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Mike White's high school football chat: 08.27.19
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Mike White
10:59
Hello again, everybody ... I sound something like Lanny Frattare, don't I? Well, I'm back. Weekly high school sports chat will be every Tuesday at 11 a.m. You ask questions. I try to answer. At least most of them. Ones that are idiotic - and there will be some - might not be answered. Good to be back. Another season is here. Let's get started.
Smitty
10:59
Will Ringgold win a game this year?   Two years in a row without a win would be really sad for a one time powerhouse program.
Mike White
11:01
Scored 26 points last year. Got blown out in first game this year. He would never say it publicly, but I know Mike Zmijanac didn't know how bad it was when he took job. I understand it's pretty bad. Yes, they could go winless again. Indiana not the greatest. Maybe they have a chance against them? It was only three years ago they were 8-3 and four years ago 9-2. Wow. Shame.
GH
11:01
Which high school has the tastiest concession food?
Mike White
11:03
Always get this question. I don't know. I don't have an answer. See so many with Chick fil A sandwiches. Nice touch there. But do you have to put those dang pickles on the sandwich, too???!!!!! Totally ruins the sandwich. Even if you take pickles off. Juice is still there. Not to complain.
demosthenes98
11:04
How much revenue does a typical football team in one of the larger WPIAL classifications make in a typical year?  They aren't financially self-sufficient, are they?
Mike White
11:04
I have no idea. You count in home ticket sales and if you have a couple big crowds, that's a nice money maker.
Ballerz
11:04
What game will you be at Friday night? What is the most intriguing matchup you find this week?
Mike White
11:05
I will be at Gateway at Penn-Trafford. Our game of the week. Gateway No. 1 in 5A. But Penn-Trafford is very good. Love what John Ruane has done at P-T. Don Holl has done really good things at Gateway also. First chance this year to see Derrick Davis.
Ballerz
11:05
How good is Derrick Davis from Gateway? Have you seen him? I have not seen him play but to have offers from Alabama and every school possible as a junior is impressive. Is there any chance Pitt lands him?
Mike White
11:08
I think you answered question yourself. If Alabama offers, you must be pretty good. I think Florida just offered. Will Pitt get him? Well Derrick has given no indications of favorites. No doubt Pitt will be among his finalists. But I really don't know what Pitt's chances are. It would be unfair of me to speculate on that because he has given no indications. Remember he just started his junior year. He told me few weeks ago that he hopes to decide by next summer. I know Pitt will be in there but I know other ones will be right with them. I think it's interesting what position he will play in college. Says he still doesn't know yet.
Ace Oh’Malley
11:08
Mr.White, In your humble opinion, do you think winning 6 WPIAL Basketball Championships in 16 years, with a couple of PIAA titles sprinkled in, is worth of being on The WPIAL Hall of Fame?  Thank you for your time.
Mike White
11:10
No idea who you are talking about. Why don't you just name the person. This isn't Jeopardy. But yes, that is impressive. However, WPIAL HOF is a strange thing. Obviously there is a person you think should be in, but is not in. But neither is Dorsett, Marino, Namath, Ditka and others. Because they won't come to banquet.
‘T’ from Green Tree
11:10
Does a zero week game count for  your win-loss record?
Mike White
11:11
Of course, why wouldn't it? It's a game. Other non-conference games count in your record. Why wouldn't Week 0? By the way, I've about had it with the Week 0 term. Can we just start calling it Week 1 maybe?
GH
11:11
Montour played up a classification and lost to Moon. Why then is Montour knocked out of WPIAL ranking #5 and South Fayette plays up a classification and loses but keeps their #2 WPIAL ranking?
Mike White
11:12
It's easy. Montour was No. 5. They still have to prove themselves to keep that ranking. Moon is only 5A and has not been a real good 5A team lately. South Fayette is defending champ was ranked No. 2 and they played at 6A team. An always good 6A team. And it was close. Is that reason enough? We still believe, right now, South Fayette might be second best team in 4A. I don't think you can say now that Montour is fifth-best team in 4A. Big game this week at New Castle.
North/South
11:13
Is Peters that good, or Fox Chapel that Bad?
Mike White
11:13
Peters is very good. One of best teams they ever had. Don't forget they went to semis last year. And yes, I don't think Fox Chapel is very good.
Ace Oh’Malley
11:13
Clairton still the cream of Class A?
