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Butler football clicking on all cylinders in shutout win, first of year, against Brashear

BUTLER TWP — Lighting delayed the game. It certainly didn’t change it.

Butler football out-gained Brashear 168 yards to 1, scored a touchdown and kept the Bulls from gaining a first down before lightning strikes forced a 90-minute delay with 2:12 left in the first quarter Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.

After play resumed with a running clock and five-minute halftime break, the Golden Tornado cruised to a 42-0 victory.

“We wanted to come out and play a clean, crisp game tonight,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “Other than the first play of the game, I think we did that.”

The Tornado (1-1) fumbled away the opening kickoff, handing Brashear (0-2) a first down at the Butler 40. The Tornado defense forced a three-and-out, however, and Brashear did not attain a first down until the second half.

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The Bulls’ deepest penetration all night was the Tornado 37-yard line.

“Their defense played an outstanding game tonight,” Brashear coach Andrew Moore said. “That No. 73 (Leland Anderson) is a dominant lineman. Their linebackers were all over the field.

“They just made things difficult for us all night.”

The Bulls, shut out for the second successive week, were limited to three first downs and 31 yards of net offense. Marcus Vicari and Nash Cuffman had interceptions for Butler.

The Tornado offense got to work early and often.

Butler’s Preston Simko catches the first touchdown of the game against Brashear in a football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Butler scored on drives of 70, 94 and 54 yards on its first three possessions. It might have scored a fourth straight time, but the first-half clock ran out with the Tornado possessing the ball on the Brashear 6-yard line.

Alec Teff threw for 130 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. Preston Simko and Vicari were on the receiving end of the TD tosses. Vicari scored on a 5-yard fade pattern in the corner of the end zone.

“I’ve been waiting for that,” Vicari said. “I like that kind of pattern because I feel like I can out-jump the defender for the ball.

“Our defensive line forced them to put the ball up a lot, but we kept getting sacks. He (Brashear QB David Kessler) was throwing under pressure, so we (defensive backs) were looking for the ball.”

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Butler quarterback Alec Teff looks for an opening to pass the ball against Brashear in a football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Butler wound up with 378 yards of offense, including 248 on the ground.

“Our offensive line has been one of our biggest strengths so far,” Christy said. “They’re giving Alec a clean pocket and giving our backs room to run. I’m excited about what we’re seeing there.

“I just told the kids to enjoy this night. You look at the scoreboard and see 42-0. You don’t experience games like that very often.”

Brashear has a 30-player roster and only eight seniors.

“It’s tough,” Moore said. “We have freshmen and sophomores playing two ways most of the game. We didn’t handle the lightning break well at all. We were too fidgety in the locker room, didn’t relax. We fatigued much earlier tonight than we should have.”

Butler returns to action next Friday at Meadville.

“We want to keep rolling, keep grinding from here,” Vicari said. “Don’t look back.”

Butler’s Jacob Kollinger attempts to avoid a tackle from Brashear in a football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Brashear 0- 0 0 00 — 0

Butler 14 7 7 14 — 42

First Quarter

B — Preston Simko 23 pass from Alec Teff (Alex Morris kick), 5:59

B — Mark Klemz 1 run (Morris kick), :41

Second Quarter

B —Marcus Vicari 5 pass from Teff (Morris kick), 5:49

Third Quarter

B — Klemz 15 run (Morris kick), 7:01

Fourth Quarter

B — Nicholas Baggetta 45 run (Morris kick), 10:08

B — Leo Iarrapino 12 run (Morris kick), 1:15

Individual Statisatics

Passing: Brashear, David Kessler 4-10-44-2. Butler, Alec Teff 7-11-130-0.

Rushing: Brashear, David Kessler 7-0, Mike Holloway 2-(-1), TEAM 2-(-19), Xavier Primus 5-7. Butler, Tyson Pino 2-13, Mark Klemz 14-97, Jacob Kollinger 6-33, Nicholas Baggetta 3-48, TEAM 1-(-2), Leo Iarrapino 8-57.

Receiving: Brashear, Jahleel Anthony 2-13, Xavier Primus 1-1, Gerard Williams 1-30. Butler, Preston Simko 3-76, Jacob Kollinger 2-38, Quinlan Hanley 1-11, Marcus Vicari 1-5.

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