WPIAL, District 9 football playoff picks | Who we have winning Karns City, Freeport and other games
It’s time for the second season.
The PIAA football playoffs are in full swing officially now, with action kicking off in WPIAL and District 9. Four Butler County teams are still standing, with Karns City trying to repeat as district champion.
We’ve got our picks for all of this week’s games below, including analysis. Follow along at butlereagle.com Friday for live updates, scores and highlights from every game.
All games are 7 p.m. Friday.
Scoop — 86-16 (10-1 last week)
Derek Pyda — 83-19 (9-2)
Jake Merda Adams — 80-22 (9-2)
Class 3A: No. 9 West Mifflin at No. 8 Freeport
Merda Adams — If Danny King keeps doing what Danny King does, the Yellowjackets (9-1) should be able to overcome another explosive Power Four running back (Armand Hill). The Titans (6-4) can go score-for-score, though, in this first-round clash. Freeport 31-23
Pyda — How's this for a stat? All six of the Titans' wins this season have come by shutout. None of those victories, however, have come against a team with Freeport's ability. Freeport 24-14
Scoop — You expect an 8 vs. 9 matchup to be close, and this one will be. I'm taking the home team. Freeport 23-19
Class 3A: No. 11 Beaver vs. No. 6 North Catholic
Merda Adams — The Trojans’ (7-3) pretty sound win over Highlands should put playoff teams on notice. The Bobcats (4-6) do not have nearly as dynamic a run game — and in fact average just 3.2 yards a carry — and starting QB Jaivin Peel is ineligible for the postseason. North Catholic 42-17
Pyda — Beaver had not won consecutive games all season until Weeks 9 and 10 when it defeated OLSH and Ellwood City, two teams that combined for just two victories all season. The Bobcats are allowing over 32 points per game this year, and that does not bode well when preparing to face a very balanced North Catholic offense. North Catholic 38-13
Scoop — Three non-conference losses to begin the season are why the Trojans, who ran the table in Allegheny 7 Conference play, had to settle for a No. 6 seed. They are a very capable and confident team. North Catholic 40-20
Class 2A final: No. 2 Central Clarion vs. No. 1 Karns City
Merda Adams — I talked about this in the bracket release video Saturday (go check it out on our socials), but the key to this one is QB Cole Johnston must be better than he was in the first meeting — 5 of 14, 46 yards, two interceptions. I think he’ll be much better, and the Gremlins (9-1) will win their second straight district title. Karns City 35-28
Pyda — The Wildcats handed KC its only loss of the season, 43-14, in early October. But with their season on the line, I'm not betting against the Gremlins with Johnston, Bryce Galan, Owen Kaufman and Co. seeking revenge. Karns City 41-17
Scoop — They say it's tough to beat a really good team twice in one season. That's the task facing the Wildcats, and I don't think they're up to it. Karns City 29-20
Class 1A: No. 7 Union/A-C Valley at No. 2 Brockway
Merda Adams — It’s going to fall on RB Parker Bish, like always, for these Falcon Knights (5-5) to keep them in this one. The defense has to find a way to slow down Rovers (8-2) QB Aiden Patton and WR Caleb Daugherty, who have connected 37 times for 720 yards and 11 TDs. Brockway 40-27
Pyda — The Rovers enter the postseason on an eight-game winning streak and with a balanced offense led by senior quarterback Patton (23 TDs, four INTs). Union/A-C Valley picked it up late in the season, winning its final three games to finish .500, but the run ends Friday. Brockway 30-15
Scoop — It's a young Falcon Knights team against a veteran-laden Rovers squad. Experience will win out. Brockway 34-16
