Teams will drop like flies over the next few weeks, and the mantra now simply becomes “survive and advance.”

Style points no longer matter. Neither do style wins in our Butler Eagle staff picks this week, as just four Butler County teams will play (Karns City has a bye). Here’s who sports editor Jake Merda Adams, reporters Derek Pyda and Brendan Howe, and Scoop predict to advance one more week.

Listen to this week’s “Eye On Sports” podcast wherever you get your podcasts for even more of a breakdown.

Brendan Howe — 81-24 (8-3 last week)

Jake Merda Adams — 80-25 (7-4)

Scoop — 79-26 (7-4)

Derek Pyda — 77-28 (8-3)

WPIAL 4A quarterfinals: No. 5 Mars at No. 4 Thomas Jefferson, 7

Merda Adams — I really want to pick the Planets in this one, because they’ve been so consistently good all year. TJ presents their own handful at running back, Tyler Eber (1,653 yards, 22 TDs) and a stout defense. I’ll stick with Mars, but barely. Mars 24, Thomas Jefferson 22

Pyda — This is a No. 5 seed playing a No. 4 seed. You expect a game like this to be close, and it will be. Thomas Jefferson 23, Mars 21

Howe — The Planets have an offensive facet the Jaguars don’t. Gabe Hein could wind up being the difference in this one. Mars 33, Thomas Jefferson 30

Scoop — Mars has offensive standouts in tailback Ayden Yocum and receiver Gabe Hein. Mars 27, Thomas Jefferson 25

WPIAL 3A first round: No. 9 Beaver at No. 8 Freeport, 7

Merda Adams — The Bobcats have more pop than their 5-5 record suggests, with Travis Clear one of the more productive (1,744 yards, 11 TDs) QBs in the WPIAL. But as long as Freeport’s top two of Amos Glenn and Drew Ross are healthy, this won’t be an upset. Freeport 37, Beaver 23

Pyda — Freeport needs to come up with its most impressive win of 2025 to keep its season alive. Beaver 30, Freeport 17

Howe — This pick hinges a lot on Ross’ health, but the Yellowjackets will get the pleasure of facing defending WPIAL champion Avonworth next week. Freeport 21, Beaver 14

Scoop — Freeport took its lumps in a loss to Imani Christian last week. This matchup is where those pay off. Freeport 28, Beaver 18

WPIAL 3A first round: No. 12 Burrell at No. 5 North Catholic, 7

Merda Adams — A very favorable matchup for the Trojans, getting a 4-6 Bucs side that is 0-5 against teams in the 4A playoff field. N.C. has beaten Hopewell and Beaver in close games. North Catholic 40, Burrell 21

Pyda — The road will get much tougher for the Trojans, but they’ll roll this week. North Catholic 42, Burrell 14

Howe — As long as Joe Felitsky and the Trojans’ attack can get off the ground, North Catholic will be moving on. North Catholic 42, Burrell 36

Scoop — North’s struggling defense gets a reprieve, and its offense has a huge night. North Catholic 52, Burrell 10

D9 1A quarterfinal: No. 7 Cameron County at No. 2 Union/A-C Valley, 7

Merda Adams — A rematch of a Week 4 game the Falcon Knights won handily 36-12. Not putting too much thought into this, as U/ACV has bigger games ahead. Union/A-C Valley 41, Cameron County 17

Pyda — As long as the Falcon Knights remain focused on the task at hand, they’ll send the Raiders packing. Union/A-C Valley 35, Cameron County 14

Howe — It’s not fun tackling in cold weather. The Raiders won’t wanna deal with Max Gallagher and Logan Skibinski for 48 minutes. Union/A-C Valley 28, Cameron County 7

Scoop — Logan Skibinski and Max Gallagher ran over and through this defense for 282 yards and four TDs back in September. Expect more of the same. Union/A-C Valley 37, Cameron County 13