What a week!

There are traveling trophies to be won, bragging rights to be earned, playoff spots to be cemented.

This is a great time of year to be a high-school football fan.

As the season winds down, the pressure and intrigue mounts.

The feathers on my wings are standing up just thinking about the big games on tap this weekend.

I'm more giddy than Tom Brady right now.

So, let's get to it:

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Seneca Valley 31, Butler 12 — It's the battle for the Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy, which hasn't done much traveling lately as the Golden Tornado have hoarded the hardware for the past four years.But dust it off, shine it up and get it ready to move, because the Raiders mean to wrest it back to Jackson Township.There is more at stake than a trophy, though, my friends.Butler is trying to avoid a rare O-fer. Seneca Valley is trying to avoid a loss heading into the, gasp, playoffs.Rivalry games are hard to pick. This game is Butler's season, but the Raiders are just too good — and too hot — right now.•

Knoch 27, Highlands 22 — The Knights' one-point loss last week toIndiana makes this tilt even bigger.A win and Knoch gets a high seed and a home playoff game. A loss and the Knights hit the road in the first round of the playoffs.With that kind of fate at stake, bet on Mike King and Knoch to rebound at home.•

Mars 37, Mohawk 18 — The Planets escaped Summit Academy with a win last week. This week, it's all business for Mars.•

KarnsCity 51, Union 10 — This one is a lock.•

Moniteau 32,Clarion 18 — Jeff Campbell did his bestJim Fassel impersonation last week, proclaiming his team would not go to the playoffs at 5-5.The Warriors are 5-3 and face a Clarion team that is angry after a season that has gotten away from it.Still, Moniteau is hungrier than Clarion is mad.•

SlipperyRock 26, Erie Central Tech 12 — If theRockets can neutralize Central Tech's speed, they will take another big step toward the postseason.•

Ford City 27,Freeport 10 — The Yellowjackets' playoff fate always seems to come down to beatingFord City. Wait 'till next year.•

Keystone 36, A-CValley 10 — Another lock.•

Grove City 24, Greenville 22 — Perhaps the most intriguing game of the week. Both teams are 7-1. Both teams have 105 first downs. The only difference is Grove City runs the ball much better than the Trojans. That should be worth a win.•

Summit Academy 42, Cornell 16 — Even Mars coach Scott Heinauer is singing the praises of Summit. And why not? The Knights nearly upset the Planets.No upset here. Summit in a lock.Scoop was 8-2 last week, is 71-17 overall and a lock to become the best prognosticating mascot of all time.