Let me start off by giving some props to the Butler football team.

No team needed a win more than the Golden Tornado after enduring a dreadful 2010 campaign.

But plucky Butler got one, rallying from 14 points down against New Castle to win 24-14 Friday night.

I picked New Castle to win that game — it was my only loss out of 11.

But I’ll gladly take it to see the joy on the faces of the Butler players.

On to this week’s picks:

•

North Allegheny 36, Butler 12 — If the Golden Tornado can pull off an upset over the Tigers this week, well, I will never pick against them again.Ever.And a win here will make me believe coach Clyde Conti is a genius. I actually already believe that, but this would cement it.But ... NA is loaded.•

Seneca Valley 40, Fox Chapel 13 — Another big win for the Raiders, whose offense can be downright scary when it is clicking.•

Knoch 44, Albert Gallatin 3 — The Knights certainly got off to a good start last week, thumping Brashear.It will be more of the same this week.•

Pine-Richland 19, Mars 14 — It’s hard to figure out the Planets. They are young, but talented.It’s even harder to figure out the Rams, who got thumped last week by Mt. Lebanon.In this battle of enigmas, I have to go with the bigger school.•

Freeport 26, Quaker Valley 12 — The Yellowjackets always seem to play low-scoring, defensive games.They lost one last week, but they’ll find a way to score more points this week.

• Karns City 32, Redbank Valley 14 — The Gremlins sputtered on offense in the second half against Moniteau last week, but still nearly won the game.Karns City can do some good things on both sides of the ball. The Gremlins will get it done against Redbank.•

Moniteau 27, Clarion 12 — The Warriors overcame a slew of mistakes to beat Karns City last week and their offense is just scratching the surface.The defense, though, is just as impressive.•

Saegertown 24, Union 18 — The Golden Knights are close, oh so close. But Saegertown is a dangerous team.•

Punxsutawney 39, A-C Valley 6 — The Chucks are four times as big as the Falcons.In that situation, pick the bigger team every time.•

Franklin 24, Slippery Rock 19 — Franklin gave up 91 and 77 points in two games last season.It only seemed like the Rockets gave up that many points in a game in 2010.Both teams have struggled in the past. Slippery Rock will struggle a little more.•

Grove City 32, Corry 9 — A playoff rematch from last season is really no match this year.The Eagles will roll.•

South Fayette 34, Summit Academy 8 — It takes a few weeks every season to get a good gauge on what kind of team the Knights will be.Scoop is ready for some (more) football.