Butler County football predictions: See our staff picks for Week 9’s games

Eagle Sports Staff

October 17, 2024 Last Updated: October 16, 2024 07:33 PM Sports

The penultimate week of high school football is upon us.

Mars, Seneca Valley and Knoch are each trying to secure a WPIAL playoff spot. Butler needs one more win to finish at least .500, a marked improvement from 2023. And Freeport wants to keep rolling into the playoffs on a high note.

There’s a lot to cover and a lot of intriguing as the regular season is wrapping up.

Here is how the Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop see Week 9’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.

Standings after Week 8

Derek Pyda — 57-24 (9-2 last week)

Scoop — 55-26 (8-3)

Brendan Howe — 54-27 (8-3)

Jake Adams — 53-28 (8-3)

Butler defeated Taylor Allderdice 7-0 during a football game on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

FRIDAY’S GAME

Butler at Wheeling Park (W.Va.)

Adams — A new wrinkle from the Golden Tornado last week led to a fourth win. Can they sustain it? The Patriots’ defense, led by Jameson Maynard, looks like it can get after QBs and cause problems. Wheeling Park 28-14

Pyda — Brennan Wack is a junior running back for Wheeling Park who is averaging nearly 150 yards per game on the ground and has scored 13 TDs. He will be the difference. Wheeling Park 30-13

Howe — Butler could only manage seven points at home against a team that doesn’t quite match up to this week’s opponent. That won’t cut it this week. Wheeling Park 35-14

Scoop — Recent struggles for Butler on offense get no reprieve against the Patriots. Wheeling Park 27-10

Mars at Hampton

Adams — Despite last week’s loss against a very good McKeesport side, the Planets seem to be on the upswing. Not good for the Talbots, whose offense has struggled to put up points consistently this season. Mars 41-14

Pyda — The Talbots will struggle to stop the Planets’ running game. Mars wins this one going away. Mars 38-6

Howe — Mars trounced Knoch. Knoch trounced Hampton. Therefore, Mars will make easy work of Hampton. Mars 35-13

Scoop — Only a very strong McKeesport team stopped Mars’ momentum last week. The Planets bounce back in a big way. Mars 40-12

Knoch at West Mifflin

Adams — That was an impressive recovery by the Knights in Week 8, one week after getting blown out by Mars. Knoch wins a second straight game for the first time this season. Knoch 35-14

Pyda — With McKeesport lurking on its schedule next week, Knoch desperately needs this game for its playoff hopes. Knoch 28-19

Howe — Injuries? Who cares? Codi Mullen is a game-breaker. I’m taking the Knights. Knoch 24-20

Scoop — A win against West Mifflin will ensure the Knights of a winning record in conference games. Knoch 32-16

North Catholic at Avonworth

Adams — This has been a brutal stretch for the Trojans, who have allowed at least 46 points in three straight losses. Won’t get any easier against the Antelopes, the fourth straight top-five team in TribLive’s WPIAL Class 3A power rankings North has faced. Avonworth 45-17

Pyda — A struggling defense does not bode well when facing the Antelopes. Avonworth 37-22

Howe — My blowouts curse affected North Catholic last week. I won’t be there this week, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Avonworth 35-20

Scoop — North Catholic’s playoff hopes would get a huge boost with a win, but the Trojans’ slide continues. Avonworth 35-24

Hickory at Slippery Rock

Adams — The Rockets have been overmatched often this season, and unfortunately that’s the case again against the Hornets, who have scored 49-plus in three straight. Hickory 49-7

Pyda — The Hornets will win, but I expect the Rockets to make it a fight. Hickory 32-21

Howe — We’re all in agreement this week, huh? Grove City lost to Hickory by 63. Conneaut by 57. Those two are mutual opponents for these two teams. Hickory 40-18

Scoop — Running back Kelvin Morrison’s 1,000-plus yard, 18-touchdown season rolls on. Hickory 34-13

Seneca Valley at Central Catholic

Adams — Central Catholic 47-14

Pyda — Central Catholic 33-10

Howe — Central Catholic 34-13

Scoop — Central Catholic 39-20

Freeport at East Allegheny

Adams — Freeport 49-7

Pyda — Freeport 45-0

Howe — Freeport 35-6

Scoop — Freeport 31-8

Keystone at Karns City