Mike White
11:14
Hard to say yet. Can't judge off Aliquippa game. I don't think there is a clear-cut favorite in 1A. Laurel team is most intriguing.
Ya Boy Ray
11:14
Best Student section in the WPIAL?
Mike White
11:15
C'mon, there are lots of good ones nowadays. Student section stuff has really caught on the past 6-7-8 years at a lot of schools. With dressing up, themes, even Moses parting the sea.
Ya Boy Ray
11:15
Best WPIAL football Stadium?
Mike White
11:17
A number of ones I like. Many talk about the Wolvarena. I really like Belle Vernon's. Of course there is The Pit at Aliquippa. So much tradition, but man, it's in horrible shape. I'll still go, considering everything North Hills' Martorelli Stadium. Sits in that valley, great surrounding and atmosphere. Put a packed house in there, Rowdy Rooters on hill, the mist of night time over the stadium, the bleachers are right on top of the field (no track around it). That's good stuff.
Ace Oh’Malley
11:17
Rich Moran, Duquesne High School
Mike White
11:18
Oh, yes he did a lot of winning. I don't know. I don't know if he ever has been nominated.
Wpial fan
11:18
Central Catholic Def looks to be the real thing .  Saw them Friday and wow do they fly around and Big men can move. Anyone besides maybe st joe hang with that d husband yr?
Mike White
11:21
Wait, what the heck is "d husband yr?" Do you have your wife on your mind. Ha ha. As for Central D, yes you would think it should be terrific. I've done some things already on A.J. Beatty and Elliot Donald. Have big piece running this Friday on the Allen twins. That's four D-1 kids on DLine. You know they have some other athletes also. How many teams can say they have four future D-1 kids on DLine. Beatty is going to UNC. Donald is a junior and just named his top 8 last night. Bunch of Power 5 schools. Then the Allen twins. No Power 5 offers yet. Mostly MAC schools. But those Power 5 offers might eventually come.
TM
11:21
USC @ Peters Twp. Friday night--who you got?
Mike White
11:22
Haven't seen either but I'll go with Peters. Peters has all that skill back from last year. The question with them is the lines. They lost a lot of linemen. Line play will be key. So will play of new USC QB Ethan Dahlem. And I really like Peters LB Corban Hondru. People don't know how good he is.
Ya Boy Ray
11:22
Any chance the PIAA adjusts the classes next year to get more WPIAL 6A teams?  At least two sections.
Mike White
11:24
WPIAL doesn't set classifications. PIAA sets classifications based on school enrollments. Only way things would change is if the WPIAL would come up with a 4 class system maybe for the regular season and then somehow break out for playoffs. But I know for a fact that many of the 5A schools are happy not having to play 6A schools that are twice their size. So I think it will be more of the same.
North/South
11:24
What team with a new coach do you expect to have the most success this season?
Mike White
11:25
I think there are 22 new coaches this year. A few in the spotlight because they are taking over for veritable legends. Brian DeLallo took over for Jeff Metheny at Bethel. I think Bethel has a chance at being very good.
Javar
11:25
What’s your thoughts on Sto Rocks This Year? I personally think they are a sleeper coming out of Single A. Seems like all the media is counting them out or isn’t putting g them as true contender for the single A championship.
Mike White
11:27
"Lot of media counting them out?" We have them ranked No. 5 in Class 1A. That's not too bad, for a team that didn't make the playoffs this year. I said earlier that I don't think there is a dominant team in Class 1A. No overwhelming favorite. It wouldn't surprise me if they went far in the playoffs. I think we'll know a little more about them after this week against OLSH. This isn't the OLSH team of last year when they won title. But they are still decent. But please don't cry the "no respect" thing already with Sto-Rox. Win games. You'll get respect. If they start, like, 6-0, they might be in top 3.
Albert
11:27
What do you think of New Castle in 4A?
Mike White
11:29
Intriguing. I think could be pretty decent. Demetris McKnight could be biggest breakout player in WPIAL. Just talked to coach Joe Cowart about him yesterday. Watched a few highlights of McKnight from Friday. Impressive. He was impressive athletically in basketball. Has had some off field issues but coach says he is much better this year. Cowart thinks he is a Power 5 player, if he gets some things together. Hey, Geno Stone from New Castle is having an impact at Iowa. Makes you think McKnight could.
Ya Boy Ray
11:29
Canon McMillan, Norwin, Hempfield, Butler?  Which program has the best chance of becoming a contender in 6A in the next 5 years?
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