Keys to the game, predictions for Westinghouse-Karns City and Hopewell-North Catholic football playoff games
Just two Butler County football teams are left in the second week of the playoffs: Karns City and North Catholic.
The Gremlins are trying to advance to the PIAA Class 2A tournament with a subregional win over undefeated Westinghouse, while the Trojans head into a 6-vs.-3 matchup against Hopewell eyeing a berth in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals next week.
Both games are 7 p.m. Friday. Here’s a breakdown of each matchup and our predictions:
Scoop — 89-17 (3-1 last week)
Derek Pyda — 86-20 (3-1)
Jake Merda Adams — 83-23 (3-1)
PIAA Class 2A subregional, at Cupples Stadium, 7 p.m.
Keys to the game: The City League champion Bulldogs haven’t scored fewer than 35 points in any game since their opener, including an 81-14 win over Brashear and a 66-22 victory over Taylor Allderdice.
The Gremlins are no slouches either. Joe Sherwin’s squad has proven to be able to go toe-to-toe with whoever’s put in front of it, beating a Class 6A team in Butler, a perennial 1A power in Port Allegany and, last week, getting some payback against Central Clarion to claim a District 9 crown.
Quarterback Cole Johnston needs to be a force for Karns City in this one as the dynamic runner and passer he has been in a road environment. He’s proven to be able to make the Gremlins — who have always loved to ground and pound — a two-dimensional offense. They probably haven’t needed it more than this week.
Merda Adams — There’s a lot to say about the Bulldogs’ high-scoring offense, but the defense has allowed just 54 points in nine games. The Gremlins get the over in this one, because Cole Johnston & Co. are difficult to completely stop, but to win this KC’s defense would have to match Westinghouse stop for stop. Westinghouse 28-17
Pyda — The Gremlins will be trying to contain Bulldogs’ dual-threat quarterback Zahir Ismaeli, who accounted for four TDs in the City League championship game against University Prep. That game was played on Halloween, so the Bulldogs may have to shake off a bit of rust. Karns City’s speed at certain positions has led to a great season, but Westinghouse has speed all over the field. Westinghouse 37-22
Scoop — One thing the Gremlins do not have this season that they have featured in years past is a hammer at running back, a 200-plus pound wrecking ball who can gain 100 yards on 15 carries while dragging three would-be tacklers along with him. It sure would come in handy in a game like this. Westinghouse 34-17
WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal, at Chartiers Valley High School, 7 p.m.
Keys to the game: If the Trojans want to have any shot at getting past the No. 3 seed, they’ll have to stiffen up defensively. The Vikings’ attack is operated by Penn State pledge James Armstrong, the No. 10 quarterback in the 2028 class, according to On3. Armstrong has thrown for 2,137 yards, 32 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season, while Hopewell is averaging 54 points per game since the beginning of October.
The Vikings’ success hasn’t been exclusively ground-based, either. Junior Nasir Wade has gone for 923 yards on 102 carries. He has 18 total touchdowns, as well.
The best way for head coach Chris Rizzo’s crew to counter the lethal attack is to ride standout senior running back Anthony Greene, who’s gone for 1,071 yards on 123 carries.
“To have (assistant coach Tim Aguglia) get that confidence and to watch it click, that’s really the biggest change in his game is that (Greene) was a guy who was maybe a little tentative, but we found the package that works for him,” Rizzo said. “And now that he sees it, he’s hitting it hard.”
Merda Adams — Well, I need a win to get any closer to Derek, so I’m taking the Trojans to pull off the upset. Their defense has been significantly better most of the season than I expected, and they’ll get a couple key turnovers to flip the field and set up TDs for Will Waskiewicz or Anthony Greene. North Catholic 35-28
Pyda — Hopewell quarterback James Armstrong has passed for over 2,100 yards and 32 TDs this season. He’s also rushed for 760 yards and 10 more scores and is averaging nearly four combined TDs per game. It’s been a great run for North Catholic, but this is a very stiff test. Hopewell 42-31
Scoop — The Trojans have been stingy, allowing 62 combined points in their last six games. Hopewell’s offense, however, is playing at a different level. Hopewell 30-20
