUTLER TWP — The recent history isn't good.Then again, history doesn't have to be a factor when Butler (2-3, 1-3) takes on Central Catholic (4-2, 3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a Northern Seven football game at Carnegie Mellon University.“They're still a very good team,” Butler coach Rob Densmore said. “But they're younger than they've been and they graduated a lot of talent.“We match up with them a little better than we have in the past.”The Vikings have outscored the Golden Tornado 239-21 in winning the last five games between the teams, including 49-7 last year.Central Catholic has lost twice by lopsided scores this season — 40-7 to Cathedral Prep to open the campaign and 47-17 to Pine-Richland last week.“They are as advertised,” 14th-year Central coach Terry Totten said of Pine-Richland. “That is an outstanding football team and Prep is very good, too.“You hope to learn from those games. You hope they benefit you down the road. Time will tell. We're a young team and we're getting better, though we took a step backward last week.”Totten took a 153-21 record at Central into this season. His resume' includes five WPIAL championships and three state crowns. But his team graduated nine Division 1 football players after last season, including the entire offensive line.“I compare them to North Allegheny this year,” Densmore said. “I thought we competed well against NA and I think we can compete well Friday.”The Vikings defeated North Allegheny 14-7 earlier this season while Butler dropped a 29-7 decision to the Tigers.Central's offense is fueled by a pair of Butler County athletes. Senior quarterback Troy Fisher is from Cranberry Township and has committed to Lafayette College. The 6-foot-5 Fisher has thrown for 497 yards and run for 186.Senior receiver Cam Laconi, from Butler, has 13 catches for 107 yards and is the Vikings' leading pass catcher.“We spread the ball pretty good in the passing game,” Totten said. “Troy is a heady quarterback, very smart. He can read things and he's an excellent runner.“Cam is one of his prime targets, no doubt about that.”Densmore said Central “has different receivers who are good at running certain routes.“Our defense will have to be on its toes that way,” the Butler coach said.Tornado senior Luke Michalek is coming off his second straight 100-yard rushing game since stepping in at quarterback two weeks ago. He scored three touchdowns in last week's 47-0 win over Shaler and has 497 yards rushing on the year.John Michalek, his brother, has 156 yards and two TDs on the ground. He ran for 95 yards against Shaler.“Butler does a good job of getting the ball into the hands of their best athlete,” Totten said. “We won't be taking them for granted, believe me.“You only play so many games a year in high school football. These kids get up and get excited for each and every one.”Butler's passing game has yet to develop this season. Michalek has completed seven of 12 passes, but for only 31 yards. Brandon Fleeger, who now sees time at running back, has thrown for 109 yards.Brad Kopp is the only active Butler receiver with as many as three catches. The Tornado have not thrown a touchdown pass this season.“We know we're going to have to throw the ball eventually and this may be the week,” Densmore said. “Central usually plays a 43 or a 52 defensively. Teams don't believe we can throw the ball and I expect they will stack the box against us.“We may have to do some things to loosen them up a little.”