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Mike White's high school football chat: 10.07.25
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Mike White
10:58
Only three weeks left in the high school season, and raise your hand if you predicted that this week's Chartiers Valley-Trinity game might decide a conference championship. I see no hands. Who could've predicted that - and that Thomas Jefferson would be out of the rankings? Or that New Castle would be 6-1 for the first time in 23 years? Now this week, Matt Sieg will likely break the WPIAL record for yardage (passing and rushing), Mars and McKeesport have a showdown and will Leechburg score on Clairton? So let's talk. Chat now open.
Apollo 11
10:59
Just like the men who landed on the moon, how about the crew from Apollo beating the Ironmen? Who saw that one coming???
Mike White
11:02
Hey Apollo 11, I agree. No one outside of Apollo-Ridge could've seen that coming. But you know what, kudos to A-R coach John Skiba. Not always a ton of talent at Apollo-Ridge, but he makes them competitive many years. I like what he has done there. Beating Steel Valley was big. But hey Apollo 11, speaking of the moon, did you hear about that new restaurant that opened on the moon???? Food is great but no atmosphere. ...... Woooo hoooo. I'll be here all week.
Nick
11:02
New Castle best team in 4A? Their defense is the real deal
Mike White
11:03
Honestly, I don't know who the best team is in 4A. But New Castle is certainly for real and Red Hurricanes are definitely in conversation. I think two things have happened. New Castle is even better than last year when they started 4-0. Better players. And I think they are also taking advantage of 4A being a little down this year.
11:05
And hey, more on New Castle. Did you know that New Castle basketball coach Ralph Blundo can't even have fall workouts with players? Why? Because every basketball player is playing football. Fred Mozzoccio got some hoopers out (namely Kai Cox). And you know what? Blundo loves what is going on with football. He knows it's good for a school like New Castle to share athletes. It's a must. "What football is doing is just great for so many people and this community," Ragin' Ralph told me yesterday.
hsfan
11:07
In 4A only the top 2 teams are guaranteed for playoffs. If there is a three way tie for first, what are the tie breakers?
Mike White
11:10
There are three conferences in 4A. The top two from each qualify for playoffs. The WPIAL football committee will then select two other teams for the playoffs. If there is a three-way tie for first, head-to-head is the first tiebreaker. If they tie in head-to-head, all three will be declared conference champions. In the case of a three-way tie, I would guess the WPIAL would take all three teams to the playoffs and seed them however the committee wants.
Ryan
11:10
What do you think about Kiski i think they looked good against Latrobe Go Cavaliers vs Armstrong on Friday
Mike White
11:11
Ahhhh, the weekly Kiski Area question. You have a Cavalier attitude about this. Yes, Cavaliers won last week. Close one with Armstrong, I say, this Friday. But hey, what about that Kiski band? They won another competition this weekend at Mt. Lebanon. Did you know Kenny The Horse told me Kiski band is undefeated in competitions this year. Sound those trumpets!!!
Char Valley
11:12
I think Char Valley is a great testament to a school hiring the right coach and thinking outside the box with a hire. Too many times (obviously it depends on who applies), but schools go with coaches who may have experience, but that experience does not really do much to build a program. Kudos to them for a good hire.
Mike White
11:14
Steve Spence sure is making Char Valley look good. They actually could win a conference title. This is third time since 2007 that CV started 6-1. They started 6-1 in 2020, 8-1 in 2009 and 7-1 in 2007. So it can be done there. Hiring high school coach isn't an exact science. Neither is hire at college.
Big Pun
11:15
Do they take 3 wild card teams in 3A or is it top 4 from each conference to make the playoffs?
Mike White
11:15
Class 5A and 3A are the same. Three conferences. Top three teams in each conference qualify and WPIAL football committee selects three other teams.
40StripesRetired
11:15
Good morning, Mike.  How about those Red Hurricanes?  Coach Mozoccio has his young men playing well and freshman Marino Graham is stepping up as a leader.  Big match-up Friday as West A comes to Taggart Stadium, then Canes @ Ambridge and @ Blackhawk (neither are cupcakes).  Should be an interesting bracket in the wide open WPIAL 4A playoffs.
Mike White
11:17
NE-CA-HI!!!!! Best team since Geno Stone and Marcus Hooker? Good to see. Always good to see a team that has a glorious past have a resurgence. Coach Fred can obviously coach. Look at what he did at Neshannock. Now look at New Castle. And with some younger players, Hurricanes might be good for a while.
