The Freeport football team and cheerleaders dance together after a 44-20 win against Mt. Pleasant in a WPIAL Class 3A first-round football game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Freeport High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

The first round of the district football playoffs was full of surprises. Will tonight provide more of the same?

Mars and North Catholic certainly hope so, after knocking off higher seeds in the WPIAL first round. In fact, all five Butler County teams still standing — including Freeport, Union/A-C Valley and Seneca Valley — are underdogs this week.

Wins by any of them extend their seasons to district finals or semifinals.

This year, the Eagle will provide this Friday night landing page for all things high school football. If you missed any of our preview coverage or predictions for the week, you can find it here. And tune into “Eye On Sports” to hear deeper breakdowns of the games. We’ll update the scores of each game as they’re reported from kickoff to final whistle. And after the action is over, you can find all our game coverage and photos from the field.

Bookmark this page for the latest from tonight’s playoff games.

North Catholic loses wild Class 3A quarterfinal on Elizabeth Forward’s walk-off field goal

Penn State commit Kemon Spell leads McKeesport past Mars in 4A semifinals

Central Valley smothers AMos Glenn, Freeport in Class 3A quarters

Central Catholic rolls over Seneca Valley in route to 6th straight WPIAL championship berth

Owen Bish throws, runs for TD, but Union/A-C Valley falls in D9 semis

Check back regularly for the latest in-game scores as they’re reported on social media.

Friday, Nov. 8

WPIAL

Class 6A semifinal — Central Catholic 38, Seneca Valley 14 (FINAL)

Class 4A semifinal — McKeesport 35, Mars 7 (FINAL)

Class 3A quarterfinal — Elizabeth Forward 45, North Catholic 42 (FINAL)

Class 3A quarterfinal — Central Valley 35, Freeport 7 (FINAL)

District 9

Class 1A semifinal — Redbank Valley 31, Union/A-C Valley 13 (FINAL)

Each week the Butler Eagle sports staff will preview everything you need to know ahead of Friday night’s games. Missed anything this week? Catch up with our analysis here:

Playoff staff picks: Who did Eagle reporters, Scoop predict will win?

Playoff preview: How Mars’ offensive line bonded, grew stronger at Primanti Bros. this season: ‘They eat together’

Eye On Sports: Some darn good volleyball, football picks and our greatest little league moments ... Spotify | Apple | YouTube