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Mike White's high school football chat: 10.17.23
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Mike White
10:52
So we're starting chat a few minutes early. Because if you're on time, you're late. Right? Well, it's almost playoff time in WPIAL football. Only two weeks left in regular season. So, if you're ready, I'll hit the ignition switch and we'll get started. I'm staying upbeat about this week. I'm conifdent the idiotic questions and comments will be kept to a minimum this week.
FC Fan
10:52
Is this the year FC breaks through to win a WPIAL title and if not can they do it before Sieg leaves? They have a senior laden line this year and losing them will be hard to replace.
Mike White
10:54
Hey FC Fan. I saw Fort Cherry live Friday night. They are very good. Sieg puts that team on a different level. They are certainly right in the mix to win school's first football title. But there are still some other really good Class 1A teams out there. This Friday's South Side at Union game might tell us a lot. And don't forget about Canevin.
Jeff
10:54
4A is shaping up to be Aliquippa vs winner of McKeesport - TJ  Ive always been impressed with McKeesport (great place to attend a game and well run program) and great win over Gateway last week. Mike how good is Mars ? I'd love to see Eric Kasperowicz win in light of the whole PR Fiasco?
Mike White
10:57
I think Aliquippa will definitely get challenged this year. Yes,  McKeesport and TJ look good. But don't overlook those other Parkway Conference teams like Montour, Central Valley. I haven't seen Mars. Lost two close games to Moon and Montour. Obviously, they're good and offense looks to be very good, although top receiver (Gabe Hein) has injured ankle. Don't know his status yet. Quips are still favorite but they'll get challenged in playoffs.
Jeff
10:57
Mike big one at the Wolverena as Woody High and Scoop Smith take on Pine Richland. Woody High have a chance ? How about joining me for some Shelly Pie prior to the game and taking in what should be a good one ? Nice touch at Wolverena is pictures of former players on outside of stadium and didn't stop to notice if George Novak is up there ?
Mike White
10:59
Ahhhh, what in the word is Shelly Pie? I guess you've got former Post-Gazette sports writer Shelly Anderson making pies now. As for the game, I will be there. It's our Game of the Week.
Big Fan
10:59
Do you know when schools need to have their new enrollment figures in for the next realignment?
Mike White
11:00
Had to be in last Friday. New classification cutoffs based on enrollment released probably last few days of October or early November. PIAA only releases class cutoffs. They don't release where every school fits in those classes. That is released in December.
Shills
11:00
Mike- thanks for another great year of coverage.  Recently read the article on Butler proposing a formula to play down in classification(s).  In your opinion, what current 5a or 6a schools could benefit, or would they?  Some bump down classifications every two years and still struggle annually.
Mike White
11:03
It all depends on what you think are parameters for being bumped down in class. There are teams that are competitive but can't win championships. Should they be bumped down? I don't think so. Fox Chapel would certainly benefit from a drop to 4A. But should that happen?
Coach O
11:03
It is very likely Waynesburg High is going to finish 8-2 after being 0-10 last season. Can you recall a team having a bigger turnaround in the regular season? Has anybody ever gone winless to undefeated?
Mike White
11:05
Great thing what Waynesburg has done. Well, Knoch won only one game last year and 2 the year before and none in 2020. So they've turned it around also. As far as anyone ever gone winless to undefeated? I doubt that. That means they would've won a championship. And remember, the WPIAL is over 100 years old. Believe it or not, I wasn't covering WPIAL football in 1930s or 1940s.
Beaver County Fan
11:05
What are your thoughts on where the Beaver Bobcats might get seeded in the playoffs (I know they haven't officially clinched yet, but their last two games are against Hopewell and QV, so c'mon man!) They led Avonworth 28-27 late in the fourth quarter of their matchup before the Lopes scored in the waning moments to pull it out, and they have quality out of conference wins over Western Beaver and Beaver Falls. Any opinions on the Bobcats?
Mike White
11:08
I think Beaver is good. Sleeper team for playoffs. But will likely finish no higher than third. But there are only three conferences in 3A and, believe me, 3A doesn't exactly have a lot of depth of quality teams. I could see them 8 or 9.
Panzer
11:08
Who is the best high school basketball player in the area?
Mike White
11:08
Meleek Thomas, junior at Lincoln Park.
FutureKnights
11:08
Knoch Football is having an outstanding year, do you know anything about Knoch Basketball, they started 3 freshman and a sophomore last year, including Bauman and Spencer there 2 leading receivers.  I know the coach was under the late great Win Palmer for about 10 years
Mike White
11:09
I do not know who Knoch has back in basketball, but it wouldn't surprise me if they are better.
