Tornado touches down!


 


BUTLER TWP — The rains came. But it was Butler that washed away the streaks. 
And how! 
The Golden Tornado came up with their biggest offensive explosion in years Friday night. Butler rolled up 324 yards of offense in the first half alone in throttling Shaler, 60-26, at Art Bernardi Stadium. 

“We know what lies ahead,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said, referencing a difficult 2012 schedule. “But Shaler wanted a fist fight? They got one tonight.” 
Butler's lead was 60-6 with 5:10 left in the third quarter. Conti had already taken out his first-teamers when Dana Clay returned an interception 16 yards for a score to get the Tornado to the 60-mark. 
Shaler (0-2) left its starters in the entire game and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. 
“Chris Seigle is a young coach stepping into a tough situation down there, trying to help kids,” Conti said. “He's trying to build something and I laud him for that.” 
Butler's win snapped a 28-game section losing streak dating back to 2006. It also ended a nine-game loss streak against the Titans. 
The Tornado last scored as many as 40 points in a game in 2005, posting a 47-29 win over Seneca Valley. Butler scored eight offensive touchdowns in three quarters Friday night. It scored 11 offensive TDs all of last season. 
Butler scored 57 points during the 2010 season. 
“We're turning this program around,” said running back Kolby Kriess. “One big play kept setting up the next one.” 
“It was like a domino effect out there,” running back Jake Olenick agreed. 
The first domino that fell occurred on defense. 
Shaler faced a third-and-7 from its 21-yard line on its first possession. A running back caught a flare pass and turned upfield, only to be leveled by sophomore linebacker Jeremy Hanford. The ball popped loose and Kriess returned it to the 10-yard line. 
Following a procedure play, Bob Vernick scored on a 15-yard reverse and Butler (1-1) was on its way. 
“That was a huge hit,” Kriess said. “It set the tone.” 
“That play got the ball rolling,” Conti said. 
Jordan Cratty attempted only three passes all night, completing two — for the Tornado's next two scores. Olenick caught a screen over the middle and turned it into a 48-yard touchdown play. Canan Roskovski caught a 48-yard bomb for his touchdown. 
Butler stayed on the ground for the rest of the night. 
“Our offensive line was incredible tonight,” Olenick said. “I mean, those guys did it. We all need to thank them.” 
Olenick wound up with nine carries for 141 yards and three total touchdowns. Kriess had nine carries for 96 yards and two scores. 
Shaler's lone score against Butler's first-team defense occurred with three seconds left in the first half. Robby Reinheimer caught a 47-yard touchdown strike from Brad Good on a third-and-11 play. 
“Our program right now is where Butler was at this time a year ago,” Seigle said. “Butler's coaches are in their second year and they're beginning to get a pay-off on their investment. 
“We'll look at the film, work on fixing things and move forward.” 
Good wound up with 159 yards and three touchdowns passing. 
Hanford recovered a fumble for Butler and Clay had the Tornado's lone interception. Lucas Dubyak, Kriess, Jake Hays, Vernick and Jake Lenhart were among defenders getting tackles for loss for the Tornado. 
“We're just trying to get a little better every day and keep improving,” Conti said.