Butler County football predictions: See our staff picks for Week 8’s games

Eagle Sports Staff

October 10, 2024 Last Updated: October 09, 2024 10:53 PM Sports

Last week’s results caught us off guard. Just check the Butler Eagle sports staff’s records for proof.

It’s been that kind of season. One week a team may look great, and the next it suffers and tough loss. One injured team finds a new identity and rolls to a commanding victory. Others started the year slow and have started to warm up.

What’s in store in the closing stretch of the season?

Here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop see Week 8’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.

Freeport visits Hopewell this week, looking to improve to 6-2 on the year. Butler Eagle File Photo

KEEGAN BEARD

Standings after Week 7

Derek Pyda — 48-22 (5-5 last week)

Scoop — 47-23 (4-6)

Brendan Howe — 46-24 (4-6)

Jake Adams — 45-25 (3-7)

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Taylor Allderdice at Butler

Adams — I know I sound like a broken record, but when the Tornado limit the turnovers, they win. Last week was another multi-turnover game. Can they keep a hold of the ball again? Butler 34-28

Pyda — These teams appear evenly matched. I’ll take the home team. Butler 27-16

Howe — Butler has more depth than a City League school. I’ll take the Tornado. Butler 28-20

Scoop — The Golden Tornado climb back to .500 at home. Butler 24-17

Brockway at Union/A-C Valley

Adams — Union/A-C Valley 33-30

Pyda — Union/A-C Valley 25-16

Howe — Union/A-C Valley 28-27

Scoop — Union/A-C Valley 31-14

FRIDAY’S GAME

Freeport at Hopewell

Adams — Hopewell’s a young team led by a freshman running back and quarterback who have been impressive despite that youth. The Yellowjackets tend to feast on those types of teams. Freeport 28-13

Pyda — The Yellowjackets are coming off a huge win over conference foe Highlands. Now they hit the road to Beaver County for a non-conference matchup. It could lead to a letdown. Hopewell 22-14

Howe — I’ve ridden for Freeport all season. I’m a strong believer in their young cast. Freeport 35-14

Scoop — After last week’s three-score win at Highlands, I’m driving the bandwagon for the Yellowjackets. Freeport 22-16

McKeesport at Mars

Adams — Both teams got off to tough starts and turned things around of late with consecutive blowout wins. Planets’ new-found run game has impressed, but will it be enough? McKeesport 38-30

Pyda — Mars is one team that I’ve struggled to get an accurate read on this year. So this pick bodes well for the Planets. McKeesport 36-23

Howe — These are two good football teams with poor luck running into better teams. The four opponents the Tigers lost to are a combined 27-3. The teams Mars has bowed to are a combined 25-2. McKeesport was in the WPIAL Class 4A title game last year. That talent doesn’t just go away. McKeesport 34-14

Scoop — The good news for the Planets is they are a strong contender to make the playoffs. The bad news is a third straight win eludes them. McKeesport 27-17

Beaver at North Catholic

Adams — Could be the closest game of the week. Trojans will have their hands fill slowing down running back Qualan Cain, who had 799 yards (13.1 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns going into last week. Beaver 35-34

Pyda — Huge game here at JC Stone Field in North Park. Only the top three in the Western Hills Conference will be guaranteed a playoff spot and the winner of this game will have a stranglehold on third place. Tough game to pick. Beaver 45-35

Howe — Beaver has won their last two by a combined 91-0 score. The Trojans have dropped two in a row. Momentum is a real thing. Beaver 35-21

Scoop — The Bobcats’ bite is a bit too strong for the Trojans. Beaver 37-28

Hempfield at Seneca Valley

Adams — The Raiders are a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, at least from this vantage point. Hempfield 28-24

Pyda — Neither of these teams appeared headed for the playoffs a few weeks ago, but the winner of this game should get in. The Raiders halt Hempfield’s winning streak at two. Seneca Valley 39-24

Howe — It’s been a roller-coaster season for Seneca Valley. Here comes another dip. Hempfield 30-28

Scoop — The Spartans have a lot of momentum after back-to-back wins. They make it three on Friday. Hempfield 23-21

Karns City at Bradford

Adams — Karns City 45-14

Pyda — Karns City 53-18

Howe — Karns City 50-12

Scoop — Karns City 55-14

Hampton at Knoch

Adams — Hampton 28-21

Pyda — Knoch 22-21

Howe — Hampton 20-17

Scoop — Hampton 14-7