Week 5 PIAA football picks | Will Knoch or Freeport win? Can Butler bounce back? Can Karns City make it 5-0?
Butler County football was handed a shakeup last week.
Four of the five undefeated teams lost. North Catholic handed Freeport a defeat that sent an early statement in the Allegheny 7 Conference, and Mars and Moniteau got their first wins. Will things settle back down in Week 5 of the PIAA football season?
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.
Derek Pyda — 32-7 (8-2 last week)
Scoop — 32-7 (8-2)
Jake Merda Adams — 29-10 (7-3)
All games are Friday night unless otherwise indicated.
Hickory at Butler, 7
Merda Adams — After last week’s visit to Austintown Fitch, being at home against a Hornets team (3-1) that lost to Westinghouse will feel like a whole different kind of game. The Tornado (3-1) defense needs to slow running back Kelvin Morrison. Butler 35-14
Pyda — QB Christian Dungee is the player who the Golden Tornado defense has to key on. He’s tallied 751 yards and 12 TDs between rushing and passing. Receiver Jadon Phillips has caught 21 passes for 354 yards and seven scores. Hickory 28-17
Scoop — A win over the District 10 power Hornets would be a huge boost for Butler’s program. Butler 26-23
Knoch at Freeport, 7
Merda Adams — The Yellowjackets’ (3-1) defense got exposed last week against pass-happy North Catholic, and the Knights (3-1) can also chuck the ball, even with receiver Roman DeFelice out for a while. Knoch 35-28
Pyda — The loss of Knoch receiver Roman DeFelice to injury a few weeks ago is a huge factor in me picking the Yellowjackets. Freeport 24-14
Scoop — The Yellowjackets’ defense will make a few more plays than Knoch to secure the Pike Trophy. Freeport 27-16
DuBois Area at Karns City, 7
Merda Adams — Yeah, not the most impressive win for the Gremlins (4-0) against a lesser opponent, but KC’s 174 points is 28 more than the next best team in District 9, Region 1 and nearly double the Beavers. KC will be up for this one. Karns City 35-14
Pyda — The Gremlins have dropped four straight in this series against the Beavers. The last three losses have come despite KC scoring 42, 43 and 36 points. It’s time for the Gremlins’ defense to rise up, and I believe it will just enough. Karns City 33-31
Scoop — These teams are used to playing shootouts against each other. KC’s passing game is flying high. Karns City 45-37
Coudersport at Moniteau, 7
Merda Adams — The Falcons (1-3) barely go to the air, which should make this defensive matchup a little easier on the Warriors (1-3). Early-season schedule seems to have toughened up the ’Teau for region play. Moniteau 27-20
Pyda — The Warriors’ ground game came to life last week as Moniteau won for the first time this season. Win No. 2 is imminent. Moniteau 25-20
Scoop — For the second straight season, the Falcons will leave Cherry Township disappointed. Moniteau 34-8
Slippery Rock at Greenville, 7
Merda Adams — Ya think the Trojans (4-0) have circled Aden Shay in bright red marker before this game? Greenville’s allowed less than seven points a game and is running all over teams. The Rockets (3-1) are in for a battle. Greenville 35-14
Pyda — This game will be decided on the ground, and the Trojans’ balance (four players who have totaled over 800 yards combined) will win out. Greenville 22-17
Scoop — With as well as Slippery Rock has played over the last three weeks, I hate making this pick. Greenville 28-15
Trinity at Mars, 7
Merda Adams — Trinity 41-21
Pyda — Mars 34-10
Scoop — Mars 35-20
North Catholic at Burrell, 7
Merda Adams — Burrell 47-41
Pyda — North Catholic 44-17
Scoop — North Catholic 30-27
Pittsburgh Central Catholic at Seneca Valley, 7
Merda Adams — Pittsburgh Central Catholic 48-14
Pyda — Pittsburgh Central Catholic 41-13
Scoop — Pittsburgh Central Catholic 36-10
Union/A-C Valley at Ridgway, 7
Merda Adams — Ridgway 43-20
Pyda — Ridgway 26-21
Scoop — Ridgway 19-16
Laurel at Summit Academy, 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Merda Adams — Laurel 48-6
Pyda — Laurel 37-6
Scoop — Laurel 40-8
