PIAA high school football 2026: Butler County team previews, top players and fall sports breakdowns
Butler lineman Jordan Vicari tackles a teammate during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
We are ready for some football.
The countdown has already begun for that and all the rest of the fall sports, and the Butler Eagle is gearing up for the 2026 PIAA season with three weeks of sideline-to-sideline preview content.
The sports staff of editor Jake Merda Adams and reporters Derek Pyda and Brendan Howe are breaking down all 11 football teams with team breakdowns, features and the preseason Sweet 16 players to watch. And we’ll have storylines and players to watch for soccer and all the rest.
And be sure to grab the Butler Eagle’s football preview special section Aug. 26 on newsstands.
Not a subscriber? Consider becoming one for as low as $9 a month for a digital subscription and $16 a month for a print subscription. And subscribe to our "Eye On Sports" podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Season 3 begins Aug. 27.
Here’s everything you need to know for the upcoming season:
Butler County football 2026 preseason honors, players to watch
∎ Top 5 contenders for this year’s Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy
∎ Here are the area’s top college football recruits and commits
∎ Meet the Butler County preseason Sweet 16 offense
∎ Meet the Butler County preseason Sweet 16 defense
PA football 2026: Butler County team, weekly schedules and top games
∎ Butler to Union/A-C Valley: Each team’s schedule
∎ A week-by-week schedule of the football season
∎ The Top 10 games you don’t want to miss this season
PIAA football previews 2026: What to know about each Butler County team
∎ Butler: What to watch and 3 things to know | The feisty WRs who are key to Tornado’s offense in 2026 | Podcast: Can Butler follow up on breakout 2025? Who would be in team’s boy band
∎ Freeport: What to watch and 3 things to know | As Danny King takes over at QB, his WR past will help him | Podcast: Can Freeport keep up winning ways in WPIAL in 2026? Least favorite chore
∎ Karns City: What to watch and 3 things to know | What will Bryce Galan’s encore be after breakout 2025? | Podcast: Can D9 champion Karns City repeat? Coach Sherwin as Disney princess
∎ Knoch: What to watch and 3 things to know | QB Max Wiley ready to make noise after winless 2025 | Can Knoch rebound after difficult season? Coach’s Disney princess comp
∎ Mars: What to watch and 3 things to know | A QB competition under first-year coach is setting early tone | With new coach, can Mars match past success in 2026? Favorite wing sides
∎ Moniteau: What to watch and 3 things to know | Despite loss, Warriors’ o-line remains a strength | Podcast: What’s next for Moniteau after 2025 turnaround? Team’s best dancer
∎ North Catholic: What to watch and 3 things to know | Why Trojans will lean heavily on WR Will Waskiewicz | Podcast: Can new weapons lead NC’s to same level? Least favorite drill
∎ Seneca Valley: What to watch and 3 things to know | Albany commit, CB Julian Hunt’s self-talk has paid off | Podcast: How is Raiders’ new-look offense taking shape? Super Bowl dream spread
∎ Slippery Rock: What to watch and 3 things to know | Why the Rockets are counting on Cole Schwartz | “Eye on Sports” episode (Aug. 24)
∎ Summit Academy: What to know about the Knights
∎ Union/A-C Valley: What to watch and 3 things to know | Micah Kindel, Noah Yori will be the anchors of Falcon Knights’ defense | “Eye on Sports” episode (Aug. 24)
2026 PIAA fall sports previews
∎ Golf: Top boys and girls golfers to watch
∎ Girls tennis: Top players to watch
∎ Girls volleyball: Top players to watch
∎ Boys soccer: Top storylines from Butler, Knoch and more | Top players to watch
∎ Girls soccer: Top storylines to follow | Top players to watch
∎ Boys cross country: Top runners to watch
∎ Girls cross country: Top runners to watch
Knoch's Makai Noah (73), Carter Beres, back center, and Max Wiley (4) pose with head coach T.J. Wiley, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler's Jake Kollinger, left, Nicco Baggetta, center, and Jordan Vicari, right, hold head coach Eric Christy during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Moniteau's Carter Knight (56), Bryce Stamm, back center, and Bryan Hazlet (52) pose with head coach Clay Kohlmeyer, center, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' Jameson Garvin (8), Jameson Dickman (77) and Ryan Walker (4) pose with head coach Zachary Benedek, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz (6), Joey Culleiton, back center, and Louie Iaquinta (3) pose with head coach Chris Rizzo, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock's Logan Schlobohm (4), Aden Shay, back center, and Cole Schwartz (11), pose with head coach Steve Monteleone, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley's Josiah Edwards (24), Julian Hunt, back center, and Jamen Alwine (3), pose with head coach Don Barclay, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish (2), Noah Yori (56), Stephen Hepler (12) and Nicholas Ielase (8) pose with head coach Dan Reed, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Karter Kemp (60), Cameron Manke (52), Danny King (8) and Bryson Paga (2) pose during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Karns City's Owen Kaufman (24), Cole Johnston, back center, and Bryce Galan (25) pose with head coach Joe Sherwin, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Union/A-C Valley's Stephen Hepler (12) jumps to dunk the football through Nicholas Ielase's (right) arms during a video shoot with teammates at Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yorr (56) enjoys some wings from the Beacon Hotel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Moniteau's Bryan Hazlet (52), Bryce Stamm (64) and Carter Knight (56) during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars head coach Zachary Benedek talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Freeport's Karter Kemp talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley head coach Don Barclay talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yorr (56) and Parker Bish (2) enjoy wings from the Beacon Hotel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock's Aden Shay (5), Cole Schwartz (11) and Logan Schlobohm (4) record a celebration video during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars head coach Zachary Benedek, center, talks to Butler Radio's Tyler Friel, left, while players listen during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Seneca valley's Jamen Alwine (3) plays duck, duck, goose with teammates Julian Hunt (12) and Josiah Edwards (24) during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler's Nash Cuffman (15), runs with the football during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
