The second half of the 2024 high school football season kicks off with a bang — Karns City hosts Central Clarion in a huge District 9, Region 1 clash.

It’s the kind of battle football nerds dream of: two competing styles duking it out to see who is best on a single Friday night. If the Gremlins (3-1) can win, it’ll hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season and create an even more intriguing logjam atop the region.

But that’s not the only interesting game on the slate this week.

Here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop see Week 6’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.

Jake Adams — 35-14 (11-0 last week)

Scoop — 35-14 (11-0)

Brendan Howe — 34-15 (10-1)

Derek Pyda — 34-15 (10-1)

Butler at Connellsville

Adams — What happens when two independents duke it out? Does it rain cats and dogs? Do pigs fly? I’m not sure, but we’ll find out in this one. I think Butler gets back to .500 this week as long as it limits the turnovers. Butler 31-20

Pyda — Connellsville is a Class 5A team. Its only win this season came with a 19-7 score two weeks ago against a mediocre 2A team in Berlin-Brothersvalley. If Butler focuses on the task at hand, isn’t still playing that disappointing loss to Westinghouse from last week in its heads, they win this game. Establish the run with Mark Klemz, gain control of this one early. Butler 33-13

Howe — Butler’s had its ups and its downs halfway through its season. Time for another incline. Butler 21-8

Scoop — Two impressive wins were followed by two disappointing losses for the Golden Tornado. They right the ship against the Falcons. Butler 25-10

Imani Christian at North Catholic

Adams — The Trojans have strung some wins together of late, but Imani, with a defense that has pitched two shutouts, is ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class 3A by TribLive. Imani Christian 28-14

Pyda — North has won three straight games and has looked great the last two weeks. It would take a very strong opponent for me to pick against the Trojans. The Saints are a very strong opponent. Imani Christian 27-17

Howe — The Saints have handled the teams they’ve been expected to. Highlands was a real test for them last week and they passed. Imani Christian 15-14

Scoop — North’s 3-game winning streak has met its match. Imani Christian 21-14

Central Clarion at Karns City

Adams — So the Wildcats routed DuBois in Week 1, and the Gremlins lost a tight one at home to the Beavers. Transitive property and all ... but my gut says some home cooking helps KC hand Central Clarion its first loss. Karns City 28-26

Pyda — The Wildcats are averaging 230 passing yards per game, 255 yards rushing per game. They won’t put up those numbers vs. the Gremlins, but will do enough to win. Central Clarion 28-26

Howe — Man, this is a tough one to choose. Central Clarion’s ability to throw will provide the advantage. Central Clarion 35-33

Scoop — Something tells me these two teams will meet again this season. Round 1 goes to the Wildcats. Central Clarion 32-21

Indiana at Knoch

Adams — Heartbreaking loss for a banged-up Knights. But Indiana has lost three straight and has scored just 28 points all season. Recipe for a nice rebound victory. Knoch 35-7

Pyda — Just like Butler, the Knights need to put last week behind them. That loss to New Castle could stay with Knoch, but I think they move on impressively. Knoch 44-10

Howe — No matter who’s playing quarterback for Knoch — Colt Sprankle or Codi Mullen — that Knights offense is in good hands. Tim Burchett won’t let his defense struggle with tackling again, either. Knoch 29-13

Scoop — The Knights begin conference play in style. Knoch 48-14

Seneca Valley at Mt. Lebanon

Adams — The Blue Devils have allowed 28 or more points in four games this season. That’s a number the Raiders haven’t eclipsed yet through four games. Until now. Seneca Valley 28-14

Pyda — The Raiders are 1-3, but 1-0 when it comes to games that count toward making the playoffs. Make that 2-0. Seneca Valley 26-7

Howe — This feels like it’ll be a playoff game much earlier than the actual postseason arrives. Every game is important in Class 6A and the Raiders know that. Seneca Valley 21-14

Scoop — Mt. Lebanon has yet to win a game this season. That doesn’t change this week. Seneca Valley 30-12

Slippery Rock at Harbor Creek

Adams — Harbor Creek 28-14

Pyda — Harbor Creek 22-14

Howe — Harbor Creek 24-14

Scoop — Harbor Creek 23-13

Valley at Freeport

Adams — Freeport 38-14

Pyda — Freeport 48-7

Howe — Freeport 35-14

Scoop — Freeport 39-8

Mars at West Mifflin

Adams — West Mifflin 24-21

Pyda — Mars 31-24

Howe — West Mifflin 34-16

Scoop — West Mifflin 20-16

DuBois Area at Moniteau

Adams — DuBois 55-7

Pyda — DuBois 41-6

Howe — DuBois 42-0

Scoop — DuBois 35-12

Bucktail at Union/A-C Valley

Adams — Union/A-C Valley 41-20

Pyda — Union/A-C Valley 36-0

Howe — Union/A-C Valley 35-6

Scoop — Union/A-C Valley 43-14

Summit Academy at Rochester

Adams — Summit Academy 27-14

Pyda — Summit Academy 35-14

Howe — Summit Academy 34-14

Scoop — Summit Academy 27-14