It’s crunch time.

The high school playoffs are clear on the horizon now and several Butler County area teams are trying to sail toward it.

While others are sinking and clamoring for a life raft.

Luckily, Scoop here is in no such peril. I went 9-3 last week, but there were a few upsets.

My season record is now 70-14 — still on pace for my Holy Grail of 100 victories.

On to the picks:

Fox Chapel 28, Butler 19 — The Golden Tornado need to win by seven or more to put themselves in a position to make the playoffs.

While Butler is certainly capable of winning at Fox Chapel, I have to take the Foxes.

Penn Hills 30, Seneca Valley 19 — The Indians are averaging 400 yards rushing per game this season.

If the Raiders are to pull off an upset, they’ll have to keep that run game in check.

Mars 30, Hollidaysburg 16 — It’s been a decade since the Planets have had such a precarious postseason chase this late in the season.

But this is Mars we are talking about and the Planets have a way of winning games late in the season.

Knoch 17, Indiana 14 — The switch to Cole Shinsky at quarterback paid early dividends last week in the win over Mars.

The defense, though, is the key to the Knights.

Freeport 34, Burrell 15 — After a murderer’s row of opponents the last few weeks, the Yellowjackets will get a much-needed victory.

Karns City 47, Keystone 12 — The Gremlins keep on chugging their way toward the playoffs and a District 9 title run.

Moniteau 28, Redbank Valley 27 — Upset special! Redbank is undefeated behind a potent passing game, but the Warriors have the perfect formula to win this one: Control the ball, keep the Bulldogs offense off the field, get a W.

Brookville 27, A-C Valley 16 — The Falcons have been getting production from guys like Evan Redding, Anthony Painter, Zach Muhl and Hunter Defibaugh and it may be enough against depleted Brookville.

This could be another upset special, but picking two such upsets is risky.

Ridgway 38, Union 16 — The Golden Knights are getting dangerously low on healthy bodies and are going up against an undefeated foe.

Slippery Rock 31, Sharon 9 — The Tigers have won five straight games after losing the first two in two shutout losses.

The Rockets are also rolling. I’ll go with the rolling Rockets.

Hickory 40, Grove City 14 — The Eagles could be 3-4 right now if things had gone their way late in several games.

Hickory is coming off a 41-0 blasting of Wilmington in a game where it was without six starters.

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 39, Bishop Canevin 7 — Tell me if you have heard this before: The Trojans will win.

Mohawk 38, Summit Academy 16 — The Knights’ trek through arguably the toughest Class AA section in the WPIAL continues.

Scoop is ready to play defensive back if Mike Tomlin needs him.