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Mike White high school football chat: 8.21.18
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Mike White
10:58
The "OPEN" sign is now lit. We're back and open for business once again. It all starts again Friday night. The bands, the running through the paper signs, the smell of boiled hot dogs, the Friday night lights. Whatever you want to talk about, just join in and fire away with the questions.
10:59
Shameless personal P-G plug. Our first "tab" is out today. In the newspaper. 70 some pages. Cover story on Mike Zmijanac and Mike Warfield. Stories on every 6A and 5A team. Tomorrow another 70 some page tab with 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A. Plus, all those stories are on our web site.
11:01
We had news over the summer. The public vs. private thing really heated up. ... Now a number of good games first week. How about No. 1 team in the country playing a WPIAL team. That's IMG Academy at Pine-Richland. But let's get something straight. I don't count IMG as a "real" "high school" team. Yes, they are all in high school. But c'mon. It's an all-star team. AAU team. Players come from all over to the place. I've been to IMG. Impressive. But they're really not high school. Even so, should be interesting game.
11:02
Some other good ones first weekend. Woodland Hills is hosting six games over two days. "Western Pennsylvania vs. Everyone Classic." Love the name. Nice event.
Gateway vs. Mt. Lebanon is a good one. South Fayette vs. Upper St. Clair should be interesting. .... Well, away we go. Start any questions.
MonValleyRivalry
11:04
Mike, ur thoughts on the Charleroi at Monessen game and thoughts on Charleroi this year?
Mike White
11:09
Charleroi has the three-headed monster back at QB, RB and WR. They could do some good things. Charleroi could have one of its best teams in a while. Made playoffs last year. They are definitely above Monessen. But still wondering, what the heck went on with Donnie Militzer as coach at Charleroi? Let go after last season. As usual, no real explanation. He did a really good job of building the team up after few down years. Shame he couldn't be around for this season.
deppen76
11:09
Is it me, or were there lots of transfers before the new rules started Aug 6?
Mike White
11:10
There are always lots of them in summer. Not that many more than usual, to be honest. But some did want to get in before new rule went into effect Aug. 6. We'll see if it cuts down on the number of transfers in the next year. My guess is people will probably do it more before their sophomore year now.
RollRedRoll
11:10
Penn Hills going to Steubenville seems like a game you don’t often see Week 1.  WPIAL semi finalist vs the defending Ohio State champs. How winnable is this for Penn Hills?
Mike White
11:12
Penn Hills can definitely win. Loaded at skill positions this year. Line is a question mark. Steubenville great program. Third-winningest team in Ohio history behind only Massillon and McKinley. They have moved on after much-publicized problems few years ago. This is a town team. Great following. Steubenville was in state final last three years. Won last year. They are 4A. Tough, tough game for Penn Hills but I think it will be close.
Rick
11:15
who is your pick for 1A
Mike White
11:17
I really think this might be Imani's year. Some good players back. We'll know a lot early on when Imani plays Jeannette. Don't overlook Clairton, either. They're not the Bears of old, but still will make noise. .. California is team that intrigues me most. Good season last year and they have "The Bus" 6-2, 280-pound RUNNING BACK Jelani Stafford.
Willmacht
11:17
Thoughts on Steel Valley?
Mike White
11:18
My thought is they will be really good. Todd Hill one of the most dominating defensive players at any level. Love the way that kid plays. Should just call him Concrete because he's so hard. Steel Valley and Washington clear cut best teams in 2A.
Champ
11:18
Mike, who’s the best player in 5A?
Mike White
11:21
That's hard to say just one. Trent Holler Latrobe very good lineman. Will probably go to Pitt and WVU. But really like receiver-DB Courtney Jackson at Gateway. Caught 96 passes a year ago. Going to Syracuse. And watch out for Gateway sophomore RB-LB Derrick Davis. I think he'll have a big year running the ball. And don't forget the "Man" from Mars. 6-6, 282 pound Michael Carmody. One of most intriguing players in WPIAL. Didn't play as freshman. Played last year. Now a ton of big time offers. One of reasons is because athleticism he showed as a big guy in basketball. Moving to OT this year. I really like his story. He never thought at the start of last year he'd have this many offers. Will continue to hoop also. And has a 4.1 grade average.
