It finally feels like summer and it's almost fall.

That can only mean one thing: pass the pigskin.

High school football returns Friday night, when plenty of questions will begin to be answered, one by one, week by week.

Here are just a few of the questions swirling around my brain:

•

Will Butler end its 11-year playoff drought?It's hard to believe the Golden Tornado haven't been to the WPIAL playoffs since 1998.Before Butler can get to the playoffs, it has to win a section game. The Tornado have gone winless in that department the past two seasons.This is Jeff McAnallen's third season and the third season for starting quarterback Cole Harvey. With experienced skilled players and a veteran offensive line, Butler has the tools to run McAnallen's misdirection, ball-control offense.You can't win if you don't have the ball — and Butler's offense plans to play keep-away.If the first section win comes early — and it needs to for the Tornado to get past that mental hurdle — this team will be playoff bound.'•

Just how strong is Moniteau?Very strong. The Warriors are big and physical on defense and they return a 1,000-yard running back and a 1,000-yard receiver.If their quarterback situation, which could involve two versatile athletes splitting time, works out, Moniteau again will challenge for its first District 9 title.•

Will Karns City overcome the graduation loss of nearly all of its starters?Karns City is, after all, Karns City. Sometimes it seems like this program can overcome anything.This is one of the years the Gremlins' system will be tested. And it usually passes.It's doubtful Karns City will win the KSAC. It's probable the Gremlins will get into the district playoffs.•

Will new head coaches make a difference at Union and A-C Valley?Not right away. These two programs are up against it in terms of the number of players — they just don't have that many.Physical strength is a factor, too, as is the belief that they can win. So much of high school football is built on that confidence.Expecting you're going to win — even knowing you're going to win, in some cases — is far different from hoping to win.•

Who will be the surprise player of the year in Butler County?The guess here is Knoch quarterback Jake McTighe.Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Tim McNerney and a bunch of other veteran players are gone. This is McTighe's team now and he's playing a position from which he can be a true leader.If the Knights win, he'll be a big reason why.•

Who will win the Eagle Scoring Trophy?Moniteau's James Shope is a viable candidate, but the Warriors will spread the ball around quite a bit. Running back Austin Miele of Mars is my choice.The Planets run the football and anchor their ground game with their most productive back. He's the guy.John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.