Reliving the Top 10 PA high school football games in Butler County we covered in 2025
We’re two weeks removed from the end of the high school football season, at least in Butler County.
As the state playoffs continue for another two weeks, and as postseason honors come out, and before the Butler Eagle’s Sweet 16 all-star offense and defense are released, we thought we’d look back at some of the biggest moments from the past season.
Here is one person’s ranking of the Top 10 games of the year the Butler Eagle staff covered, whether they included a dramatic overtime finish or a huge breakout performance by an individual:
We’ll start with arguably the best individual performance of the year, the night Mars’ Ayden Yocum ran for a career-high 329 yards and three touchdowns. The game put Yocum, who finished with the most rushing yards in Butler County this season, on the map as a first-year senior starter. It set the stage for another game on this list.
WATCH: Game highlights on Hudl
Not every game on this list will be a win for the local team. The county had several undefeated teams for quite a while, and the Yellowjackets were one of the last ones left. But Highlands got a shocking blocked PAT in overtime, handing Freeport its first loss of the year. Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg scored four times against the home team, topping Amos Glenn’s 139-yard, two-TD performance.
The Trojans entered the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs with question marks on defense. But the unit answered the call, forcing three turnovers on three straight drives to ignite a blowout. The victory was revenge for last year’s playoff loss to the Warriors. Ryker Kennedy caught three TD passes and finished with 100 yards, leading North into the semis, where it faced Avonworth.
WATCH: Game highlights on Hudl
Boy, was this one a juicy matchup on paper going in. And it almost matched expectations. RB Ayden Yocum and the Planets’ suffocating defense against all-world McKeesport back Kemon Spell. What wasn’t to like? Well, Mars didn’t like the 56-31 thumping handed to it by Spell, who ripped off a career-high six TDs. It was a loss for the local team, but one of the most energetic games of the year.
WATCH: Game highlights on Hudl
This game went a long way in setting the tone for what was easily Butler’s best season in 30-plus years. After falling behind 21-7, Connellsville turned the ball over on downs at the Butler 35, and the Tornado went on a tear that included three Mark Klemz scoring runs during a 37-0 run to completely flip the script in a a victory that improved Butler to 4-2 at the time.
WATCH: Game highlights on Hudl
Freeport had an incredible knack for scoring in all three phases this year, particularly special teams. One of the early indicators this team was capable of unique wins was in this blowout, when the Yellowjackets scored on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, two pick-sixes and a blocked punt for a safety. It was also one of the many times Glenn returned a punt (or kick) for a score, this time a 63-yarder.
The Raiders had nothing to play for. The playoffs were out of reach, so was a .500 record. But closing the season, especially with a new coach (Don Barclay) with an upset win over an arch rival will always play well. With NFL Films in attendance, Cayden Parker ran for 104 yards and caught a TD, and Danny Drennan returned a pick 48 yards to the house in a “culture changing” SV victory.
WATCH: Game highlights on Hudl
It was tough to pick between this game, the win No. 5 against University and the comeback win over Connellsville. But in the end, the Tornado’s Week 8 victory over Taylor Allderdice was their “most complete game of the year” and ensured their best season since 1992. Mark Klemz ran for 114 yards and two TDs, Nicco Baggetta threw for 183 and two scores and the defense forced a safety and first-play fumble as Butler improved to 7-1.
WATCH: Game highlights on Hudl
What a way to start the season. With a new coach (Clay Kohlmeyer) and new optimism, the Warriors started the season exorcising the demons of an 18-game losing streak dating back to 2023. Senior Brendin Sankey took to his new role as starting running back well, running for 146 yards and catching a 15-yard TD pass in a season-defining victory. Moniteau went on to win three games this season.
The Gremlins were the only Butler County team to win a district title this year and they did so emphatically as with their patented formula: defense and a powerful run game. Of the five turnovers KC forced, three went for scores: C.J. Emrick’s fumble recovery in the end zone, Hunter Scherer 8-yard returned fumble recovery and Shane Emrick’s pick-six. The Gremlins pummeled Central Clarion, for the second time this season, no less, to win their first district gold in four years.
