Now that we’ve reached the final weekend of the high school football season, a question comes to mind.

If we had such an award — and we don’t — for a Butler County area football MVP, who would receive it?

With eight or nine area teams heading for the playoffs, there are certainly plenty of candidates.

Though no easy task, here are the final five candidates on my list. It’s an exclusive list when one considers names like Forrest Barnes, Ethan Pry, Dustin Geagan, Ky Kenyon and Taylor Smith aren’t on it.

Fourth runner-up: Wes Phipps, running back, Grove City — The defending Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy winner is in line to win that honor again. He entered Friday’s action with 1,001 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing on only 84 carries.The Eagles are a team loaded with weapons, however. Even without him, this team probably heads to the playoffs.

Third runner-up: Damon Smith, running back, Freeport — The Yellowjackets are back in the playoffs and quarterback Brendan Lynch has been solid, but this kid has been a rock in an offense that loves to run the football.Smith has 174 carries for 1,010 yards and 15 touchdowns — and will be needed in this weekend’s game at Summit Academy.

Second runner-up: Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin, running back, Knoch — Yes, the Knights have plenty of weapons, but he may be the most reliable.Rumburg-Goodlin entered Friday’s home game with Mars sporting 1,092 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on 121 carries. He still had a shot at the scoring trophy, which speaks volumes for his productivity in an offense that runs and throws the football so well.

First runner-up: Jordan Brown, quarterback, Seneca Valley — He’s leading the WPIAL in passing and has put together big games running the football, as well.Brown has completed an impressive 114 of 181 passes for 1,549 yards this season in leading the Raiders into the playoffs out of the strong Northern Seven Conference.He has weapons around him, to be sure, but he’s the guy who makes this high-powered offense go.

Butler County MVP: Kyle Armagost, quarterback, Moniteau — His numbers are impressive enough, but this kid never comes off the field.He returns punts and kickoffs. He has 50 solo tackles and three interceptions on defense.Armagost has thrown for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 871 yards and 14 more TDs.Yes, there is plenty of talent around him. No one guy can make a team go undefeated. Moniteau has its most talented team in quite a while.But Armagost is the heart and soul of this unit. When he injured his knee a few weeks ago, the program collectively held its breath until finding out he was good to go.The Warriors are one of the favorites to win the program’s first District 9 championship. Without Armagost, they’re not.