PIAA district high school football playoffs: Meet the X-factors for each Butler County team
For a lot of Butler County high school football teams, this regular season was a winding, up-and-down thrill ride. About half of the local crews have unbuckled from the rollercoaster. The other half, though, are getting ready for the postseason.
Freeport, Karns City, Mars, North Catholic and Union/A-C Valley open WPIAL and District 9 play Friday night, while Seneca Valley must wait a week for its postseason to begin.
Here is one player on each team who could make a huge difference for his side.
In one of three rematches of regular season tilts, the Planets (5-5) head to Montour on Friday. Childress figures to play a key role if Mars is to avenge a 31-14 home loss on Sept. 20.
He can make an impact in all three facets of the game. With 311 yards, he’s the Planets’ second-leading receiver. He’s nailed all 29 of his extra point tries and has a 46-yard field goal under his belt, as well.
Gallagher has been part of a damaging duo for the Falcon Knights (7-3).
Beside senior standout Owen Bish, Gallagher has rushed for 571 yards and four touchdowns on 108 carries. He also has 288 yards and another pair of scores as a receiver, further ensuring opposing defenses can’t just zero in on Bish.
Four Gremlins players have at least 500 yards on the ground. Johnston is one of them — and he’s the only one who touches the ball every play.
Special teams errors were a large part of what did Karns City (7-2) in against Central Clarion the last time. Gremlins coach Joe Sherwin has talked before about the signal-caller’s development.
Karns City will rely on Johnston to help extend drives, with his arms or legs. If successful, the Gremlins won’t have to send their punt team on the field as much.
The Raiders (3-6) have a tall task ahead of them in Central Catholic next week.
Parker has been a bright spot on Seneca Valley’s offense, rushing for a team-high 536 yards on 108 totes during the regular season.
The Vikings didn’t lose a game in Quad County Conference play. They beat the Raiders by 53 earlier this month. Parker will have to get something going on the ground for his team to have any sort of shot.
Trojans (4-6) junior quarterback Joey Felitsky has thrown for 2,430 yards and 20 touchdowns, the former mark being the highest in all of the WPIAL. Ryker Kennedy, also a junior, has 1,065 receiving yards. He’s one of only two WPIAL receivers with at least 1,000.
Just the name of North Catholic’s offensive strategy — the run-pass option — implies the need for a ground presence. Schade has been the team’s leading rusher this season with 403 yards on 75 attempts. He’ll have to keep the Deer Lakes defense honest.
Selinger isn’t just a big-play receiving threat for the Yellowjackets (7-3). He’s been a tackling machine, as well.
Freeport has surrendered more than 21 points in just three games this season. Selinger’s racked up 105 takedowns, including a pair of sacks.
Juniors Dawson Gaillot and Cole Troutman follow behind with 96 and 88 stops, respectively.
