We started with 11 high school football teams, five of which reached the postseason and now, we're down to one.

After a very good second half of the season, I stumbled last week, managing a 3-2 record, which is not good.

The playoffs bring with them a finality for teams that lose, a harsh halt to the season with no cushion to soften the blow. I am not there yet, but realize my picks are numbered this late in the season.

There's just one game to break down, so I get to be a little more in depth about both teams.

Mars vs. Central Valley — I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Mars is the last high school football team from Butler County still standing.

The Planets are 9-2 and their two losses, against two very good teams in Montour and Moon, have come by a combined 12 points.

With last year's starting quarterback, Eric Kasperowicz, unable to play the position this fall due to shoulder surgery, the Planets turned to junior Luke Goodworth, who responded by breaking Mars' single-season record for passing yards.

Evan Wright has been nothing short of phenomenal in the ground game and the defense has picked up its play since last year, when Mars lost its first playoff game and finished 6-5.

Unlike the Planets, Central Valley is used to deep playoff runs. The Warriors have a dual-threat at quarterback and have surpassed 3,000 rushing yards on the season.

Central Valley and Aliquippa are Parkway Conference foes, so they lock horns at least once every season, sometimes twice if and when they meet in the playoffs. The Quips defeated the Warriors, 27-17, recently. When a team loses by just 10 points to Aliquippa, you know it must be a very strong squad.

I've been proven wrong before, but I see a great game playing out in Ambridge come Friday night.

There will be several lead changes and impressive efforts on both sides, but one very talented team will be forced to close the book on 2023.

Score: Central Valley 27-23

Scoop is 86-24 on the season