PIAA football picks Week 7 | Will Butler, Karns City, Moniteau bounce back as playoff races heat up?

Jake Merda Adams and Derek Pyda

October 08, 2026 Last Updated: October 07, 2026 06:35 PM Sports

Butler's Patrick Kisoma (9) picks off a Taylor Allderdice pass in a football game Sept. 4 at Butler’s Art Bernardi Stadium. The Tornado hope to snap a three-game losing streak this week. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle

Andrew Jackson

It was a brutal week for Butler County football teams a week ago, and several teams need to pick up the pieces quickly.

Karns City is still in good shape despite a stunning loss, but Moniteau, Knoch, Slippery Rock and others are looking to bounce back in Week 7 with playoff berths on the line over the final month of the PIAA season.

We’ve got our picks for all of this week’s games below, including analysis for a handful of the matchups. Follow along at butlereagle.com Friday for live updates, scores and highlights from every game.

Standings

Derek Pyda — 49-10 (8-2 last week)

Scoop — 49-10 (9-1)

Jake Merda Adams — 44-15 (8-2)

Week 7

All games are 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise indicated.

Baldwin at Butler

Merda Adams — This is a much-needed reset for the Golden Tornado (3-3) after a difficult stretch against another former WPIAL program in the Highlanders (1-5) going the independent route to try to rebuild. Butler 40-6

Pyda — Three straight losses have the Tornado desperate to get back in the win column. They will not disappoint against the Highlanders. Butler 30-14

Scoop — Remember the big plays that Butler turned in during its three-game win streak to begin the season? It’s time to turn back the clock. Butler 37-8

Karns City at Ridgway

Merda Adams — That was a shocking loss for the Gremlins (5-1) last week. The Elkers (5-1) are no pushover, though, but I think KC’s going to be fuming mad with itself. Time to get back on track. Karns City 42-13

Pyda — The Gremlins were punched in the mouth last week by Central Clarion. That, coupled with the fact that Ridgway is a formidable opponent, will keep KC’s players on task in practice this week. Karns City 35-20

Scoop — My feathers were a bit ruffled when I saw the result of KC’s game last week. I was not expecting a loss, let alone a lopsided one. The Gremlins will get back on track this week. Karns City 24-7

Moniteau at Otto-Eldred

Merda Adams — I’m just going off gut this week with this one. The Warriors (2-4) need a big win as they try to make the playoffs. The Terrors (3-3) are coming off a loss to Kane. Moniteau 33-27

Pyda — The Warriors know they must play well over the last four weeks of the season to have a shot at the District 9 playoffs. Their march begins Friday. Moniteau 27-21

Scoop — Moniteau just lost to the best team in District 9 Region 4 (Smethport). A win Friday will cement its position as runner-up. Moniteau 25-12

Blackhawk at Mars

Merda Adams — Nearly every game the Planets (2-4) have played has been close, and the defense continues to hold its own. The Cougars (5-1) are led by three backs averaging 9.2 yards or better and two of them have already reached 500 yards. Mars 24-14

Pyda — Mars is not that far from having four or five wins. The start of Parkway Conference play is a perfect time to start closing the deal in games. Mars 22-21

Scoop — The Planets have been up and down thus far, but now they get a clean slate. Four conference games to decide if they are playoff-worthy. Mars 34-22

Mt. Lebanon at Seneca Valley

Merda Adams — Sure, the Blue Devils (0-5) have played some really tough teams early and that partially explains why they’ve scored just nine points total. But the Raiders (2-3), even in some similar losses, have proved to have a capable offense more often. Seneca Valley 28-24

Pyda — A season that started with much promise has evaporated into a three-game losing streak. If the Raiders are to retain any realistic hope of making the playoffs, they have to defeat the Blue Devils. Seneca Valley 24-13

Scoop — Desperation is part of both teams right now. Give me the home team. Seneca Valley 35-14

Freeport at Valley

Merda Adams — Freeport 35-14

Pyda — Freeport 33-12

Scoop — Freeport 41-16

Burrell at Knoch

Merda Adams — Burrell 27-14

Pyda — Burrell 31-10

Scoop — Burrell 28-14

Deer Lakes at North Catholic

Merda Adams — North Catholic 35-31

Pyda — North Catholic 48-35