Week 10 PIAA football picks | Can Moniteau pull off a major upset, and does Butler cap another winning season?

Jake Merda Adams and Derek Pyda

October 29, 2026 Last Updated: October 28, 2026 11:09 PM Sports

Butler's Kevin Shriver (7) gets a sack against Baldwin in a football game Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Butler's Art Bernardi Stadium. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle

Welcome to the final week of the regular season (for most teams).

For Moniteau, the District 9 postseason is here with a big game at Clarion University. For Butler, a chance at another winning record is in play. And there are two Butler County teams still fighting for a WPIAL and District 9 playoff spot.

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

Scoop — 76-15 (10-1 last week)

Derek Pyda — 74-17 (10-1)

Jake Merda Adams — 71-20 (10-1)

Week 10

All games are Friday night unless otherwise indicated.

Brashear at Butler, 7

Merda Adams — I never doubted the Tornado (5-4) would get one last game for the seniors. Now with Nash Cuffman back, this group should be too much for the Bulls to handle and Butler will follow a 7-3 season by going 6-4. Butler 34-10

Pyda — Brashear’s four victories have come against teams with a combined four wins. The Golden Tornado will finish with a winning record for the second straight season. Butler 35-14

Scoop — In an up-and-down season, the Golden Tornado will close 2026 on a high note. Butler 37-16

Moniteau vs. Central Clarion, 7

District 9 Class 2A semifinal, at Clarion U.

Merda Adams — It’s been a heckuva climb for the Warriors (4-5) the past two years to end this eight-year playoff drought. They are heavy underdogs, though, against the Wildcats (5-4). The hope is this is the next step for a program that hopes to be playoff relevant again soon. Central Clarion 56-7

Pyda — The Warriors took another step forward this year, but this is a very tough matchup for them. Central Clarion has accounted for Karns City’s lone loss this season. Central Clarion 42-16

Scoop — The Wildcats were 1-3 in mid-September but have played much better football since then. Central Clarion 44-8

Knoch at Deer Lakes, 7

Merda Adams — The Knights (5-4) maybe don’t need as much help as I originally thought to make it as a wildcard. It’s still not a given. Knoch gets the win over the Lancers (2-7) with QB Max Wiley back, and then it must cross its fingers. Knoch 30-23

Pyda — A win for the Knights would move them to 6-4 on the season and make them an attractive choice for one of four wildcard playoff spots. Knoch 22-20

Scoop — I’ve been really impressed with this defense the Knights have been throwing at opponents. Knoch 25-13

North Catholic at Highlands, 7

Merda Adams — This conference has been an amazing success in one year. I think Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg is going to eat against this Trojans (6-3) defense, but Will Waskiewicz & Co. can hang in a shootout against the Golden Rams (7-2). North Catholic 41-37

Pyda — The Trojans will not let a chance at earning the Allegheny 7 Conference all for themselves slip away. North Catholic 38-33

Scoop — North worked out its kinks during three non-conference losses to start the season. The Trojans will close the Allegheny 7 slate in style. North Catholic 30-27

Sharpsville at Union/A-C Valley, 7 p.m. Thursday in Foxburg

Merda Adams — It’s must-win territory for the Falcon Knights (4-5), unless the school districts decide to opt the team into the District 9 playoffs despite having a losing record. It’s all going to fall on the speedy legs of Parker Bish against the Blue Devils (6-3). Sharpsville 33-27

Pyda — The Falcon Knights close the regular season with three straight victories. Union/A-C Valley 29-21

Scoop — It’s been a trying season for the young Falcon Knights. A win would move them to .500 and guarantee them a playoff spot. Union/A-C Valley 17-14

Karns City at Oil City, 7

Merda Adams — Karns City 35-14

Pyda — Oil City 25-21

Scoop — Karns City 30-26

Burrell at Freeport, 7

Merda Adams — Freeport 34-13

Pyda — Freeport 31-10

Scoop — Freeport 28-27

Mars at Central Valley, 7

Merda Adams — Central Valley 24-17

Pyda — Central Valley 33-27

Scoop — Central Valley 27-17