Week 2 football picks: Can Butler, Moniteau, Karns City and Mars start 2-0? Do Slippery Rock, others rebounds?
This week has felt a little more like fall.
Temperatures in the 60s and low-70s. A breeze. Chilly mornings. Smells like football.
Week 2 of the PIAA high school football season comes on the heals of an entertaining opening week that saw Butler win in overtime and Moniteau snap an 18-game losing streak. What’s in store this week? The Butler Eagle sports staff and Scoop can tell you the future with this week’s predictions.
As with last year, sports editor Jake Merda Adams, reporters Derek Pyda and Brendan Howe, and Scoop will predict the winner and score of each local game. We’ll add additional analysis for five of those games. And we’ll discuss these games every Thursday on Alter Eagle’s “Eye On Sports,” wherever you get your podcasts.
Here are our picks and analysis for Week 2:
Brendan Howe — 9-2
Scoop — 8-3
Derek Pyda — 7-4
Jake Merda Adams — 7-4
Redbank Valley at Union/A-C Valley, 7
Merda Adams — Redbank Valley 35, Union/A-C Valley 26
Pyda — Union/A-C Valley 34, Redbank Valley 28
Howe — Redbank Valley 24, Union/A-C Valley 16
Scoop — Redbank Valley 40, Union/A-C Valley 12
Brashear at Butler, 7
Merda Adams — Butler won consecutive games just once last year to briefly get above .500. Can they start the year a perfect 2-0? Feels likely. Butler 40, Brashear 20
Pyda — Brashear allowed 35 points last week in a loss to Class 1A Cornell. If Butler avoids mistakes, this will not be close. Butler 31, Brashear 6
Howe — Butler went toe-to-toe with a Class 5A WPIAL opponent last week. A promising sign as the program aims to make strides. I’m taking the Golden Tornado to win two in a row. Butler 28, Brashear 8
Scoop — Butler’s defense continues to force turnovers against the Bulls. Butler 26, Brashear 14
Derry at Freeport, 7
Merda Adams — Are the Yellowjackets more like the first-half version we saw last week or the second-half version? Saying the latter. Amos Glenn puts up another big game and pushes 200 yards. Freeport 35, Derry 14
Pyda — Freeport lost its focus in a defeat to the Trojans last year. There won’t be a repeat performance. Freeport 28, Derry 7
Howe — Glenn is no longer a secret after his showing last year. Even so, Derry won’t have an answer for him. Freeport 42, Derry 13
Scoop — Freeport won last week despite a slow start. The ’Jackets will be fast out of the gate this time. Freeport 41, Derry 15
Brookville at Karns City, 7
Merda Adams — The Gremlins are starting the season by bullying teams. This one won’t be close. Karns City 55, Brookville 7
Pyda — Just a couple of years ago, this was one of the best matchups in District 9. Now, it’s lopsided in the Gremlins’ favor. Karns City 44, Brookville 14
Howe — Karns City is playing at home, which means a whole lot of trouble for Brookville. Karns City 32, Brookville 6
Scoop — KC’s home opener at Diehl Stadium means a frustrating night for the Raiders. Karns City 36, Brookville 13
Knoch at North Catholic, 7
Merda Adams — I was a little higher on the Knights heading into Week 1. After that loss to Kiski Area, this local matchup feels like it’ll be tougher for Knoch than I would’ve expected a few weeks ago. North Catholic 35, Knoch 7
Pyda — The Knights were shut out last week, and I don’t see them scoring enough to stay with a loaded North roster. North Catholic 35, Knoch 14
Howe — Knoch was blanked in its opener. I think they get on the board this time, but North Catholic has too much firepower to overcome. North Catholic 49, Knoch 13
Scoop — This offense for the Trojans may be better than last year, and that’s saying something. North Catholic 30, Knoch 14
Moniteau at Port Allegany, 7
Merda Adams — A wonderful way for the Warriors to welcome the 2025 season. But wins won’t come that easily every week, and the Gators are one of District 9’s top teams. Port Allegany 42, Moniteau 7
Pyda — The Warriors surprised a lot of people when they snapped an 18-game losing skid with last week’s win over Coudersport. Win No. 2 will have to wait another week. Port Allegany 36, Moniteau 7
Howe — There are better ways to follow a season-opening win. Port Allegany is a consistent contender. Moniteau will take note. Port Allegany 28, Moniteau 0
Scoop — The Gators played in the state championship game last year, and will be too much for the Warriors. Port Allegany 32, Moniteau 8
Mars at Bethel Park, 7
Merda Adams — Bethel Park 24, Mars 21
Pyda — Bethel Park 37, Mars 31
Howe — Bethel Park 35, Mars 28
Scoop — Bethel Park 35, Mars 17
North Hills at Seneca Valley, 7
Merda Adams — Seneca Valley 28, North Hills 21
Pyda — Seneca Valley 33, North Hills 17
Howe — Seneca Valley 28, North Hills 10
Scoop — Seneca Valley 37, North Hills 10
Summit Academy at New Brighton, 7
Merda Adams — New Brighton 37, Summit Academy 21
Pyda — New Brighton 22, Summit Academy 8
Howe — Summit Academy 27, New Brighton 26
Scoop — New Brighton 24, Summit Academy 22
Slippery Rock at Franklin, 7
Merda Adams — Slippery Rock 28, Franklin 20
Pyda — Slippery Rock 29, Franklin 16
Howe — Slippery Rock 24, Franklin 16
Scoop — Slippery Rock 14, Franklin 10
