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Mike White's high school football chat: 11.05.19
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Mike White
11:32
I wrote the story last week. Enrollment numbers I was able to get hands on, it looks like Pine-Richland would be 5A, but that's not definite. Some of the numbers might have changed. Crunching numbers with my "deep throat" source, Baldwin would move up to 6A. WPIAL would still have six 6A teams. We should know more definitely by end of this week.
Wike Mhite
11:34
If rumors hold true and Pine Richland and South Fayette both move to 5A next year that will be crazy!  I’d assume D7 5A is already the deepest district classification anywhere in the state - while blowouts seem to win the day in many other classes, this would provide a ton of fun 5A games each week!!
Mike White
11:35
Yes 5A would be really good. But I have Mars, McKeesport and Hampton moving down to 4A. Again, unofficially. McKeesport already is 4A but is playing up in 5A.
Saul Goodman
11:36
Mike, it was a beautiful (although cold) night last Friday, yet the attendance at historic Martorelli stadium was probably about 50-75% full.  Not sure about other games, but have you noticed a drop in attendance elsewhere?  Does the watered down playoffs take some of the urgency off attending the 1st round games (more than half the teams qualify in 5A, worse than the NHL or NBA)!
Mike White
11:39
Yes, there is a drop in attendance. I have written about this a few different times in the past few years. Big drop in playoff attendance. 6 classes didn't help, but attendance was dropping before 6 classes. WPIAL is now happy to get 15,000 at Heinz Field. People just don't go to games as much as used to, for a number of reasons. But in regular season, I still see excellent crowds at big games. I just don't think the average "Joe" who used to go to games doesn't as much any more. But I think student attendance is still excellent. These student sections with theme dressing every week are great. Past 10 years student section participation has been very good at a lot of schools. Not everywhere. But a lot.
Wike Mhite
11:40
No injury reports in HS - Mike, are you aware of any injuries where a major playmaker is missing in action for any top teams this week?
Mike White
11:40
Not that I know of. So go ahead and call your bookie for your bets.
Dave
11:40
Cherpak will be wearing his shorts watching TJ's potent offense and smothering defense do what it has done all year.  The Jag machine will continue to roll.  Agree?
Mike White
11:40
Stop Jagging me. Yes, TJ will win WPIAL this year.
11:41
Of course, I thought they were close to a sure thing last year and didn't.
Dan from Marshall
11:41
I remember going to Ambridge for a Pine-NA game semifinal a few years ago so something has changed?Is Fox Chapel a home game for Central?  Why doesn't Central play at Highmark any longer?
Mike White
11:43
You're right. My bad. The home game in the semifinals has been only this year and last year. First two years of 6A there were two conferences and 14 teams. So eight made the playoffs and semifinals were at neutral sites. I don't know why Central doesn't play any longer at Highmark. Just a guess on my part but I would imagine it might be cost.
Matt
11:43
Any chance McKeesport upsets Penn Hills
Mike White
11:43
Of course. I think it will be close. And I wouldn't consider it a big upset.
Peaked 'N HS
11:44
North Catholic lost last week.  It surprised me, how about you?  By now I thought that they would be a football factory after moving to the wealthy part of town.
Mike White
11:45
Well, they are not "Peaked." Although I must admit that the South Park victory against NC was very surprising. Maybe biggest upset in first round? Maybe even bigger than Riverside beating Burgettstown.
CJ
11:45
Do you think WPIAL will start pressuring schools with natural grass to move to the fake stuff?  I think it's fine to play on grass, dirt and sometimes mud (maybe I'm just old).  Plus, some schools just don't have the $$$.  Your thoughts?
Mike White
11:46
What? A league can't pressure schools to spend money on a new playing surface. C'mon, man.
Wike Mhite
11:46
I’m not sure why everybody is so concerned with cutting teams from the playoffs.  What’s wrong with giving these kids one more chance to suit up??  I’m also not sure that many understand how brackets work.  You can’t just cut the worst 2 or 3 teams or you gave to give BYE weeks.  I’m not sure many coaches are in favor of a BYE at this point in the season.  And if you cut, for example, from 16 down to 8 you may cut out some legit good teams at 9, 10, 11 who are just in a tough conference.  Just my 2 cents but I get there are a lot of 30 and 40 somethings out there that would give anything to have one more chance to play.  It’s ok to let teams in the playoffs!
Mike White
11:48
Wike, totally agree with you. Yes, there might be some "tomato cans" in the playoffs every year. But so what? Problem is the gap between haves and have nots these days has widened. As a parent of a few former high school athletes, getting a chance to participate in WPIAL playoffs is a wonderful thing. Now, there are some teams every year that know they're going to get clobbered in the first round of playoffs. But so what?
pops
11:48
For the football players that play basketball do you think they should be given any time off between the two seasons?
Mike White
11:50
If they want it. But I know a lot of them that might want to get a gym a few days after football. But coaches should be understanding if a football player might want a week off. But I know many two-sport guys who think nothing of going to play basketball a day or two after football. Remember, Aliquippa? Darrelle Revis?
Big Al
11:50
You mention key To McGuffy-Riverside is McG run D. Can you expand. They struggle there or good there?  River seems pretty run/pass capable which ever they need to do.
Mike White
11:52
Ben Hughes is a four year starter at QB for Riverside but I think Riverside would like to be able to run. McGuffey has allowed a decent amount of points this year in some games and McGuffey defense will be key. Maybe I should say McGuffey defense overall will be key because Hughes can be a weapon passing also.
GH
11:52
Mike - seeing that you cover the entire WPIAL in all sports and your other PG colleagues only cover one team and one sport, don’t you think you should be paid more than them?
Mike White
11:53
You are very intelligent GH. This is my option year on my contract. Hoping to go to arbitration next year and get that seven-figure contract. But to be fair, others who cover high schools cover numerous sports also.
DT
11:53
Thoughts on Derry this week?  Tough matchup.
Mike White
11:54
Central Valley will win unless Huss runs wild again. I wonder what Derry coach Sweeney is thinking? But we don't know. He is refusing comment to P-G this week. Why? Who knows.
Pat
11:54
Any chance of Bethel Park upsetting Gateway?
Mike White
11:56
No chance. Bethel Park should just stay home or go to other games. Forfeit game. Geez Pat, why do people constantly ask "is there a chance" of someone winning? Just stop it. Of course, there's a chance. They'll have to play really well and get breaks. But not many thought West Allegheny would beat Gateway in last year's semifinals.
11:57
OK that's it for now. Is there a chance anyone liked this chat? No. No chance. See you next Tuesday at 11.
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