Welcome to “Week Zero.”

It’s a football Friday night when everyone becomes a contestant on the game show, Does It Count Or Doesn’t It?

Yough at Freeport?

Counts.

Butler at Knoch?

Doesn’t count.

Mars at Hampton?

Counts.

Seneca Valley at Blackhawk?

Doesn’t Count.

“Week Zero” came into existence last season as the PIAA moved from four classes to six. The state gave teams the option to play a regular-ol’ second scrimmage like in the olden days during “Week Zero,” or play a real honest-to-goodness game where the stats and the outcome counts.

On this “Week Zero” more teams have decided to play — for real.

That’s good.

The fact that “Week Zero” is still a thing at all makes it more like “Weak Zero.”

Not only is it confusing — see above — it makes the schedule unbalanced for some teams.

Especially outside the WPIAL.

Slippery Rock opens up on “Weak Zero,” but it’s not really “Weak Zero” in District 10.

The Rockets play a region game right off the bat when they travel to Reynolds.

So, “Weak Zero” is actually “Week One” of the league schedule and a very important early game.

In District 9, Karns City is testing its early metal in “Week Zero” against Armstrong.

That’s a solid game for both teams to play.

Last season, the two clashed in “Week Zero” and it was one of the better games of not only “Week Zero” but the season.

Even Union/A-C Valley is playing “a real game” in “Weak Zero.”

Moniteau isn’t, however, but that can be forgiven since the Warriors are breaking in a new head coach and a completely new offensive system.

Some coaches and schools like the option, however.

It does give them a certain flexibility when looking at what type of team they have coming into the season.

Experienced and ready to make a run? Perhaps find a “Week Zero” opponent who offers a challenge, like Karns City has.

Inexperienced and tinkering with a new attack? Maybe a second scrimmage is more beneficial, like Moniteau’s situation.

Still, the current system is downright convoluted. The PIAA and all its districts should get back on the same page.

Either have one scrimmage and games in “Week Zero,” which would then become the traditional “Week One” or go back to every team playing two scrimmages and nixing “Weak Zero” forever.

Please. Be a hero, PIAA, not a zero.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.