Butler County football predictions: See our staff picks for Week 10’s games before playoffs begin
The high school football season comes to an end this week, and the playoffs begin next week.
With one final full slate of games, here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop see Week 10’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.
Derek Pyda — 66-25 (9-1 last week)
Scoop — 64-27 (9-1)
Brendan Howe — 63-28 (9-1)
Jake Adams — 62-29 (9-1)
Union/A-C Valley at Reynolds
Adams — Reynolds hasn’t been involved in too many close games, especially of late. I think Owen Bish and Max Gallagher can find the end zone a few times in this one. Union/A-C Valley 35-28
Pyda — Reynolds has not defeated a team with a winning record this season. Look for the Falcon Knights to keep things on the ground to defeat the Raiders. Union/A-C Valley 26-20
Howe — Bish exited last week’s game but was cleared to play this week, according to Falcon Knights coach Dan Reed. Even if he plays in a limited capacity, he’s the difference-maker. Union/A-C Valley 28-20
Scoop — The Falcon Knights will succeed in their search for a seventh win. Union/A-C Valley 22-7
Central Clarion at Butler
Adams — It’d be a great story if Butler can finish .500 as an independent, but I saw the box score from that rout of Karns City, and Central Clarion is not to be trifled with. Central Clarion 35-14
Pyda — The Wildcats have allowed just 33 points all season. They have outscored their last four opponents 228-0. Butler’s size up front will keep this one relatively close. Central Clarion 30-14
Howe — Central Clarion is about as daunting a senior night opponent as it gets. Central Clarion 42-13
Scoop — Central Clarion has simply been too dominant for me to pick against it. Central Clarion 38-10
Imani Christian at Freeport
Adams — A win and Deer Lakes loss would hand the Yellowjackets the section title. But they have to be a prohibitive favorite that is 9-0 and is probably the best 3A team in the WPIAL. Imani Christian 42-20
Pyda — The Saints have scored at least 42 points in seven games this season. Just a bit too much firepower for the Yellowjackets. Imani Christian 32-17
Howe — Imani Christian has won its last three by a combined 179-6 count. Freeport will put up a fight, but outputs like that aren’t easy to top. Imani Christian 42-28
Scoop — The Yellowjackets are not a team I’d want to run into in the playoffs. The Saints, however, will own the night. Imani Christian 41-14
Saint Marys at Karns City
Adams — Only 51 points from the Gremlins? They’re slacking off. ... Kidding. I don’t expect the Flying Dutch to be the same kind of pushover as KC’s last few opponents. Karns City 35-15
Pyda — Saint Marys earned a 21-14 win two weeks ago against a solid DuBois team. This game will be closer than I originally thought, but I’m still picking the Gremlins. Karns City 30-16
Howe — Karns City has a head of steam. As does its running game. I won’t pick against the Gremlins. Karns City 45-14
Scoop — KC has the chance to enter the postseason with a full head of steam. The Dutch will fail to interrupt that. Karns City 47-21
Hopewell at North Catholic
Adams — A battle of two teams who desperately need a win to maintain hope of a WPIAL wildcard spot. Trojans’ defense needs to step up to pull off the win. Hopewell 37-31
Pyda — The Trojans’ defense has given up a lot of points to the top teams it has played this season — Avonworth, Beaver and Central Valley. Hopewell is a good team, but not at that level. North Catholic 34-24
Howe — North Cathoilc’s defense struggled against Beaver when I covered them this season. But I think their passing game carries them to a positive result here. North Catholic 34-12
Scoop — The Trojans have met with much frustration over the last few weeks. Friday, they hand it to the Vikings. North Catholic 30-19
McKeesport at Knoch
Adams — McKeesport 38-14
Pyda — McKeesport 37-14
Howe — McKeesport 38-20
Scoop — McKeesport 40-8
Indiana at Mars
Adams — Mars 43-7
Pyda — Mars 50-8
Howe — Mars 35-13
Scoop — Mars 39-0
Ridgway at Moniteau
Adams — Ridgway 38-7
Pyda — Ridgway 35-12
Howe — Ridgway 34-6
Scoop — Ridgway 27-14
Seneca Valley at North Allegheny
Adams — North Allegheny 35-20
Pyda — North Allegheny 38-13
Howe — North Allegheny 34-7
Scoop — North Allegheny 42-21
Slippery Rock at Mercer
Adams — Slippery Rock 21-16
Pyda — Slippery Rock 17-13
Howe — Slippery Rock 25-13
Scoop — Slippery Rock 20-8
Summit Academy at Shenango
Adams — Summit Academy 27-21
Pyda — Shenango 22-16
Howe — Summit Academy 28-21
Scoop — Summit Academy 33-27
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