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Mike White's high school football chat: 09.16.25
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Mike White
10:58
I think I took a short nap, woke up and all of a sudden we're almost at the halfway point of the high school football regular season. So what do we talk about this week? More Shady Side forfeit stuff? Recruiting? Teams doing well? Transfers? Let's get started.
Johnny
10:58
WPIAL has not posted on Instagram or Twitter since 8/25.. what gives? Also was looking for results from the boys golf sectionals and the website still has 2024 results!
Mike White
10:59
Their communications director (Ethan Woy) left. He had been there the past few years. Did a great job. Handled the web site. Put results and stories on web site. Did social media. As far as I know, they haven't replaced him.
Michael Michael Motorcycle
11:00
Are the same parameters still in place for the next class cycle? Are the vo-tech and charter school kids being counted to screw over the lo income schools again?
Mike White
11:01
Yes, same parameters are in place. Cyber/charter, vo-tech students count 100 percent to a school's enrollment numbers. This is the second year of the two-year cycle. New classification numbers should probably be out in December. Usually, schools have to turn in enrollment numbers to PIAA in October.
H2P
11:01
Some WPIAL schools seem to thrive on humiliating opponents by scoring as many points as they possibly can. I know there's nothing the PIAA or WPIAL can do about this, but one has to wonder if this played a part in SSA forfeiting their football game to Clairton. Funny that they were able to play the following week with 20 players but not the week before.
Mike White
11:05
I think we can all assume what happened with Shady Side Academy. I'm sure they had some injuries, but obviously they didn't want to play Clairton. I just think Shady Side handled the situation so poorly, coming out with statements in consecutive days with different injury numbers. I posted on X a photo from Shady Side's game this past Friday against Ligonier Valley. Of course Shady Side was able to play that game. And for the national anthem, Shady Side looks to have about 28 players in uniform lined up on the sideline. Amazing, how so many players got healthy in a week.
Popular Kid
11:05
I have a working theory on why there are not as many D1 kids throughout WPA anymore.. Too many small schools throughout the area leads to kids not having to work as hard to earn a starting spot. competition breeds excellence. Also, small schools do not have the weight room and training resources available to them
Mike White
11:07
Well Popular Kid, your theory is absurd!!! Under your theory, kids were working harder, say, 15 years ago than now. And under your theory, there must be kids working so much harder in this senior class because we have about double the power conference recruits than recent classes. C'mon, man.
Club wpial
11:07
4A football seemed to be Port and TJ when season started. Now it looks like those two Quip, Mars and Montour could have a say at playoff time. But if Spell gets healthy then Port jumps to the top again. Do you see it that way too?
Mike White
11:09
I don't think anyone was counting out Aliquippa at start of season. I think the consensus was they just aren't as powerful as recent teams. And I think that's true. I think 4A is pretty open now, but McKeesport is such a different team with Kemon Spell. No one like him. I agree that when Spell plays, McKeesport might be the best team. The good thing is that will be played out in the future.
Mr Ed
11:09
So amazingly, 28 players available for Shady Side Academy last Friday. Either Lazarus came to one of their practices or they ducked Clairton. WPIAL isn’t really going to let them get away this are they?
Mike White
11:12
WPIAL had board of directors meeting yesterday. WPIAL told Post-Gazette's Keith Barnes that the league hasn't done anything yet because the rule is that Shady Side can still make up the game at some point this season. You know, play maybe on a Monday and Tuesday. I'd be willing to bet Clairton would do that in a second. But do you think Shady Side will? No way. So we will have to wait to see if the WPIAL will do anything. My guess? The good ol' slap on the wrists of public censure and maybe probation. (Oh no!!!! Not the dreaded public censure!!!!)
Guest
11:12
Been watching high school football for 40+ years and that Hopewell/Beaver game ranks near the top of the most exciting games I’ve ever seen. Hopewell had them down 21-3 and 44-30 with 5 min left. Beaver had a gritty group
Mike White
11:14
I could believe it. Sounded incredible. And how about James Armstrong? I just watched highlights of the kid from the game. He's for real. Penn State and North Carolina just offered yesterday. So people are taking notice. I have not seen him live in a game yet. Plan to this Friday when Hopewell plays Avonworth. Should be mighty interesting. Avonworth definitely the better team. I really like Armstrong, but just a hunch that he doesn't get 600 yards against the 'Lopes.
11:18
By the way, speaking of Avonworth, I have to say something. That school went under multi, multi million dollar renovation in the past couple years. Unbelievable that nothing was done to athletics. The football stadium has a press box that is seemingly from 1930. There aren't even bleachers on both sides. And they varsity gym? Wow. Again, bleachers on one side. Hard to figure the upgrades and nothing to the facilities. C'mon, Lopes. It's supposed to be Antelope Country - not Antiquated Country. Oh well. Just sayin'
Bosco
11:18
The 3A Western Hills conference is gonna be fun to watch. Obviously Avonworth is the big favorite to win it but CV,NC, Beaver and Hopewell battling for the last 3 playoff spots is gonna be something to watch
Mike White
11:20
Agree. Some really interesting games coming up in the final six weeks, starting this Friday with Hopewell at Avonworth. I'll take in that one. Avonworth is really, really good. I saw them Friday. Not often you can say this, but I don't really see one weakness on that team. TJ coach Bill Cherpak said the same. But I want to see Stretch Armstrong live for Hopewell.
