Week 4 PIAA football picks | Can Butler win in Ohio? And who wins Freeport vs North Catholic?

Jake Merda Adams and Derek Pyda

September 17, 2026 Last Updated: September 16, 2026 07:22 PM Sports

Freeport's Danny King (8) takes the Yellowjackets into North Catholic territory this week looking to improve to 4-0. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

League play is ramping up across Butler County, with Freeport visiting North Catholic in Week 4 of the PIAA football season looking to go 4-0 and start WPIAL section play off right.

But can the winless Trojans spoil the night? And what about the area’s other four undefeated teams? Will they make it to 4-0?

We’ve got our picks for all of this week’s games below, including analysis for a handful of the matchups. Follow along at butlereagle.com Friday for live updates, scores and highlights from every game.

Standings

Derek Pyda — 24-5 (8-3 last week)

Scoop — 24-5 (9-2)

Jake Merda Adams — 22-7 (8-3)

Week 4

All games are Friday night unless otherwise indicated.

Butler at Austintown Fitch (Ohio), 7

Merda Adams — The Tornado (3-0) defense will have to key in on senior quarterback Collin Kalaher, who has shown early he can run and throw at a high rate. The Falcons are the equivalent of a 6A team in PA, presenting the toughest test yet for Butler. Austintown Fitch 37-22

Pyda — Falcons QB Collin Kalaher (790 passing yards and eight TDs through three weeks) and his stable of receivers will be too much for the Tornado defense. Austintown Fitch 42-16

Scoop — Butler has allowed just 14 points in three games, but it will be facing a different kind of test this week, on the road to boot. Austintown Fitch 40-13

Freeport at North Catholic, 7

Merda Adams — The 0-3 Trojans’ defense is allowing 36.3 points a game. That’s a recipe for disaster against this undefeated Yellowjackets offense led by QB Danny King’s impressive first three starts. Freeport 42-28

Pyda — The Trojans usually have Freeport's number, but the ’Jackets are 3-0 and North is 0-3. I’m riding with the hot hand. Freeport 27-20

Scoop — North Catholic’s defense has struggled against good teams. Now, the offense has hit the skids, too? Freeport 24-10

Saint Marys at Karns City, 7

Merda Adams — The Flying Dutch (1-2) are not high-flying on the ground, averaging just 3.1 yards a carry and 93.7 a game. Their only real success came in a 34-0 win over Moniteau in Week 2. The Gremlins (3-0) should feast in this matchup. Karns City 49-8

Pyda — Some may see this as a trap game for the Gremlins. I see it as a painful road trip for the Dutch. Karns City 47-6

Scoop — These two teams may be in the same region in District 9, but that’s the only way the Dutch can claim to be in the same league as KC. Karns City 53-7

Moniteau at Bucktail, 7

Merda Adams — The Warriors (0-3) ended a scoreless drought last week, but the defense has really struggled. The Bucks (0-2) have lost two closer games, and running back Stephen Heiser (31 carries, 192 yards) could test Moniteau’s D. Bucktail 30-20

Pyda — Speaking of road trips, the Warriors have a long one to Clinton County, but it will yield the team’s first win of 2026. Moniteau 25-14

Scoop — An 0-3 start has dimmed Moniteau’s playoff hopes. The Warriors are desperate for a victory, and that will work in their favor. Moniteau 29-18

Highlands at Knoch, 7

Merda Adams — Consider this a “prove it” game for the Knights (3-0). The start has been good, but now comes a real test against a perennial Class 3A playoff team in their own conference. Beat the Golden Rams (2-1), and expectations grow significantly. Highlands 42-35

Pyda — Knoch allowed nearly 400 rushing yards to McGuffey in Week 2, though the Knights still found a way to win. Highlands features running back Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg, who has rushed for over 600 yards and scored 13 total TDs in just three games. I can’t bet against talent like that. Highlands 40-21

Scoop — The Knights’ first Allegheny 7 Conference game of the season will not go well for Knoch. Highlands 30-13

Mars at Hampton, 7

Merda Adams — Mars 35-24

Pyda — Mars 24-21

Scoop — Mars 37-17

Seneca Valley at Canon-McMillan, 7

Merda Adams — Canon-McMillan 31-24

Pyda — Seneca Valley 28-17

Scoop — Seneca Valley 22-7

Iroquois at Slippery Rock, 7 p.m. Saturday

Merda Adams — Slippery Rock 35-27

Pyda — Slippery Rock 33-16