Butler County football Week 4: See our picks for Butler, Knoch, Karns City and the rest

Eagle Sports Staff

September 12, 2024 Last Updated: September 12, 2024 11:42 AM Sports

Now begins the meat of league play for many Butler County football teams.

It’s been a tumultuous few weeks to start the 2024 season, with lightning playing the biggest role in recent weeks. (When was the last time three games were canceled in one weekend by weather?) Some teams have gotten off to rockier starts than they expected.

So, what can you expect in Week 4? Butler has a chance to win three straight games Friday, one season after winning just two games total. Freeport has an intriguing matchup in front of them. And a few teams are still searching for Win No. 1.

Here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop see Week 4’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.

Standings after Week 3

Brendan Howe — 17-10 (5-2 last)

Derek Pyda — 17-10 (6-1)

Scoop — 17-10 (6-1)

Jake Adams — 16-11 (6-1)

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Butler at Hollidaysburg

Adams — It won’t be golden for one of these teams. The Golden Tigers have two receivers with 11 catches, 200-plus yards and four touchdowns already. Can the Golden Tornado slow them down? We’re about to find out. Hollidaysburg 30-24

Pyda — This will be the stiffest test to date for both teams. I like Butler to make the long road trip worthwhile. Butler 24-20

Howe — Last Friday’s trip to Meadville proved something to the Golden Tornado — the running game and defense travel. Butler 34-28

Scoop — This Mark Klemz kid is pretty good, adding punch to Butler’s offense. Butler 33-23

Knoch at Montour

Adams — Cole Midili leads a defense that’s stifled teams, and Montour is ranked No. 2 in WPIAL Class 4A by TribLive. Montour 28-7

Pyda — Knoch’s defense will come up with several key stops in a low-scoring affair. Knoch 17-13

Howe — Much like Knoch, Montour is a veteran-laden team. The Knights’ week off will hurt, however. Montour 21-8

Scoop — Knoch’s offense is potent, but will be facing a formidable test in the Spartans. Montour 22-13

Mars at Aliquippa

Adams — A hot start has suddenly gone quite cold, and it won’t get any better for the Planets against the top-ranked team in WPIAL 4A. Aliquippa 35-14

Pyda — Tikey Hayes has rushed for more than 6,000 yards in his varsity career. He’ll have a big game against the Planets. Aliquippa 38-22

Howe — The last time Mars faced a standout running back, he rumbled. Hayes will be overpowering. Aliquippa 40-14

Scoop — The Planets have lost two straight. Aliquippa is not the place you want to go when searching for answers. Aliquippa 37-17

Freeport at Deer Lakes

Freeport is 2-1 to start the season and wants revenge for last year’s loss against Deer Lakes. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Adams — Freeport has dominated this matchup for years (except last season), but with the Lancers off to a strong start, can the Yellowjackets get some revenge? I think yes, but it’ll be tight. Freeport 27-26

Pyda — Deer Lakes quarterback Jake Fleischer is very mobile and that will be the difference. Deer Lakes 32-24

Howe — Freeport’s balanced attack will come up big. Freeport 26-20

Scoop — Drew Ross and Amos Glenn spark the ‘Jackets to a huge win on the road. Freeport 28-24

DuBois Area at Karns City

Adams — The Gremlins’ run game and offensive line has been simply dominant through two weeks, but now comes a stronger test as league play begins. Still think KC handles this one. Karns City 35-21

Pyda — Karns City has looked too dominant for me to pick against the Gremlins. Karns City 35-30

Howe — That Karns City ground game got some rest. Watch out, Beavers. Karns City 35-14

Scoop — The Gremlins avenge last year’s loss to the Beavers. Karns City 31-20

Seneca Valley at Norwin

Adams — Norwin 28-14

Pyda — Norwin 25-17

Howe — Norwin 28-13

Scoop — Norwin 20-18

Quaker Valley at North Catholic

Adams — North Catholic 30-14

Pyda — North Catholic 30-7

Howe — North Catholic 28-14