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Mike White's high school sports chat: 08.23.22
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Mike White
11:07
Hey, good to be back. Football is four days away and it's time to talk again. We'll do this every Tuesday at 11 a.m. through basketball season. Actually, I enjoy this, conversing with y'all. Sure, some of the question will be idiotic and stupid. So be it. I'll let you know when they are. Let's get started.
11:09
Under the radar? Well, I wouldn't say "under the radar," but I think McKeesport, Steel Valley and Clairton might be underestimated. People shouldn't forget about Clairton. Steel Valley has two FBS recruits for Mid-American Conference. As for Palko's Lebo team? Man, they lost a number of good players. But when you get a program going, success breeds success. They'll be competitive. But no way as good as last year. Tecza and Heidenreich were special players.
LeboKid
11:09
Good morning, Mike. Based upon your pre-season reporting, are there one or two teams (all classes) that are flying under the radar which could have a big year? And a little birdie tells me that Coach Palko is quietly confident about Lebo's chances this year. Thoughts? Thanks!
Mike White
11:09
By the way, my first answer was to this question.
NorthSouth
11:09
Mike - has a girls basketball coach been hired at Mt Lebanon yet?
Mike White
11:10
Honestly, I don't know.
TM
11:10
When I was in high school (late 90's), WPIAL football teams weren't allowed to start practicing until August. This summer I was at a local high school and saw what looked like a full practice, multiple times. One night a neighboring school was there and they were scrimmaging. Have the rules changed recently to allow football to start early in the summer?
Mike White
11:12
No, you're wrong. Teams can practice as much as they want without full pads. Full pad practices started last week. And yes, teams go against other teams in practices. These are the 7 on 7 practices. They're legal. Everything you mentioned is legal. You just aren't supposed to have full hitting before the first practice in pads. Of course, we know some teams are a little liberal in that rule.
Small Schools need love too
11:12
It seems the small schools 3A, 2A, 1A, don't get the same attention as the big schools when it comes to tv broadcasts, articles, players to watch, etc.  These kids put in the same grueling effort, but we get to see the same 10 teams get all the attention.  Is it where the writers are located and easier to get to the bigger schools, or is it a decision made by the staff to concentrate more on the big schools?
Mike White
11:17
Where the writers are located? Good lord, give me a break.  Do bigger schools get more attention? Yes, they do. Why? Because they are bigger schools and studies have proven there is more interest in the general public in those schools. And generally, the bigger schools have more talented players. More players who are recruited. That's only natural. More players to choose from. Hold on, let me get a tissue for your tears. The stuff about kids putting in effort doesn't guarantee them attention. The kid who cuts grass in my neighborhood works hard, too. And we don't do a story on him. Hard work doesn't guarantee you attention. You should work hard because they want to. Because they want to be as good they can be. Not to get publicity. That's gravy.
Jim green
11:17
What are your thoughts on Mars vs Montour
Mike White
11:18
Interesting game. How will Mars be under Eric Kasperowicz and his son will likely be the QB. Mars won't be world beaters this year. They were 3-7 last year. But I think they will be highly competitive. Their conference isn't exactly full of juggernauts.
HsFan
11:18
Which classification do you think is the most wide open in terms of winning a championship?
Mike White
11:18
5A and 2A.
Coach O
11:18
Mike, have you heard about the allegedly bad situation at Mohawk? County DA investigating a hazing inciedent(s
Mike White
11:20
Story should be on our web site right now. Team has been put on hold. Friday game called off. Don't know what incident exactly was. May never know. Let's let things play out before we begin making accusations and spreading rumors.
Jimmy the Geek from Turtle Creek
11:20
Mike, any chance you can do another story about Coach K and Mars?  Did he used to Coach at PR?
Mike White
11:22
That's a great idea. I might have to get right on that. Yes, obviously you didn't know that Eric Kasperowicz coached at Pine-Richland  and administration ousted him. I'd be happy to tell you more. Do you want me to send you past stories on him? Maybe I can print out the stories on him, meet you somewhere and give them to you. You seem to have a great interest in him.
Ryan
11:22
Mike what do you think about Kiski coming into this season three big non conference games to start out the year go Kiski
Mike White
11:24
Woooo hoooo. Go Kiski. I've got a Cavalier attitude about them. They start the season with Plum, Pine-Richland and Laurel Highlands. Ohhhhh, it doesn't get any more exciting that that. I just can't stand the anticipation. Gooooo Kiski!!!!!
