An early start to the District 9 football playoffs has forced a change of plans for Butler’s final game of the season.

Out is Central Clarion. In is Brashear. The Golden Tornado (5-4) will host the Bulls (4-5) on Friday night.

Central Clarion (5-4) had to cancel the matchup because it is hosting Moniteau in the first round of the District 9 Class 2A playoffs Friday at Clarion University.

Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said the team and department started contacting other schools to find an opponent last week but struggled to land a matchup until Monday afternoon. Brashear was one of those teams contacted last week.

“We knew Brashear was a possibility, or someone from the (City League),” which begins its playoffs this week, Mylan said. “We had already reached out to Brashear (last week).”

District 9 released the brackets Monday evening. It is Moniteau’s first playoff appearance since 2018.

No. 3 Moniteau (4-5) will face the No. 2 Vikings in the semifinal. The winner takes on top seed Karns City at a neutral site next week. The Gremlins are keeping their Week 10 regular season opponent, Oil City, per AD Chris Bellis.