Three of the eight teams that will hit the local gridirons Friday will do so in the playoffs.

It’s an odd football week in Butler County, the week were the WPIAL begins its march toward crowning a champion while District 9 and 10 close out the regular season.

There are three intriguing playoff matchups this week. The other games on the slate are just as interesting.

My quest for 100 wins also begins in earnest. My slow start this year may have ended that chance as I stand 78-22 after another 10-1 week.

Ironically, as bad as I was early in the season, I was 77-22 at this point last year and came within nine victories of the century mark.

With eight games this week and probably just as many next week, I do have a chance to inch closer to 100.

On to the picks:

Seneca Valley 36, Hemfield 18 — In a rematch of last year’s Quad-A first-round playoff game, Hempfield returns to NexTier Stadium with a healthy Joey DeFloria this time.

DeFloria has 1,300 yards rushing this season and will provide the Raiders with quite the challenge.

But SV has been up to the challenge all year. And they have their own dynamic player in T.J. Holl.

Raiders win again.

Mars 37, Elizabeth Forward 16 — Elizabeth Forward quarterback JaQuan Davidson, a University of Pittsburgh recruit, has thrown 14 touchdowns and no interceptions this season.

The Planets have been playing well on both sides of the ball down the stretch and carry an eight-game winning streak into this Class AAA clash.

And they have plenty of weapons in their own right.

Mars moves on.

Beaver Falls 38, Summit Academy 14 — There is no downplaying how monumental an achievement it is for Summit Academy to make the playoffs.

Nearly the entire roster turns over every year and coach Steve Sherer must mesh a new group of players together quickly.

He did that this season. That being said, though, The Knights face a very tough first-round opponent this week and the run will end.

Karns City 47, Marion Center 10 — The Gremlins tune-up for the playoffs with a win.

Brockway 28, Moniteau 27 — The Warriors have been red-hot in October. Brockway, though, spoils a wonderful Cinderella story.

Cambridge Springs 27, Union 20 — In a microcosm of the season, the Golden Knights play hard against a quality opponent, but fall just short.

Shade 24, A-C Valley 15 — Shade is just a shade better than the Falcons, even after a three-hour road trip to Foxburg.

Slippery Rock 42, DuBois 26 — The Rockets explosive offense ignites again.

Scoop is excited about the postseason.