Week 9 PIAA football picks | Butler chases 5th win in Erie, and can Freeport upset Highlands?

Jake Merda Adams and Derek Pyda

October 22, 2026 Last Updated: October 21, 2026 06:34 PM Sports

Nick Suder (65) celebrates after Freeport's touchdown against Deer Lakes in a football game Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Freeport High School. Brandon Croney/Special to the Eagle

Boats will not be needed this week.

We’re back to dry football weather Friday night for the penultimate week of the regular 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

Scoop — 66-14 (9-1 last week)

Derek Pyda — 64-16 (7-3)

Jake Merda Adams — 61-19 (9-1)

Week 9

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

Butler at Erie, 6

Merda Adams — The long drive has me worried for the chances for the Tornado (4-4), but Erie’s offense has limped along and I don’t see Will Dunaway throwing another four picks on the road. Butler 30-27

Pyda — The Golden Tornado’s four losses (Austintown-Fitch, Hollidaysburg, Hickory and Karns City) have come against teams with a combined record of 25-5. Erie is 2-5 and has lost five straight games. Butler 39-22

Scoop — Butler still has a chance at a winning record for the second straight season. That’s motivation for the Golden Tornado. Butler 40-16

Freeport at Highlands

Merda Adams — The Yellowjackets (7-1) are going to have their hands full against the Golden Rams’ (7-1) all-time leading rusher in Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg, who just ran for 315 yards last week against Burrell. Freeport’s defense is going to have to be incredible. Highlands 32-28

Pyda — Who can have a bigger game for his team — Freeport’s dual-threat quarterback Danny King (1,642 total yards, 21 TDs) or Highlands’ outstanding running back Owen-Cratsenberg (2,027 rushing yards, 28 TDs)? Highlands 33-24

Scoop — Two more wins will hand the Allegheny 7 Conference title to the Golden Rams. Highlands 33-20

Port Allegany at Karns City

Merda Adams — That upset loss against Central Clarion is well in the Gremlins’ (7-1) rearview now. This offense is clicking again and should have no problem against a Gators team (4-3) that loves to go to the air with QB Brennan Fillhart (1,445 yards, 18 TDs). Karns City 42-13

Pyda — This could be KC’s last game before the playoffs. I see the Gremlins playing a solid game against a good Gators team. Karns City 30-19

Scoop — The Gremlins do not want to enter the playoffs on a sour note. Karns City 31-14

Knoch at Greensburg Salem

Merda Adams — Despite the Golden Lions’ 0-8 mark, this is not nearly the gimme it looks like for the Knights (4-4) The Lions lost by just three to Burrell and can chuck it — Braydon Miller has 60 catches for 818 yards and eight TDs. Knoch 28-24

Pyda — The Golden Lions are a paradox. They are winless despite having a QB in Brody Chismar who has passed for 1,976 yards and 18 TDs. He’ll put up impressive numbers, but the Knights get the win. Knoch 36-31

Scoop — The Knights’ faint playoff hopes need this non-conference victory. Knoch 25-23

St. Marys at Union/A-C Valley

Merda Adams — This is a gotta-have-it game for the Falcon Knights (3-5). The Flying Dutch do not boast a potent offense, and UACV’s Parker Bish is fresh off a 300-yard game. Union/A-C Valley 35-14

Pyda — Parker Bish goes off for the second straight week and the Falcon Knights’ defense shines. Union/A-C Valley 27-8

Scoop — The Falcon Knights have not won consecutive games all season. That changes Friday. Union/A-C Valley 34-21

Moniteau at Keystone

Merda Adams — Keystone 42-7

Pyda — Keystone 44-13

Scoop — Keystone 46-14

Mars at Montour

Merda Adams — Montour 42-20

Pyda — Montour 37-14

Scoop — Montour 28-10

North Catholic at Valley

Merda Adams — North Catholic 49-6