Coach O
11:24
Great to have the chat back Mike. Hope you guys are doing the podcast again too. Really appreciate your coverage. To me, Belle Vernon is going to pick up where Central Valley left off in 3A. I think they will run the table in the WPIAL due to returning talent and just not much traditionally strong teams left now in 3A. Maybe EF and Avonworth can hang with them. What say you?
Mike White
11:27
Hey coach O. Thanks for the kind words. Brad Everett, Steve Rotstein and I tape the first edition of the wildly popular Varsity Podcast tomorrow. Actually, you'd probably be surprised at how many downloads that podcast gets and we enjoy doing it. And yes, Belle Vernon I would say is a heavy favorite to win 3A. Although don't forget EF and one or two others. But no doubt BV is No. 1.
Coach O
11:27
Mike, have you heard about the allegedly bad situation with Mohawk football? County DA investigating a hazing incident. Their scrimmage last Saturday was called off and now this Friday’s game against Union has been cancelled.
Mike White
11:27
Addressed it a little above. Here is the link to story we have up on our web site: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2022/08/23/ha...
USC Alum
11:27
They'll disappoint again this year won't they ?
Mike White
11:27
And who is "they?"
SIngleA
11:28
Hi Mike. Gd to have you back. Have you heard rumblings about a fight in the Neshannock-Union scrimmage, which led to a coach from Union tackling a Neshannock player? Have heard coach is getting charges pressed on him.
Mike White
11:28
Have not heard this. Don't know if true.
Rooter
11:29
Mike, did North Hills miss an opportunity by not hiring coach K when he was available?  With Pat Carey, NH is looking at another season without a playoff win (he has never won a playoff game) and probably another mediocre record.
Mike White
11:31
Ahhhh, first week back and here we go again with the North Hills and Pat Carey questions. Should North Hills won a playoff game under Carey? Maybe. But I've seen North Hills a few times in the past 7-8 years. They ain't full of big-time, talented players. This ain't your father's North Hills.
chucky
11:31
Heard that Upper St. Clair will have a strong team this year. What are their chances in 5A?
Mike White
11:32
Many starters back. Aidan Besselman and Jamaal Brown are two really good skill players. Line play will be a key.
USC Alum
11:32
The football team. Come to think of it so will the Soccer teams and Golf teams also. Its ugly in Panther Land
Mike White
11:35
Ahhhh, so you're the USC hater. I think I remember you from last year. They went 6-5 last year without a really good team. Finished second in a pretty good conference. I admit the loss to Fox Chapel wasn't good. Year before they again finish second in a really good conference, but lost in first round of playoffs to very good Penn-Trafford team. 2019 they win a playoff game but again lost in quarterfinals. Is that great? No. But "ugly." C'mon?
Colt Country
11:35
Does Char Valley have a chance to make the postseason ?
Mike White
11:38
No. Absolutely not. Players shouldn't wear their jerseys to school on Fridays and games should be called off now. Will save the boosters a lot of work. Colts have no chance for playoffs. C'mon, man. Do we start already with questions of "does (insert team) have a chance at playoffs?" Of course, they have a chance. Now, they are in a really touch conference with Aliquippa and Central Valley, among others. But the top five teams in that conference go to the playoffs and there are eight teams in the conference. So yes, they have a decent chance.
WPIAL boy
11:39
What is the oldest Football program in the WPIAL ? What about the Commonwealth ?
Mike White
11:42
Not sure the oldest in WPIAL. Records show some schools now closed had teams in the late 1800s before WPIAL started. Greensburg started late 1800s. Ambridge 1906. New Castle 1892. Aliquippa 1910. ... I think I remember covering a few Aliquippa games that opening season. Joe's Gyros were being sold then up on the hill. Instead of arriving in a limousine for games, I think Don Yannessa arrived in covered wagon.
WPIAL Fan
11:42
like the ncaa tourney bubble, who were your first 4 out for the pre season fab 22 that almost made it but with a big season could make the fall edition?
Mike White
11:43
I'm not going to get into that. It's never a good situation to make public who were the last picks. Really, no one should care much about preseason Fab 22. The Thanksgiving Day Fab 22 is the one that matters.
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