A Butler football coach works on conditioning drills with players during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler's Wilde Paule runs up the sideline during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler quarterback Nicco Baggetta launches a pass during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler players work on tackling during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler players run through a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler's offense lines up for a play during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler receiver Charles Rodgers, left, pulls down a one-handed catch while Wilde Paul defends during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler's AJ Morris, back, kicks a field goal with Nicco Baggetta, front, holding during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler receiver Charles Rodgers, left, pulls down a one-handed catch while Wilde Paul defends during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler lineman Jordan Vicari tackles a teammate during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Butler's Jake Kollinger, left, catches a pass in front of Mark Walter, right, during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' head football coach Zachary Benedek during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' Nate Walker passes during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' Nate Walker passes during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' Ray Chase runs with the ball during a drill in football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' head coach Zacharry Benedek during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
Mars' QB Colin Yurisinec throws a pass during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Knoch's Makai Noah (73), Carter Beres, back center, and Max Wiley (4) pose with head coach T.J. Wiley, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Jake Kollinger, left, Nicco Baggetta, center, and Jordan Vicari, right, hold head coach Eric Christy during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Carter Knight (56), Bryce Stamm, back center, and Bryan Hazlet (52) pose with head coach Clay Kohlmeyer, center, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Jameson Garvin (8), Jameson Dickman (77) and Ryan Walker (4) pose with head coach Zachary Benedek, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz (6), Joey Culleiton, back center, and Louie Iaquinta (3) pose with head coach Chris Rizzo, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Logan Schlobohm (4), Aden Shay, back center, and Cole Schwartz (11), pose with head coach Steve Monteleone, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley's Josiah Edwards (24), Julian Hunt, back center, and Jamen Alwine (3), pose with head coach Don Barclay, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish (2), Noah Yori (56), Stephen Hepler (12) and Nicholas Ielase (8) pose with head coach Dan Reed, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Karter Kemp (60), Cameron Manke (52), Danny King (8) and Bryson Paga (2) pose during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Karns City's Owen Kaufman (24), Cole Johnston, back center, and Bryce Galan (25) pose with head coach Joe Sherwin, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Stephen Hepler (12) jumps to dunk the football through Nicholas Ielase's (right) arms during a video shoot with teammates at Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yorr (56) enjoys some wings from the Beacon Hotel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Bryan Hazlet (52), Bryce Stamm (64) and Carter Knight (56) during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars head coach Zachary Benedek talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Karter Kemp talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley head coach Don Barclay talks to Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yorr (56) and Parker Bish (2) enjoy wings from the Beacon Hotel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Aden Shay (5), Cole Schwartz (11) and Logan Schlobohm (4) record a celebration video during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars head coach Zachary Benedek, center, talks to Butler Radio's Tyler Friel, left, while players listen during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Seneca valley's Jamen Alwine (3) plays duck, duck, goose with teammates Julian Hunt (12) and Josiah Edwards (24) during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Nash Cuffman (15), runs with the football during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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A Butler football coach works on conditioning drills with players during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Wilde Paule runs up the sideline during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler quarterback Nicco Baggetta launches a pass during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler players work on tackling during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler players run through a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler's offense lines up for a play during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler receiver Charles Rodgers, left, pulls down a one-handed catch while Wilde Paul defends during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler's AJ Morris, back, kicks a field goal with Nicco Baggetta, front, holding during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler receiver Charles Rodgers, left, pulls down a one-handed catch while Wilde Paul defends during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler lineman Jordan Vicari tackles a teammate during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Butler's Jake Kollinger, left, catches a pass in front of Mark Walter, right, during football practice Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' head football coach Zachary Benedek during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Nate Walker passes during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Nate Walker passes during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Ray Chase runs with the ball during a drill in football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' head coach Zacharry Benedek during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Mars' QB Colin Yurisinec throws a pass during football practice Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the Mars Athletic Complex. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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