Sport
11:09
As an old (pushing 80) City League footballer, why do the public schools get so little attention in the PG??
Mike White
11:10
If you're close to 80, I'll give you a pass. But in the world are you talking about? We give little attention to public schools? Please. We'll count that as idiotic comment No. 1 on today's chat.
Guest
11:10
Mike Beaver Falls did not meet expectations, any chance of them in playoffs? Ty
Mike White
11:12
Another sleeper team for playoffs. I'm telling you, nobody better sleep on Beaver Falls in playoffs. I still think they're good. Can't win a close game. Four losses by a total of 17 points. Three to Beaver. Four to Knoch. One to Neshannock. Nine to Mohawk. All really good teams.
Sam Bloom
11:12
Hearing Brashear brought in 2 basketball transfers from Jersey, (Matt Scott and Hunter Bloom). Should change the landscape of the city league, but when will these transfer rules tighten up? its getting out of hand
Mike White
11:14
I have no idea about these players. You saying Brashear "brought them in." You make it sound Brashear recruited them. Really? How do you know that? That's a pretty big accusation. I really like Brashear coach Carey White. Does a good job of what he has to work with. Very good guy. But I'm sorry. People are transferring to Brashear for basketball? Really? C'mon, man. You ever think those two kids just moved here?
TM
11:14
In 5A, sections are only 6 teams (5 section games and 5 non-section games). Typically do non-section games get scheduled with closer/regional rivals? Does WPIAL schedule these games or is it up to the schools?
Mike White
11:15
Teams can schedule a Week 0 game of their choice. From there on out, WPIAL schedules all games. A few years ago, WPIAL stopped random scheduling of non-conference opponents and tried to match some up with teams comparable in strength. And some rivalries.
Jaguar Fan
11:16
What do you think about TJ basketball this year? Only losing 3 seniors and only 1 starter. Are they in the talks for a 5A playoff run?
Mike White
11:17
Evan Berger is really good. Long and can score. He should be one of the better seniors in WPIAL this season. I don't know what they have back besides him. But with him, they are most certainly a playoff team.
Noah Rand
11:19
Way too early, but...What are your 6 predictions for WPIAL boys hoops titles this year?
Mike White
11:21
You're right. Still early. I'm not predicting these will win championships, but here's a few thoughts. 6A no real favorite. Butler, Upper St. Clair maybe No. 1 going into season. Don't forget Central, either. 5A watch out for Moon. Penn Hills lost its two best players, but will still be good. 4A is pretty easy. It's Lincoln Park. North Catholic could still be pretty good. Class 3A is up in the air. Class 2A still watch out for Aliquippa. Class 1A Imani Christian. Yes, they lost Maluk and Givner, but they are still very good. All guards.
Buckets!
11:22
Butler got bad rap with this 'relegation' thing...Butler athletics is successful outside of football. WPIAL Title BBB, PIAA T&F title, Individual State XC Silver medalist, prob a Gold Medalist this year, Boys / Girls Soccer playoff every year...
Mike White
11:22
Totally agree about Butler athletics. But it's really only football that people are criticizing them for.
Buckets!
11:22
Who's in your "way too early" top 5 Boys hoop teams, regardless of classifcation....
Mike White
11:22
I gave some top teams above.
Coach15
11:22
What team or teams has pleasantly surprised you in HS football & also what team or teams disappointed you?
Mike White
11:24
I'm not going to name "disappointing" teams. I'm not into doing that type of thing to high school teams or kids. Save that for college and pros. Surprises? Most certainly Waynesburg, Knoch. Maybe Trinity. Seton might not make playoffs, but they were 0-10 last year and are very competitive this year. Those are a few.
Jeff
11:24
PIAA Golf finishes up today Plum's Wes Lorish 66 yesterday Butler;s Huhter Swidinski -4 after 5 holes today and WPIAL Champ Penn Trafford;s Nick Turowski -3 are in the hunt https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/9967724853471512675
Mike White
11:25
I guess Hunter Swidzinski really is a "Hunter" today. Woooo hooooo!!!! I'll be here all week. Tip your waitresses. Try the veal.
FutureKnights
11:26
Knoch is having an outstanding football season.  Do you know anything about the basketball team.  They started 3 freshman and a sophomore last year.  Including Bauman and Spencer who is the football teams leading receivers.  I believe the bball coach was under the late great Win Palmer for about 10 years
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