District 9, WPIAL football playoff predictions: See our staff picks for Friday’s games
Welcome to the WPIAL and District 9 playoffs.
Six Butler County football teams have made the second season, and five of them play this week (Seneca Valley’s tournament begins next week). Who will survive and advance?
Here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop this week’s playoff games unfolding, breaking down all five contests and predicting a final score.
Derek Pyda — 77-25 (11-0 last week)
Scoop — 74-28 (10-1)
Brendan Howe — 73-29 (10-1)
Jake Adams — 71-31 (9-2)
WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals
Mars at Montour
Adams — We’ve already seen how this one went back in Week 5. And while the Planets have played much better since that 31-14 loss, the Spartans have been consistently great all season. Montour 35-28
Pyda — Mars did a great job turning its season around, from 1-4 to 5-5. Montour’s passing attack, which has produced 24 TDs and just four INTs this season, will be the difference. Montour 31-20
Howe — The last time these teams played, Mars was starting to find itself after losing senior quarterback Luke Goodworth. I think the Planets have an identity now. Mars 28-27
Scoop — Mars has recently played much better than the No. 7 seed it received, but one win in the first half of the season cost the Planets. Montour 25-20
WPIAL Class 3A first round
Mt. Pleasant at Freeport
Adams — The winner of this one gets an unpleasant matchup next week against No. 2 Central Valley. I like the way the Yellowjackets have played much of the season and think Amos Glenn and company can pick up one more win. Freeport 35-21
Pyda — Freeport’s defense is very good. They gave up more than 40 points to Imani Christian, the top seed in the WPIAL playoffs, so no shame there, and nearly beat Deer Lakes earlier this season. Freeport 29-13
Howe — This is a young Freeport team, but an experienced one. Those reps will help out here. Freeport 28-14
Scoop — Freeport possesses too many playmakers on both sides of the ball for the Vikings to handle. Freeport 30-7
North Catholic at Deer Lakes
Adams — Defense has been the Trojans’ weak link all season, and the Lancers boast a quarterback with 1,200 yards and 15 TDs and a running back with 1,100 yards and 16 scores. Deer Lakes 41-28
Pyda — The Trojans have already entered playoff mode, defeating Hopewell in a must-win game last week. Deer Lakes has had a great season, but North’s offense will be too much. North Catholic 33-28
Howe — That Trojans offense got going again last week in what was basically a playoff game. It’ll keep going in this one. North Catholic 35-14
Scoop — I think both defenses will struggle in this game, but it will be the Trojans who make a few more plays. North Catholic 30-28
District 9 Class 2A championship
Karns City vs. Central Clarion
Adams — Karns City is really good, especially of late. Central Clarion is on another level, though. I think the Gremlins avoid another blowout loss, but they won’t claim the district title. Central Clarion 35-24
Pyda — This will not be a 60-plus point win for the Wildcats like it was back it September, but Central Clarion will win a district title. Central Clarion 30-16
Howe — I don’t see the Gremlins tripping themselves like they did last time. I’ll take the upset. Karns City 35-33
Scoop — Talent and pride will help KC keep this one relatively close, but the Wildcats move on. Central Clarion 32-18
District 9 Class 1A quarterfinals
Otto-Eldred at Union/A-C Valley
Adams — More than 1,800 yards and 26 touchdowns for Terrors QB Shane Magee, an impressive total in just eight games. If UAC can contain the passing game, that will be enough. Union/A-C Valley 35-27
Pyda — The Terrors have not played a game since Oct. 11. They play in a very weak region of District 9. Their one loss was to Kane, a 3-win team from Union/A-C Valley’s region. Union/A-C Valley 41-12
Howe — The Falcon Knights aren’t just Owen Bish. They’ll continue their march. Union/A-C Valley 28-24
Scoop — The Falcon Knights are simply too good on offense for Otto-Eldred to pull off this upset. Union/A-C Valley 38-8
