Butler outlasts Shaler, 35-28, in wild debut at Art Bernardi Stadium
BUTLER TWP — Good luck topping this one.
Ryan McLister caught an 11-yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score with nine minutes remaining and Butler withstood a pair of Shaler threats late in winning its football season opener, 35-28, Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
“Bet this was a fun one to watch,” Golden Tornado coach Eric Christy said.
He’d win.
The teams combined for 41 first downs and 892 yards of total offense. But the game was ultimately decided by the Tornado defense in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Richard Greygor and Quincy Jennings sacked Shaler quarterback Keegan Smetanka to kill one Titan scoring threat with 5:58 left. Greygor’s sack came on second down, Jennings’ on fourth down to give Butler possession at the Shaler 30.
The Tornado turned the ball over on downs at the Shaler 31 with 3:40 to play. The Titans embarked on a 12-play drive to tie the game. The 12th snap came with one second on the clock and the ball at Butler’s 25. Landon Lacey intercepted Smetanka’s pass in the end zone to finally seal the victory.
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