TW
11:20
Mercy, Mercy, me…..watched PineRichland this past Friday at North Hills.  Very impressive….great running game and excellent receivers.  QB, very small BUT accurate.  Peters Township vs PineRichland in WPIAL Championship would be a “Barnburner.”
Mike White
11:21
No surprise what Pine-Richland did to North HIlls. Both Pine and Peters are really, really good. Really interesting game coming up next week. Upper St. Clair vs. Peters.
Bosco
11:21
Beaver County still abuzz with the Beaver/Hopewell game. It had it all, besides defense although a great goal line stand by Beaver on the 2 pt conversion at the end
Mike White
11:21
Was Buzz Gabos at that game?
royal alum
11:22
Do you think WPIALthe reason Anthony Smith couldn't play at SLS (and had to transfer to WV) and other players that left SLS for Pine or Penn Hills (Taylor or Littlejohn)
Mike White
11:22
Send this question again. I don't understand. I think you're missing some words.
Sports Guy
11:22
Is it fair to say that the pine Richland kid only became eligible for the post season because he’s going to Penn State? I’m all for kids transferring and doing what’s best for them but seems like  being that good and staying in state played a factor even if WPIAL/PIAA say it had nothing to do with it.
Mike White
11:25
What? Good Lord, is that ridiculous. Yeah, I would imagine when the WPIAL board of directors had their meeting, the directors sat around and said, "Hey, before we vote on this kid's playoff eligibility, remember he has to be eligible because he's going to Penn State." Yep. I think that's what happened.
royal alum
11:25
Any idea how much the school contesting the transfer goes into WPIAL's decisions on eligibility?  Seems like Anthony Smith was denied all eligibility to play at Seton when Southmoreland contested the transfer.  But Littlejohn leaving Seton is ok for regular season and now Taylor is good for whole season after leaving Seton.  Or is it just private to public (vs public to private or private to private) gets greater scrutiny?
Mike White
11:29
Yes, a school contesting transfer means a lot. When a school does that, the WPIAL usually brings the athlete in for a hearing. The PIAA has made it clear with rulings over the years that if a school signs off on a transfer, they usually will make the athlete eligible. One of the things is evidence. If a school signs off on a transfer, the WPIAL usually doesn't have any evidence that athletic is involved. I think more schools need to stand up and contest a transfer. But here's the problem. Many times, a school knows a kid is transferring for athletics. But the school doesn't care if the kid leaves, so they sign off on the transfer.
Skenes Mustache
11:30
With the PR game out of the way, I see North Hills running the table in the section, finishing second and breaking the careycurse with a playoff victory! I think this is the week Brody Zangaro gets his first victory as a head coach. Can NH turn things around?
Mike White
11:32
Well Skenes. North Hills has Fox Chapel, Norwin, Plum, Shaler, Penn Hills and Central Valley left. Definitely some winnable games there and I agree. They have a chance to finish second in the conference. I think they could win four or five of those games. But I think they've proven they could also lose maybe four of those games, too. Offense seems to be lacking the most for North Hills.
Ryan
11:33
What do you think about Kiski they had a good game against gateway that came down to the end of The Cavaliers get the win This week GO KISKI
Mike White
11:34
Ahhhh, the weekly Kiski Area comment/question. Cavaliers get the win this week? Yeah, right. They're 1-3 and play Penn-Trafford. It's 1-4.
Unstoppable
11:36
You can't stop the Chartiers Valley Colts. You can only hope to contain them
Mike White
11:38
They may never lose again. But speaking of Colts, did you hear about the pony who went to the doctor and told the doctor he had a sore throat. The doctor said: “It’s OK, you’re just a little horse.” .... Wooooo hooooo. I'll be here all week. Try the veal.
If only
11:38
If Ethan Heilman was slightly taller he'd be a surefire D1 prospect. Kid is really good
Mike White
11:39
Yeah, he is having a tremendous year. Completing 82% of passes. Not cutting him down, but even if he was 6-2, not sure he'd be a surefire D1 kid. Just sayin'.
JP
11:39
Looks like it's a down year in 4A. All the top teams have some flaws. Avonworth could be the best team in 3 or 4A.
Mike White
11:40
I don't disagree with you. 4A not looking real strong right now. And there is no doubt that Avonworth would be the best team in 4A. Heck, they beat Aliquippa and beat up TJ. And TJ beat McKeesport. Granted, Spell didn't play. Avonworth is really good. Even Bill Cherpak said he thinks Avonworth would be the best team in 4A.
Yuck
11:42
I hate to say it because if there's one district every fan should hope finally get it right, but Baldwin may be the worst program in PA and one of the worst in the country. I saw them last week and they look completely outmatched at every level. I mean they may wanna shut the whole thing down altogether. It's sad. The kids deserve better
Mike White
11:43
Yes, Baldwin is about as bad as they come right now. Looks like they'll go 0-10 again and stretch losing streak to 29 games. But they're not even the least bit competitive. I don't know what the reason is. Here's how bad it is: In four games, they have been outscored in the first half, 186-6. Ouch!
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