Butler County football Week 3 picks: Predictions for Butler vs. Meadville, North Hills vs. Mars and more
The 1-hour, 10-minute (give or take) bus trip Butler football has in store Friday is its first round game of the season. It is hardly the longest.
The Golden Tornado (1-1) have two jaunts to West Virginia coming up later this season, so Week 3’s clash with the Bulldogs is only an appetizer.
But it’s a good one for Butler, which impressed in its Week 2 win over Brashear and seemed to build off its late offensive performance in Week 1’s loss to Shaler.
Three other Butler County teams are looking for a similar jump in performance — and their first win. Will that come this week?
Here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop see Week 3’s games unfolding. The staff breaks down five of the games in more detail while predicting winners and scores for every Butler County game on the schedule.
Brendan Howe — 12-8 (5-5 last week)
Derek Pyda — 11-9 (6-4)
Scoop — 11-9 (6-4)
Jake Adams — 10-10 (5-5)
Butler at Meadville, 7
Adams — Much better showing by the Tornado (1-1) last week. They’ve won this matchup two of the last three times, and last year they didn’t have their starting QB. Calling a shootout. Butler 42-40
Pyda — I like the physicality Butler is playing with up front and the skill players are stepping up. Butler 28-17
Howe — The Golden Tornado hit the road for the first time this season. Meadville will be a much deeper and balanced team than last week’s opponent. Meadville 35-20
Scoop — The Bulldogs have a more balanced offense this season, but they don’t have enough to defeat the Tornado. Butler 27-17
Knoch at Fox Chapel, 7
Adams — Congrats are in order to the Foxes, who snapped a 22-game losing streak a week ago against Baldwin. Don’t expect the Knights (1-1) to let this become a winning streak. Knoch 35-13
Pyda — I believe the Knights are in for a big year offensively. They got things going last week and it will continue Friday. Knoch 33-9
Howe — Knoch figured things out offensively sooner than I predicted. I won’t doubt the Knights again this week. Knoch 28-12
Scoop — Fox Chapel just snapped a long losing streak. Another one begins Friday. Knoch 32-14
North Hills at Mars, 7
Adams — Well, we got a little ahead of ourselves with this Mars offense. No shame in admitting that. But the Planets (1-1) have an easier test ahead and should rebound. Mars 28-17
Pyda — North Hills has defeated two opponents struggling on offense (Hempfield, Seneca Valley). Mars will be too much for the Indians. Mars 30-13
Howe — I don’t see the Planets struggling on offense again like they did last Friday. The defense needs to stiffen, however. North Hills 27-21
Scoop — Mars began the season with an incredible offensive effort before coming back to Earth last week. The Planets will rebound against the Indians. Mars 25-20
North Catholic at Blackhawk, 7
Adams — It’s been a couple of tough weeks for the Trojans (0-2), but the Cougars aren’t haven’t won more than four games since 2019. Blackhawk has scored a bunch (85 points), so this could be interesting. North Catholic 28-24
Pyda — Blackhawk defeated Beaver Falls two weeks ago 56-0, but the Tigers are rebuilding with just five combined returning starters on offense and defense. North Catholic 24-10
Howe — North Catholic hits the road again. The Trojans will have to wait another week to get in the win column. Blackhawk 17-16
Scoop — The Trojans’ wait for their first win of 2024 comes to an end. North Catholic 19-16
Pine-Richland at Seneca Valley, 7
Adams — A lot of new faces for the Rams, yet here they are 2-0. The offense for the Raiders (0-2) has yet to find a rhythm, and I don’t expect it to for at least this week. Pine-Richland 38-10
Pyda — Pine-Richland beat Central Catholic last week, 22-17. This is not a good matchup for a Seneca team trying to find its identity on offense. Pine-Richland 31-15
Howe — Any time a team beats Central Catholic, heads turn. Pine-Richland will keep the momentum up here. Pine-Richland 35-13
Scoop — SV’s offense shows more life, but a win eludes the Raiders. Pine-Richland 23-17
Quaker Valley at Freeport, 7
Adams — Freeport 28-15
Pyda — Freeport 17-16
Howe — Freeport 21-13
Scoop — Freeport 26-6
St. Marys at Karns City, 7
Adams — Karns City 42-7
Pyda — Karns City 35-16
Howe — Karns City 40-12
Scoop — Karns City 37-12
Moniteau at Punxsutawney, 7
Adams — Punxsutawney 47-7
Pyda — Punxsutawney 35-8
Howe — Punxsutawney 28-6
Scoop — Punxsutawney 30-14
Slippery Rock at Sharon, 7
Adams — Sharon 33-14
Pyda — Sharon 32-16
Howe — Sharon 40-6
Scoop — Sharon 38-13
Summit Academy at Freedom, 7
Adams — Freedom 28-14
Pyda — Freedom 33-12
Howe — Freedom 30-12
Scoop — Freedom 42-21
Union/A-C Valley at Keystone, 7
Adams — Union/A-C Valley 21-17
Pyda — Union/A-C Valley 25-22
Howe — Union/A-C Valley 34-12
Scoop — Union/A-C Valley 23-21
