It's Week 9. It's put-up or shut-up time.

This is what high school football is all about: playoff spots, pride, glory — even a traveling trophy — are on the line.

There are only eight games to pick this week because several Butler County area teams are squaring off against each other.

Perhaps no backyard brawl is bigger than Mars vs. Knoch.

Who would have thought that five weeks ago when the Fightin' Planets were bruising people and the Knights were being slain by dragons?

But, here were are in magical Week 9 and the Mars-Knoch tilt has a potential Greater Allegheny Conference title hanging in the balance.

Other Hatfield and McCoy battles are: Seneca Valley vs. Butler, Karns City vs. A-C Valley and Freeport vs. Summit Academy.

On to the picks:

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Mars 18, Knoch 16 — It's hard to go against the Knights in this one. A few lineup adjustments have led to three wins in a row.Jake McTighe now is a do-everything guy for Knoch and unheralded younger players have filled in for injured teammates admirably.But Mars is, well, Mars — unspectacular, yes; mistake-prone, no.The Planets won't beat themselves and will eke out a win over a game Knoch team.•

Seneca Valley 26, Butler 7 — The Butler Eagle Traveling Trophy is at stake.The Raiders have won it two years in a row and will face a Golden Tornado team ravaged by injuries.Seneca Valley will keep the trophy for the third consecutive season.•

Karns City 54, A-C Valley 6 — I hesitate to predict the outcome of such a lopsided contest. Karns City coach Ed Conto once coached at A-C Valley and isn't one to kick a team when it's down.The Gremlins might not win by 48, but they will win handily.•

Moniteau 31, Redbank Valley 19 — The Warriors are coming off a big win over rival Karns City that clinched a spot in the playoffs, so this could be a trap game.Moniteau might struggle early, but record-setting back James Shope and company will put Redbank Valley away late in this one.•

Wilmington 41, Slippery Rock 7 — These teams met in the District 10 title game last season with the eventual state champion Greyhounds edging the Rockets 21-14 in an overtime thriller.The Rockets have a penchant for playing Wilmington tough, but the Greyhounds are rolling and Slippery Rock is scuffling.Not a good mix.•

Freeport 20, Summit Academy 6 — This should be win No. 501 for the Yellowjackets, but it doesn't come easily against a staunch Knights defense.•

Union 19, Clarion-Limestone 18 — Union keeps its dim playoff hopes alive by edging C-L.•

Grove City 34, Warren 12 — If things don't go well in the first half for the Eagles, they'll just change into a different colored jersey at halftime.Hey. It worked last week.Scoop went 8-3 last week and is 69-21 this season.