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Mike White's high school football chat: 09.17.19
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Mike White
10:59
Let's just get started right away. Go ahead and ask away.
Whike Mite
11:00
Mike,  Would you be the “Outside party” that turned in Aliquippa and Franklin Regional?  You know, like you did to Pat Monroe and Duquesne High School many moons ago.
Mike White
11:03
Well, I was at one of Aliquippa heat practices and just Tweeted a little video of practice. I had no idea you weren't allowed to wear football pants at heat practices. Apparently, some people called WPIAL after seeing the Tweet. As for Franklin Regional I have no idea. As for Pat Monroe and others you are talking about. Yep, that was me that did the story. Totally different. A number of teams were scrimmaging with full contact at California Pa. when they weren't allowed. And yes, some coaches got suspended because of that. Full out contact scrimmages against other teams that weren't allowed is a little different than wearing football pants instead of shorts. I have no problem saying that was me that did the scrimmage story years ago.
Bill K
11:03
Mike, is North Hills for real, or is it more of the same from the Pat Carey era?  Beat up on the teams with losing records and lose to teams with winning records.
Mike White
11:04
Still don't know totally about North Hills. But I think they might be better than last year. True, they haven't played a tough team yet, but I still think they are better. Will know more after this week against Peters. I think Peters is definite favorite in the game.
Bring back Batko
11:04
Malcolm Gladwell should add a chapter of his book Outliers on Aliquippa football. 7th Quip to commit to a Power 5 program since 2014. Also, Chinua Solomon should be #8. Kid can play.
Mike White
11:05
Zuriah & Chinua. Sounds like it could be a hit series this week.
Mike
11:06
Mike who do you believe will be seeded 1-4 in 2A come playoff time?
Mike White
11:09
So you want me to predict the top four seeds now??? When we still have six weeks left in regular season??? Wow. I feel fairly confident Washington will be 1 and Burgettstown 2. I don't see anyone beating Burgettstown in that conference. McGuffey could give Washington some trouble in that conference. From there, it's tough. If Avonworth beats Apollo-Ridge this week, I think Avonworth will end up three. Hard to say who the best team is in the other conference. Might be Freedom.
NorthSouth
11:09
Who do you like North Hills @ Peters this week?
Mike White
11:09
Indians vs. Indians. I'll take Peters Township. Line play will be key.
Tombert
11:09
What's the over/under of high school coaches in Western PA that could do a better job than Tomlin? I'm thinking all of them....
Mike White
11:09
You're so funny.
We want Batko
11:09
What’s the early buzz on realignment for next year? Staying with 6 classes?
Mike White
11:11
The PIAA definitely will. WPIAL will probably consider a system where would be sort of a hybrid system. There would be four classes. They would do some kind of system to still have six reps to the state playoffs though. Some coaches want four classes. I also can tell you some don't. I can tell you some 5A football coaches who want nothing to do with playing 6A teams again that are twice their size. We shall see.
Jersey Mike
11:11
How come you NEVER go to smaller schools to see great match ups ? You always stay NORTH of the city (unless u go to Lebo or TJ ?
Mike White
11:15
Ummmm. I just did a Class A game as our game of the week -- Sto-Rox vs. Cornell. Last Friday. I was there. We had stories and pictures on it. I missed two Fridays of this season for reasons I won't get into. But I'm just thinking back to last year. I know I was at Belle Vernon, Upper St. Clair, Peters Township, Woodland Hills, West Allegheny, South Fayette, West Mifflin and others in the regular season alone. That's seven Fridays in regular season. My compass tells me they aren't all north.
Jersey Mike
11:15
You should cover LAUREL @ CLAIRTON Friday 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Mike White
11:16
Lot of games I should cover every week. But can only go to one - and it won't be Laurel-Clairton. Although that is a very interesting game. Clairton is 1-2 but two good losses to McGuffey and Aliquippa. I'll pick Laurel but it wouldn't surprise me if Clairton won.
demosthenes98
11:16
Three years ago, you wrote an excellent article on the decline of ninth-grade football in western PA.  Where do things stand now?  How many high schools in the Pittsburgh area still field ninth-grade teams?
Mike White
11:17
Still not many. 9th grade football is just about dead. I would venture to guess maybe 10 teams at the most play it now.
Alex
11:18
Who do you think will win the 2A Allegheny Conference, Apollo-Ridge, Avonworth, or Shady Side Academy?
Mike White
11:19
Apollo-Ridge plays at Avonworth this week. I think winner ends up winning the conference. I'll take Avonworth.
GW
11:19
Will Burgettstown win AA?
Mike White
11:20
I think they have a legitimate shot. We have them No. 2 right now. Washington No. 1. I don't think 2A is real strong this year.
GW
11:20
Could the PG ever do an article about every HS football coaches salary?  Who are the top paid guys?
Mike White
11:20
It would take a while to get that. Probably have to go through state to get all that.
GW
11:21
Best WPIAL big school championship game you've ever seen?
Mike White
11:22
1986 - Gateway over North Hills 7-6. North Hills had just become No. 1 in the country in USA Today. The entire lower bowl of Three Rivers was filled. Over 20,00 for that game.
11:23
I would also say 2007 - Central Catholic over Gateway, 35-34, in OT. Gateway tied at end of regulation with their "Our Father" play. Hook and ladder. Also some other good ones like NA over USC in overtime in 2011. McKeesport against USC in 1994.
GW
11:24
Any word on how Zane Dudek is doing in college?  Think Pitt shoulda offered?
Mike White
11:25
Yale hasn't played a game yet. They open this Saturday against Holy Cross. Zane was terrific as a freshman, was Ivy League Player of the Year. Did not have great sophomore year last year. Was hurt a lot. I don't think Pitt would've been wrong to offer. Would've been kind of neat how he would've done.
GW
11:25
Any chance charter schools come to the WPIAL a dominate in football like Eastern PA?
Mike White
11:26
I doubt it. Takes too many players in football. Basketball only takes a few. Lincoln Park is a charter and still doesn't have football. Philadelphia is different. Many, many, many more people in Philly city.
Keto
11:26
I can't imagine any 5A ADs wanting to go back to 4 classes in the WPIAL.  Why would a school like Shaler want to go back to playing schools that were literally more that twice their size in Quad A?
Mike White
11:27
Well Keto, that's exactly what I said above. I know North Hills doesn't play rival North Allegheny any more but I don't know if North Hills wants to play NA again.
Batko’s Fan Club
11:27
What are the transfer rules if both schools sign off?
Mike White
11:28
Student athlete is usually good to go. WPIAL can still have a hearing, though. But unless some evidence of recruiting or otherwise, the student is usually eligible. PIAA will almost never hold up an ineligible ruling if there is principal to principal signoff.
Mike Black
11:28
Springdale hosting Jeannette.  Both undefeated, at Springdale.  Who ya got?
Mike White
11:30
Could Springdale be a sleeper this year? You know Jeannette is always good. At least very competitive. Springdale is 4-0 but haven't played anyone real tough. Although they did beat what looks like at least a decent Deer Lakes team.
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