BUTLER TWP — Forget about the past.

New Butler varsity football coach Rob Densmore prefers to live in the now.

Densmore takes over the Golden Tornado program as its fourth head coach in eight years. As far as he's concerned, there are no returning starters and the past doesn't matter.

“Everybody will have to earn their positions every year,” Densmore said.

That investment began early.

“We did a lot more hitting right off the bat,” senior safety Reid Werth, one of four team captains, said of training camp. “We're already a much more aggressive team.”

Fellow captain and two-way lineman Mike Snow said Densmore has brought a new work ethic to the team.

“That's what he's all about,” Snow said. “He's passionate, energetic. We all want to win and hard work can get us there.”

Butler is coming off a 1-8 season. Its last winning campaign was in 1997 and the program has reached the WPIAL playoffs only twice (1998 and 2012) since then.

“The early goals we set here are attainable for everyone, even if you're not an athletic kid,” Densmore said. “Be coachable. Give 100 percent.

“We want to be a consistent playoff contender in our conference. Get to the WPIAL playoffs. Win the WPIAL championship. Attain one goal and it leads to the next.”

Offensively, Densmore wants to run the football and do it often. Control the clock, wear down opposing defenses. The Tornado will run a pro-set offense.

Robert Burdine, Tim Vernick and Damian Pickett are the top candidates at tailback. Jeremy Hanford and Lucas Dubyak are the frontrunners at fullback.

Burdine led Butler with 349 yards from scrimmage — 263 rushing, 86 receiving — and scored five touchdowns last year in an injury-shortened season. He is one of the team's captains this year.

“I'm excited about our potential to run the ball,” Burdine said. “Our line is looking very good.”

Eric Hindman at center and Rob Kunst at tight end appear to be entrenched as starters. Guards are Snow, Zack Seger and Austin McMahon, tackles are Josh McCloskey and the fourth captain, Derek Gengler.

McCloskey is the biggest in that group at 240 pounds.

“We're under-sized up front, but we'll make up for that with technique and footwork,” Densmore said. “Our linemen are very quick and they will be active.”

Quarterback candidates Jamison Smith (senior) and Shad Stepp (junior) combined to complete six of 29 passes for 50 yards in limited action last season.

There is plenty of competition at the receiver spots in what will be a controlled passing game.

“We want to throw fewer than 15 times a game,” Densmore said.

If drives do stall, the Tornado have veteran placekicker Devin Fitz, who missed only one PAT last year while drilling four of six field goal attempts, including a 45-yarder.

“He's one of the best kickers in the WPIAL. People don't realize what kind of weapon that is,” Densmore said.

Defensively, Butler will play a 44. Tackles will come from Snow, McCloskey, McMahon and Seger. Ends are Gengler, J.J. Johnson and Hindman.

Veteran inside linebackers Dubyak and Hanford will be joined by Derrian Pickett, with Vernick, David Dimun and Damian Pickett manning the outside.

Hanford had 51 tackles, 35 solo stops and two fumble recoveries a year ago. Dubyak had 34 solo tackles, Gengler 25 solo stops and two quarterback sacks.

“Dubyak and Hanford bring experience and they're aggressive players,” Densmore said. “Werth is a sure tackler who we moved from corner to safety this year.”

Werth had 25 solo stops as a cornerback last year. Leading candidates at corner this year are Burdine, Jared Hinkle, Dallas Hays and Tyson Andrada.

“I like where we're at right now,” Densmore said. “We've challenged the kids with a physical camp and they've responded. We can't wait to get going.”