High school football Week 5 picks: Punxsutawney vs. Karns City, Butler and Mars look to rebound
Mars football has a knack for playing in games that are decided at the wire. Karns City still owns its neighbors to the northwest. And North Catholic’s offense looks nigh unstoppable.
Those are the reactions after four weeks of PIAA high school football season. How will things change once the halfway point of the season is reached?
There are 11 games on the calendar this week as every team is not in the think of league play, trying to make the playoffs or seeking their first win.
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Merda Adams, reporters Derek Pyda and Brendan Howe, and Scoop predict the winner and score of each local game this week, plus additional analysis for five of those games. Listen to this week’s “Eye On Sports” podcast wherever you get your podcasts for even more of a breakdown.
Here are our picks and analysis for Week 5:
Brendan Howe — 33-9 (6-4 last week)
Derek Pyda — 33-9 (8-2)
Jake Merda Adams — 33-9 (8-2)
Scoop — 32-10 (6-4)
Westinghouse at Butler, 7
Merda Adams — The 4-0 Bulldogs have played good football and also have a win over Brashear like the Tornado (3-1) do, but Butler’s depth should be too much in this big-vs.-small matchup. Butler 42, Westinghouse 30
Pyda — These teams met last year, with the Bulldogs winning 28-17. I believe the Tornado have closed the gap. Butler 30, Westinghouse 27
Howe — The Golden Tornado do have a numbers advantage. This is a tough one to choose. Butler 31, Westinghouse 21
Scoop — I picked the Tornado to stay unbeaten last week and paid for it. Am I off Butler’s bandwagon? Heck no, I’m driving it. Butler 25, Westinghouse 20
Punxsutawney at Karns City, 7
Merda Adams — The Gremlins (3-1) got pushed by DuBois’ passing game in Week 3. But the 4-0 Chucks’ offense — QB Maddox Hetrick is 27 of 47 for 604 yards and five TDs in three games on MaxPreps — isn’t quite as electric, and that should keep KC in this one. Karns City 47, Punxsutawney 39
Pyda — Stop Punxsy RB Jordan Rutan and keep the rock away from the Chucks’ ball-hawking defense. The Gremlins will survive. Karns City 32, Punxsutawney 28
Howe — Hunter Scherer, Owen Heginbotham and the rest of the Karns City offense are back humming. Karns City 35, Punxsutawney 21
Scoop — These foes will meet again in October. The Gremlins win Round 1. Karns City 23, Punxsutawney 21
Mars at Montour, 7
Merda Adams — The Planets (3-1) defense has been borderline elite. Now comes another stiff test with QB Brandon Bennett and RB Caden Halajcio leading a talented Spartans (3-1) offense. Mars 21, Montour 17
Pyda — The Planets have scored a total of 36 points in the last three games. The offense gets back on track against the Spartans. Mars 33, Montour 14
Howe — Mars’ offense was held in check against Aliquippa. Even if it is again this week, the Planets’ defense hasn’t allowed more than 19 points in any of its outings this season. Mars wins close. Mars 20, Montour 19
Scoop — Mars suffered its first loss of the season last week. It won’t turn into a streak. Mars 18, Montour 13
Slippery Rock at Sharpsville, 7
Merda Adams — The Rockets (1-3) struggled to hang in the second half last week. They should have the upper hand against the Blue Devils (0-4). Slippery Rock 27, Sharpsville 21
Pyda — The Blue Devils have a running back named Geno Currie who is averaging almost 150 yards per game. Sharpsville 24, Slippery Rock 17
Howe — Sharpsville’s given up an average of 47.3 points per game over its past three. One word: yikes. Slippery Rock 24, Sharpsville 7
Scoop — The Rockets have had trouble holding onto leads. Not this week. Slippery Rock 30, Sharpsville 21
Union/A-C Valley at Ridgway, 7
Merda Adams — Man, this Falcon Knights team (4-0) plays good, complementary football. Max Gallagher & Co. can take advantage of an Elkers (1-3) defense giving up 24 points a game. Union/A-C Valley 32, Ridgway 22
Pyda — Teams on a roll are susceptible to a letdown. It won’t happen for the Falcon Knights this week. Union/A-C Valley 31, Ridgway 11
Howe — I’ll make up for my mistake of not choosing Union/A-C Valley last week by picking it here. Union/A-C Valley 28, Ridgway 7
Scoop — I learned something this week: Falcon Knights can’t fly. But they sure can ground and pound. Union/A-C Valley 40, Ridgway 22
Freeport at Burrell, 7
Merda Adams — Freeport 49, Burrell 16
Pyda — Freeport 43, Burrell 8
Howe — Freeport 35, Burrell 8
Scoop — Freeport 24, Burrell 0
New Castle at Knoch, 7
Merda Adams — New Castle 41, Knoch 13
Pyda — New Castle 43, Knoch 12
Howe — New Castle 39, Knoch 6
Scoop — New Castle 34, Knoch 14
Moniteau at Keystone, 7
Merda Adams — Keystone 35, Moniteau 14
Pyda — Keystone 28, Moniteau 10
Howe — Keystone 28, Moniteau 12
Scoop — Keystone 38, Moniteau 18
McGuffey at North Catholic, 7
Merda Adams — North Catholic 64, McGuffey 21
Pyda — North Catholic 55, McGuffey 7
Howe — North Catholic 40, McGuffey 13
Scoop — North Catholic 58, McGuffey 8
Seneca Valley at Moon, 7
Merda Adams — Moon 35, Seneca Valley 27
Pyda — Moon 35, Seneca Valley 23
Howe — Moon 28, Seneca Valley 26
Scoop — Moon 27, Seneca Valley 20
Summit Academy at Serra Catholic, 7
Merda Adams — Serra Catholic 24, Summit Academy 20
Pyda — Serra Catholic 24, Summit Academy 22
Howe — Serra Catholic 35, Summit Academy 14
Scoop — Serra Catholic 24, Summit Academy 22
