With two games remaining in the regular season, the Butler County Bears have an outside chance at reaching the United States Football Alliance playoffs.

The first-year team carries a record of 3-3-1 into Saturday's 4:45 p.m. kickoff against the unbeaten Pittsburgh Pride at Valley High School in New Kensington.

That record is pending a formal appeal made by the West Virginia Gladiators, the team the Bears are battling with for the final playoff spot in the Keystone Division of the Southern Conference.

The Gladiators (4-3) had a 28-6 lead on the Bears at halftime two weekends ago at Karns City. Heavy storms and lightning prohibited the game from resuming.

USFA rules state that any game called at or before halftime is ruled a no contest and goes into the books as a tie.

"The Gladiators have filed a protest with the league, arguing that they should be awarded the win because of the score," Bears coach Kirk Bergbigler said. "They believe we had no chance of coming back in that game.

"I disagree. We forced four turnovers in the second quarter and were turning the tide."

Game officials waited 45 minutes before calling the game, based on radar indications that lightning would remain in the area until 3 a.m.

Butler County played at home last Saturday and shut out the Mountain State Bruins, 29-0. Seneca Valley graduate Mike Dubois switched from wide receiver to running back and scored three touchdowns.

Karns City graduate Stephon Conto rushed for Butler County's other score.

If West Virginia wins its protest, the Bears will be practically eliminated from the playoff chase. If that game is ruled a tie, the Bears can make the playoffs with wins in their final two games along with one Gladiator loss.

Butler County closes its regular season at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 against the Cleveland Saints at Karns City.