Bobby B
11:17
What are you thoughts of social media trolls that claim to be western pa insiders and sportsman on all things high school sports related?  They have a lack of professionalism and often criticize high school players and coaches.  I like getting my info from people that use their own name and have ethical standards such as you and others with a journalism background. You also have the ability to use construct a proper sentence.
Mike White
11:18
Honestly, I'm not going to get into that. It's a subject where any comment will probably be taken the wrong way. So my lips are sealed.
DS
11:18
The competition in 6A is so bad its CC and NA every year with some of the better teams in a bigger 5A. Will WPIAL ever realize that we do not have enough schools to truly have a competitive 6A and combine the two together so there is some competition. This isn't even good for CC or NA no competition then all of a sudden have to face a a real tough team in the state playoffs.Your thoughts?
Mike White
11:21
I agree. 6A is boring. Central and NA will play for the title, I bet, probably 9 of 10 years, if not all 10. The 6A schools do play some 5As in non-conference. So that does happen. I want to say maybe 10  years ago WPIAL surveyed schools and asked if they would want a hybrid classification with 5A and 6A together. Then they would come out with some kind of playoff format to break out a 6A and 5A team to go to states. But the majority of schools didn't want a hybrid. But maybe it's time.
11:22
More on the 6A-5A thing. When six classes started in 2016, WPIAL had 14 6A teams and two conferences. So that was OK. Here's the other thing. A number of 5A schools really don't want to play 6A schools. Well, let me take that back. A number of 5A schools don't want to play Central and NA. So what should WPIAL do?
smitty
11:23
do you think teams will intentionally pour it on to the shady side, fc, and baldwin because of them asking for mercy?
Mike White
11:23
No. But there are coaches around in all classes that will pour it on and not even realize what they are doing.
No Class
11:23
Belle Vernon's players threw a temper tantrum last week at the end of the game versus CV. They thought it was their birthright to roll over the Colts. Guess CV is gonna shock a lot more people
Mike White
11:24
Temper tantrum???? Why didn't someone put them in timeout. They probably ate too much candy.
Freddy
11:24
With that kid from Fox Chapel hitting a 57 yard fg how long until we see a 60+ yard field goal? Seems like kickers at all levels have really gotten better and stronger
Mike White
11:26
Well the national record is 68-yard field goal by Dirk Borgogone in Reno 40 years ago. There are a number of kids nationally who have kicked field goals of more than 60 yards over the years. So a 60-yarder isn't new, but I do agree that kickers in WPIAL seem to have stronger legs in the past 5 years or so. But Josh Miller of East Allegheny kicked that 55-yarder I think 20 years ago.
Pepperidge Farm Remembers
11:26
Seem to recall you said TJ would win the conference when it was asked if CV can win it. That aged like milk
Mike White
11:27
Not over yet.
40StripesRetired
11:27
Mike, another tid-bit on Marino Graham - I've talked with some current and former hoops coaches - they all say Graham is an excellent point guard.  NC hoops should be very strong in 2025-26 season.
Mike White
11:27
Yes, he is. I've said he will be starting point guard for NC this year.
Scuba Steve
11:27
Remind me again when the new enrollment numbers should drop? I am wondering if any teams will join the 6A crew.
Mike White
11:27
PIAA usually releases the numbers for all schools in late November or December.
smitty
11:28
Good for blundo willing to sharing players.  However, football coaches in general are a lot less likely to share.  Do you agree??
Mike White
11:28
Yes and no. Depends on school.
Hundred
11:28
BP hung 75 on Baldwin. Calling it right now. USC hangs 100
Mike White
11:28
Go back to bed.
To Have and Have Not
11:28
A successful coach from Beaver County once told me that building a program is like a table with 4 legs. You need the support of 1) The players and their parents; 2) The district administration and school board; 3) the student body; and 4) the community at large. If the table is missing one of the legs, it will wobble. Two legs, and it will collapse. If there is apathy from at least one component, and/or competition for athletic talent within the school, the job is that much harder. Outsiders to a school do not understand this. You don't just snap your fingers and magic happens.
Mike White
11:29
Very good post. I like it and you are correct. You know what else is needed in building a program? Having the Johnnys and Joes.
Fistfight
11:29
USC-BP should be a good one. Who you like ?
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