Scoop

Come Friday night, I won't be the only thing flying around here anymore.

Footballs will be filling the air as well. I've got to keep a watchful eye and not fly too low ... don't want to get picked off, you know.

So I'll keep my distance. A bird's eye view, if you will.

Anyway, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Scoop and when I'm not serving my duty as mascot of the Butler Eagle, I'm doubling as this publication's pugnacious pigskin prognosticator.

This is my second season and I'm hoping to improve upon my approximate 70 percent winning rate of a year ago.

So fly high and keep a watchful eye on these selections:

BUTLER at KISKI AREA — The Golden Tornado have arrived. Nine starters back on both sides of the ball facing a team that is almost as green as the grass. Look for Butler to make a statement early this season.

Butler, 36-14.SENECA VALLEY at NORWIN — This is a battle of two teams coming off tough seasons. I've got to give the edge to the home team, though the Raiders could win this one.

Norwin, 23-15.KNOCH at MONTOUR — No more Dick Butkus and ESPNcameras surrounding the Spartans this year. Montour needs to find some confidence after a 1-8 season, but an experienced Knoch team is a little too much to overcome in their opener.

Knoch, 18-13.KARNS CITY at ST. MARYS — The Gremlins got a little beaten up in preseason, but their numbers are up again. Their defense should take control in this contest.

Karns City, 18-6.MONITEAU at CLARION-LIMESTONE — Detect a trend here? Plenty of Butler County schools are hitting the road Friday night. The Warriors will take advantage of a Clarion-Limestone team plagued by early-season injuries.

Moniteau, 21-12.LAUREL at MARS — This may be the marquee game of the night, a critical Tri-County North match up right off the bat. Mars took a beating at Laurel last year, but the improved Planets should win a thriller this time.

Mars, 17-16.SLIPPERY ROCK at GROVECITY — You don't see neighboring rivals clash on a football field this early very often. Grove City has the better team, but the Rockets will keep it interesting.

Grove City, 31-18.SHADYSIDE ACADEMY at FREEPORT — The Yellowjackets are at home and have one of those high-powered passing attacks I was talking about. Keep your wings up and out of harm's way.

Freeport, 27-13.In other games, look for Clarion to defeat A-CValley 49-11, Cambridge Springs to bounce Union 21-10 and Summit Academy to handle Union-New Castle 27-11.Enjoy your game of choice.