Retire21
11:21
Would you advise the Porter and Tomlin kids to get out of the fish bowl and play somewhere other than Pitt?
Mike White
11:25
No, why would anyone advise that? Maybe they would want to stay in Pittsburgh. And you should do what you want. It's not like Tomlin has bunch of other big-time offers. Will he be good enough to make impact some day at Pitt? We'll see. Porter is much more heavily recruited. He seems to like thoughts of getting away from here. Miami, Nebraska and LSU are his other three besides Pitt and Penn State. I have no insight where he will go but he said Pitt and Penn State have serious chances. Just a pure guess on my part, but I think PSU has a real good chance at him. I just can't see him going to LSU or Nebraska. Maybe Miami. We've had kids go there.
11:26
The last kid I know from Western Pa. to go to LSU I think might have been lineman Jim Hubicz from Sharon in 1980s. As for Nebraska? Remember Dante Wiley transferring there? And remember this one. A lineman from Perry in the City League - Dennis Martin - signed with Nebraska I believe in 1990. Imagine that. A Perry kid to the Huskers.
Stillers
11:26
Thoughts on Beavers jump to 4A?
Mike White
11:28
Will definitely be tougher, but heck they played against Aliquippa, Central Valley, etc. last few years. They were in tough conference. Just won't be any tomato cans for them any more. Jeff Beltz is very underrated coach there. Done tremendous job.
HailMightyLeopards
11:28
Ok Mike....let’s hear it, week 2...Tj at Belle Vernon!   Who ya got?
Mike White
11:29
Yes, a showdown early. 1 vs. 2. That was a good game last year. I was there. Both should be really good. Make me choose and I'll say TJ this year. But hey, does that one matter? I say they meet in WPIAL final. Look at last year. BV won regular season. TJ won easily in semifinals. 4A is not overly strong, I don't think Only 16 teams.
D9 Dave
11:30
Give me your predicted order of finish for the six 6A schools that will make the WPIAL playoffs.
Mike White
11:30
Well aren't you demanding? Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, Central, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin and Seneca Valley.
D9 Dave
11:30
Which new coach do you think will impact their school's football program the most?
Mike White
11:34
Geez, that's a little hard. But Mike Warfield at Aliquippa. Whether he tries to or not, a new coach at Aliquippa will have an impact. I don't see anyone beating Aliquippa in 3A. Heck, there are only 17 teams and Quips have a ton back from last year. Mike Zmijanac left the cupboard well stocked. Now next year? We'll see.
Quad North Fan
11:35
NA plays COF Academy. Who is COF?
Mike White
11:38
It's what you get when you have a cold. Ha ha. I'll be here all week. ..... Seriously, COF is Christians of Faith Academy. Brand new school. Startup in Columbus. A lot of questions about school, though. Not a lot of info out there. They went out and got players to start a team. Playing some tough teams. But they are not part of OHSAA. I just read that. Kind of a mystery? Are they a fly-by-night school? I don't know.
Cuz
11:38
What did Kenny White from Pine Richland end up doing for college ball? Seemed like an intriguing prospect but never heard much about his recruiting.
Mike White
11:40
Eric Kasperowicz coach at Pine-Richland told me in summer he was going to go to a junior college. Obviously needs to take care of a few things. But you have to like his body and athletic ability. If he can get things together, he could get recruited.
Quad North Fan
11:40
PR - IMG score?
Mike White
11:43
On our Varsity Xtra show, I went out on a limb and took Pine. I know I may be a dolt for that. IMG has big time players everywhere. But there might be something to be said about a "real high school team" having some cohesion, where a number of IMG players haven't been together that long. Hearing a lot about Pine-Richland's defense this year, and rightly so. A friend called "Horse" told me they dominated Woodland Hills in a scrimmage Saturday. Can't always believer "Horse," though. He had a long face when he told me that. But P-R's defense should be very good. I'll say 27-21 Pine. Will some IMG speed be a big factor? They have a super running back.
11:47
Our No. 1 teams to start the season: 6A Pine-Richland. 5A Gateway. 4A Thomas Jefferson. 3A Aliquippa. 2A Washington.  1A Jeannette.
State rankings will come out tomorrow. Just a hint. Philly teams will be all over the No. 1 spots.
11:59
Well, that does it for now. Remember, first night is Friday. I will be at IMG-Pine. Let's roll.
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