PITTSBURGH — The beat goes on for Central Catholic.

Despite returning only three offensive starters from last year's WPIAL Class AAAA championship team and having their top two running backs unavailable for action, the Vikings (7-1, 5-1) are averaging 38 points per game this season.

Central comes to Art Bernardi Stadium for a regular season finale against Butler (2-6, 1-5) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Riley Redman, a 1,000-yard rusher a year ago, was ruled ineligible this year because he turned 19 before July 1. Ron George, a junior running back, has been out with an injury.

“We've been running back by committee,” coach Terry Totten said of the 2014 campaign. “We've been sharing the carries, but we've been productive.”

Grant Foster, son of former Steeler running back Barry Foster, paces the Vikings with 73 carries for 454 yards and 12 touchdowns. Brian Totten has 25 carries for 330 yards and two scores, Ronnie Jones 37 carries for 276 yards and five TDs, Vinny Emanuele 28 carries for 239 yards and two scores.

Central hasn't had to throw the ball much, but Mike Navarro has completed 25 of 25 passes for 341 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions when it has gone airborne.

“We're capable of doing both,” Totten said of running and throwing the football. “The key is, we want to play physical. That's what Butler does.

“They use fundamental technique and play solid, basic football.”

Defensively, the Vikings have posted 11 shutouts in the past two seasons. Seven starters are back from last year on that side of the ball.

Totten cited the play of end Rich Ryan, inside linebacker David Adams, outside linebacker Bryan Glover and cornerback Joe Tindal. Adams and Glover are among the team's tackle leaders with 36 and 33 solo stops, respectively.

Central had allowed only 24 points all season before suffering a 48-28 defeat at the hands of Pine-Richland last week. The loss was the Vikings' first since a 35-10 defeat to St. Joe's Prep in last year's PIAA championship game.

“We picked the wrong time to play our worst game,” Totten said of last week. “Pine-Richland is very good and their quarterback is outstanding for this level. But we made a lot of mistakes in that game.”

The Vikings have returned four punts for touchdowns this season. They returned three successive punts for scores in last year's 55-0 win over the Golden Tornado.

“Our special teams have been excellent,” Totten said. “They've had a lot to do with our success.”

The coach said there's no chance his team will take Butler lightly.

“This is high school football. Anything can happen at any time,” he said. “You always have to be ready.”