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Old times return with Mars-Butler football clash

This week is all about old friends.

For the first time since 1943, the Butler and Mars football teams will meet on the same field.

Geez, that's a long time. In 1943 I wasn't even an endangered species yet.

The last time Mars defeated Butler in football was 1926.

Of course, the fates of the two programs are a lot different these days.

It's been a long time since things were this dire for the Golden Tornado. In the Planets' universe, things are pretty hunky-dory after a Week 1 upset loss to Montour.

Things are pretty hunky-dory in Scoopville as well. I was 10-0 last week, running my season record to 56-13.

On to the picks:

Mars 19, Butler 9 — Sure, the Planets are a Class AAA team, but they play like a Quad-A one. Butler is still searching and building.•

Knoch 31, Kittanning 10 — The Wildcats are no match for the runnin' Knights.Knoch has a dude nicknamed "The Moose" (Adam Tuzikow). It has a dude so good he needs two last names (Adam Rumburg-Goodlin). It has a dude with mad alliteration (Ky Kenyon).How can you stop that?Dare we call them a Jugger-Knoch?•

Freeport 23, Deer Lakes 6 — The Yellowjackets are a lunchpail kind of team — they just show up, roll up their sleeves and get the job done.They will again.•

Brookville 25, Karns City 21 — The young Gremlins linebackers are starting to mesh, but the Raiders have too many weapons on offense.•

Punxsutawney 34, Moniteau 19 — The Warriors will be 0-4 in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference-Big should they lose this one.No matter. Conference record means little in Class AA in the KSAC. The Warriors will make the playoffs.•

Union 23, Keystone 18 — Chalk up another win for the Golden Knights.•

Clarion 35, A-C Valley 7 — The Falcons had two weeks to prepare for Clarion.Clarion, though, is too talented to suffer an upset.•

Hickory 45, Slippery Rock 17 — The Rockets' poor defense continues to haunt them.Hickory's offense is another potent test for Slippery Rock.•

Grove City 23, Oil City 16 — In the "Battle of the Undefeated Cities," the team from Grove City has proved time and time again that it's for real.Defense is the difference in this game. Isn't defense the difference in every game?•

Summit Academy 22, Burrell 20 — After a couple of disappointing losses, the Knights will bounce back.•

Shaler 36, Seneca Valley 26 — Quarterback Jordan Brown and the Raiders can put points on the scoreboard.So can Shaler.Scoop is No. 1 on the Mascot Power Rankings.

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