It's not easy being a mascot these days.

People in Pittsburgh hate Steely McBeam.

The Slippery Rock Sliders' mascot looks like some dude fell head first into a baseball-shaped pinata.

And now, for the second season in a row, I have been asked to predict the winners of high school football games each week.

Hey. I'm going to call them like I see them, so don't get your feathers ruffled.

Mascots might be goofy looking and we're always after a laugh, but cut us and do we not bleed — foam?

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Kiski Area 24, Butler 11: With only three letterwinners back, the Golden Tornado are as young as a couple of those chicks I saw recently in a nearby nest.Something can be said for youth. Youth makes you hungry. Youth makes you enthusiastic. Throw in a new, youthful coach, and Butler should be fired up for its home opener.But youth can also be bad, particularly at the beginning of seasons.The Golden Tornado improved mightily between their first and second scrimmage, but the games are real now and Kiski is a feather or two better.•

Norwin 21, SenecaValley 14: The Raiders have been preaching consistency in camp. They will get close to nipping Norwin, but will fall a little short.•

Montour 24, Knoch 22: If Knoch senior running back Alex Whisler stays healthy, he should have a monster season. But Montour is a little too much for the Knights.•

Mars 27, Laurel 17: Here's a tip: Take Billy Bair first in your fantasy high school football draft. The Mars runner should be the L.T. of Butler County.He'll have plenty of TDs in this one as the Planets will get off to a good start.•

Grove City 40, Slippery Rock 14: This game is usually close, no matter the skill level of the two teams. But Grove City is as loaded as Lindsay Lohan on a Saturday night.•

Karns City 27, St. Marys 9: Most of the Gremlins are sporting mohawks. That's worth a touchdown or two out of intimidation right there.•

Moniteau 29, Clarion-Limestone 10: Naturally, I like air shows, and the Warriors, with quarterback Tyler Armagost, should have one of the best.•

Union 16, Cambridge Springs 7: No, the sky isn't falling. Union is for real. The Golden Knights should begin 1-0 for the second straight season.•

Clarion 41, A-C Valley 6: A-C Valley's players have heart, but it might be another long season in Foxburg.•

Shady Side Academy 22, Freeport 14: Speaking of youth, the Yellowjackets can rival Butler in that department. Shady Side is a little more polished.•

Summit Academy 17, Union-New Castle 12 — The Knights begin each season in the ultimate state of rebuilding, but coach Steve Sherer does the best under that adversity. They should begin the season 1-0 on a march toward their first playoff berth in school history.Scoop is undefeated this season. This is probably the last time he can say that.