See our staff picks and predictions for Butler County football Week 5 games

Eagle Sports Staff

September 19, 2024 Last Updated: September 19, 2024 03:27 PM Sports

It was a good week for the Butler Eagle sports team as the 2024 high school football season reaches the midway point.

Everyone went at least 7-4. Is that winning percentage sustainable?

Time to find out. Butler couldn’t make it three straight wins last week, but it returns home still at .500 with a chance to surpass last season’s win total. And Karns City, fresh off its first loss, has a chance to rebound but must do so on the road. Other intriguing storylines abound Friday night.

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 4

Brendan Howe — 24-4 (7-4 last)

Derek Pyda — 24-4 (7-4)

Scoop — 24-4 (7-4)

Jake Adams — 24-4 (8-3)

Karns City heads into Week 5 looking to get back in the win column with a road game against Punxsutawney. Rob McGraw /Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

FRIDAY’S GAMES

Westinghouse at Butler

Adams — In my former life, I never saw 1A and 6A schools do battle on a football field. So this is different to me. Last year’s PIAA runner-up is too much for an improved Butler team. Westinghouse 38-14

Pyda — Westinghouse returned 14 combined starters on offense and defense from a team that defeated Butler 36-7 last year. Westinghouse 28-13

Howe — Confidence is key. The Bulldogs have beaten their last three opponents by an average of 61 points. Those three wins have also been shutouts. Westinghouse 27-14

Scoop — The Bulldogs handled Butler last year at Art Bernardi Stadium. I see this game producing a similar outcome. Westinghouse 31-17

Montour at Mars

Adams — The Spartans just dismantled Knoch, and this Mars team has lost three straight and Luke Goodworth exited with an injury a week ago. Montour 28-17

Pyda — The Planets are allowing nearly 37 points per game and now they face a team that just put up 650 yards of offense in one game. Montour 34-16

Howe — Mars has cooled off since returning from Orlando, losing three straight. The Planets gave Aliquippa a worthwhile fight, but their quarterback situation is murky. Montour 34-20

Scoop — The Planets are scrambling after three straight losses. The Spartans offer no reprieve. Montour 34-15

Moon at Seneca Valley

Adams — The Spartans just dismantled Knoch, and this Mars team has lost three straight and Luke Goodworth exited with an injury a week ago. Moon 28-17

Pyda — The Raiders rushed for more than 200 yards in a win over Norwin last week. The Tigers provide a much stiffer test. Moon 22-13

Howe — Both teams are coming off wins. The Tigers responded after going down early last week. They’ll get off to a better start this time. Moon 20-13

Scoop — The Raiders will have to wait for their first home win of the season. Moon 24-14

Karns City at Punxsutawney

Adams — An unstoppable force (Gremlins’ ground game) meets an immovable object (Chucks’ run defense). A tale as old as football time. I’ll give the slight edge in that clash to KC. Karns City 30-28

Pyda — KC’s Cole Johnston showed his ability in the passing game last week. That can only help open things up even more for a potent ground attack. Karns City 32-29

Howe — The Chucks wins have been over three teams that are a combined 2-8. Karns City gets back on track here. Karns City 28-13

Scoop — My pick for game of the week. Last Friday, the Gremlins lost a shootout. This time, they score enough. Karns City 28-25

Union/A-C Valley at Port Allegany

Adams — This Gators offense is scary productive. As good as the Falcons Knights, with triple-threat Owen Bish under center, can be, Port Allegany is on another level. Port Allegany 48-28

Pyda — I know ... The Gators recently routed defending District 9 champion Redbank Valley by dropping 66 points on the Bulldogs. Call me crazy. Union/A-C Valley 22-20

Howe — Port Allegany is scoring at a ridiculous clip. The Gators have scored 73, 66, and 47 in the past three weeks. The Falcon Knights won’t be able to keep pace. Port Allegany 35-13

Scoop — The Falcon Knights have a full head of steam and it’s going to take a very strong opponent to derail them. The unbeaten Gators qualify. Port Allegany 37-19

Burrell at Freeport

Adams — Freeport 34-13

Pyda — Freeport 42-8

Howe — Freeport 26-6

Scoop — Freeport 30-7

Knoch at New Castle

Adams — New Castle 40-17

Pyda — New Castle 30-24

Howe — Knoch 27-21

Scoop — New Castle 26-23

Moniteau at Saint Marys

Adams — Saint Marys 44-7