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Mike White's high school football chat: 11.05.19
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Mike White
11:00
Hey, it's Tuesday at 11 and it's raining. What's up with that. Think first time all year not good weather on a Tuesday. I know. Who cares? Let's just get started.
‘T’ from Green Tree
11:00
The Midwestern Conference in 2A was 4-0 in the first round. Pretty impressive! Riverside was the 4th seed and beat Burgettstown which was top seed I believe. Just an observation-tough football up there.
Mike White
11:03
Yes, "T." Maybe shouldn't be all that surprising. Beaver County and Lawrence County teams always seem to represent. Riverside beat undefeated Burgettstown. But maybe we shouldn't be all that surprised by that. Burgettstown beat Brentwood team by 16-13. Brentwood good, but not great. Good year for Midwestern but let's remember. Midwestern was 2-2 last year in first round and 2-4 two years ago.
Ballerz
11:03
Best game of the week?
Mike White
11:05
Well we've made South Fayette-Belle Vernon game of the week for Post-Gazette. But numerous good ones. When you get to semifinals in four classes, there usually are. I like Peters against Moon and NA-Pine-Richland. And I really like West Greene against Sto-Rox in Class 1A. What will Ben Jackson do? Does he get lot of yards again and put West Greene in title game for first time since 1993? Or does Sto-Rox prevail?
StanM
11:05
That Riverside win over Burgettstown was a big upset in 2A.  Do you see Riverside having a shot against McGuffey, or any of the remaining lower seeds winning this weekend?
Mike White
11:06
No. Absolutely no shot. They shouldn't show up. C'mon, man. Of course, they have a shot. I'll pick McGuffey but Riverside can most certainly win. Really helps when you have a four-year starter at QB in Ben Hughes. Key to game is McGuffey's run defense.
Ballerz
11:06
Give me your prediction of the NA/P-R game Friday night?
Mike White
11:07
Ok demanding Ballerz. I'll take Pine-Richland. Close game this time. NA was banged up last time but they better improve their pass defense.
Ballerz
11:07
Who is on upset alert Friday night?
Mike White
11:08
Maybe McGuffey. Avonworth better be careful. New Brighton is good.
John
11:08
Prediction for BV vs SF? I like BV by a couple points, that offense is too much to handle... 34-31
Mike White
11:10
Should be close. But I thought that last year and South Fayette won 28-10. OK I'm ready. I'll go Belle Vernon in a close one. First time in finals since 1999. Although I expect everyone will pick South Fayette. But can't go "chalk" all the time.
Dan Zabo
11:10
Mike,  Why is Pine Richland at home vs North Allegheny.  Aren't all second round games supposed to be neutral sites?
Mike White
11:12
Not in 6A. Only nine teams in 6A. Six go to playoffs. First two teams get a bye. WPIAL felt those two should still get a home game like other top teams in other conferences. So they gave them a home game in semifinals. Some feel nowadays that teams should get home games all the way through semifinals in all classes. Interesting thought.
Great North
11:12
Who wins this Friday - PR or NA?  Also, looking past this year - who is your champion for 6A next year?
Mike White
11:12
Look above. I'm taking Pine in a much closer one. As for next year, please. But probably Pine No. 1 heading into season.
WPIAL
11:13
Do you think Clairton Will win the next two weeks very easily I personally have seen them play they are huge up front and the Ogletree kid is amazing definitely a D1 athlete
Mike White
11:13
I don't know if they win "easily" but yes I believe they will win championship. They are rolling.
Saul Goodman
11:13
Mike, another year, another one-and-done for North Hills (9 straight years now). USC is good, but I don't think Pitt or Notre Dame are camped outside their practice field looking for recruits. The talent was pretty much even yet North Hills was blown out at home, while playing a very undisciplined game (3 personal fouls, numerous procedure penalties all in the 1st half).  Is there any hope that coach Carey turns this around or do you think he is over-matched as a head coach?
Mike White
11:16
Overmatched as a coach? Please. Teams lose it's always the coach. Are you the one who asks a question every week about North Hills and their coach? And talent was not even on both sides. One major difference. USC's quarterback. Ethan Dahlem is very good. He only played for one half but look at what he did. Was the difference in the game. North Hills was a decent team this year. They should be again this year. A number of younger players. One of keys will be QB.
steve
11:16
Mike:  Do you think that the time has arrived for HS playoffs on a more statewide basis than what has become generally an east v west set up?  As it is now, PA finishes at least one maybe two weeks after Ohio as it is and championships in foul weather are bad for all
Mike White
11:19
Pa. championships last few years are a week earlier than they were. Some districts in state might like statewide playoffs and no district playoffs. But I kind of like the district playoffs. WPIAL playoffs are a great thing. I don't want to see them go. And PIAA basically has destroyed east-west playoffs. For example, WPIAL 6A champ has to play someone from Philly in semis. That's not an east-west bracket.
TM
11:19
Over 50% of WPIAL teams make the playoffs. First round had some really lopsided scores (17 games were decided by more than 20). At any point does WPIAL look to cut teams and make district playoffs shorter?
Mike White
11:20
With this many teams in playoffs, there have been many blowouts in first round for many years. No, I don't think the WPIAL will cut playoff teams, not with six classes. In three of the classes, only eight teams make playoffs. I don't think that's bad. Under this system, some good teams didn't make playoffs, too. Like Laurel, who was 7-3.
CityLeaguePride
11:20
Given the name, you’d think this is a city league question, however an intriguing team I’ve been following is Sto-Rox it now looks like they have gotten healthy with return of Brennan Harris and Jaidon Berry whom both had huge impacts on defense vs Jeanette, are they now your dark horse in this field ?
Mike White
11:21
They most certainly can beat West Greene and get to the finals where I think they'd play Clairton. I think Sto-Rox can play with Clairton.
Mr Wonderful
11:21
Will USC's QB be a go for Friday and when oh when will Chartiers Valley be good at Football ? Do they need a coaching change or what is the issue ?
Mike White
11:24
Yes, I think Dahlem will play Friday. Held out second half last week just as a precaution. Even coach Mike Junko expected him to play. As for Char Valley football, you know there are a lot of teams in WPIAL who never win big. It's not just Char Valley. But I'm hearing CV is trying to buy out T.J. McConnell's contract with Pacers to get him to be next football coach.
2A Today
11:24
Outside of Wash High and Avonworth, who do you think has the best chance of advancing to the 2A Finals and what do you think the best games to see this weekend will be?
Mike White
11:25
Already gave ideas of best games this weekend. I'll pick Washington, Neshannock, Avonworth and McGuffey this weekend.
CityLeaguePride
11:25
With the new AD in Pittsburgh Public do you now think it’s time to dissolve the “ City League” for them to join the WPIAL or subdivision.  With their true enrollment USO would be 3A , Allderdice 4A or 5A, Westinghouse 2A and Perry single A. Can they compete?
Mike White
11:30
That's a tough call. City would be fine in WPIAL for basketball. But some of them would have tough time competing in football. You're incorrect on you classifications. Currently, Allderdice is 6A. They would probably get crushed in WPIAL 6A. Brashear is 5A. Would get crushed WPIAL 5A. University Prep and Carrick are 4A. UPrep would maybe be competitive. Carrick would probably disband football. Perry and Westinghouse are 3A. Plus, City has trouble competing in few other sports that they are in WPIAL with. Could be really bad. As far as football, I think 8 man football league might be way to go with some WPIAL teams. There is a four team 8 man league now in eastern Pa.
NorthSouth
11:30
Peters-Moon Rematch - who ya got?
Mike White
11:30
I'll take Peters.
Phill
11:30
Lebo gonna won?
Mike White
11:30
Heck no.
Wike Mhite
11:30
Continue to be impressed with the 5A depth!  I would not be surprised if any of the top 5 teams emerged the champ and truthfully 6, 7 and 9 could probably also win it all if they got hot.  Who do you have coming out of 5A Mike?
Mike White
11:30
Gateway against either Penn-Trafford or Peters Township.
NorthSouth
11:31
With Pine Richland moving down to 5A, does 6A have enough teams to be viable in District 7?
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