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Mike White's high school sports chat: 08.24.21
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Mike White
11:02
You wanna go to a high school football game? Go for it on Friday night. Leave your mask in the car. Sit next to someone. Watch an entire band. See a team play an entire schedule. "Real" high school football is back - and isn't it nice to see after last year? Of course, it will probably be 90 for the first games Friday. Well, the live chat is ready to heat up again. I'l be with you every Tuesday at 11 a.m. So, here's the run-up to the kick - and there's the boot ... let's go. Fire away with any questions or comments.
Tim
11:02
Who is the favorite in each 4A conference!?
Mike White
11:03
OK right off the bat, we want predictions. Thomas Jefferson and Belle Vernon in Big Eight. Greater Allegheny is pretty balanced I think. Plum lost a lot but still has RB Eryck Moore. I guess I'll go with them as the favorite. Obviously, Quips in Parkway.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:03
Always great for football to be back Mike.  Any teams you see from coming out of nowhere to contend for a WPIAL and PIAA title this year?  Kind of like what Quaker Valley did a few years ago?
Mike White
11:03
Nope. What Quaker Valley did you won't see often. It seems like the usual suspects again this year.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:03
Some of the numbers I'm seeing from various football programs (from 1A to 3A) seem low.  I really think it would help schools to consider co-ops to try and keep kids playing.  I know one just occured in D10 with West Middlesex and Sharpsville.  Any potential (or non-potential) ones you would like to see in the WPIAL?
Mike White
11:06
Yes, numbers at some smaller schools are low. That's not that unusual. I only have some anecdotal evidence. But I went to a number of preseason camps and coaches at schools at some schools from 3A to 6A say their roster numbers are up some. A few in the 70s. Central Valley's Mark Lyons brought up a point. Maybe numbers at laterger schools have bottomed out finally and maybe are coming back some.
11:08
As far as co-ops, yes I think there should be some. But it takes two to tango - or co-op. And it seems some schools say they don't want to lose their "identity" with a co-op. So they continue to play with rosters in the 20s. And in my thinking, there are too many schools in Western Pa. Or too many smaller ones. Would be better for education if some of them merged. I'm just sayin'. But again, it takes two schools to want to merge. Usually, one doesn't.
Quad North Fan
11:08
Great to have HS football back!!!! Here we go: Even though P-R isn't 6A, seems like 6A is going to have some PR flavor with their ex-coaches at SV and PCC. Two questions - do you think that the new coaches help SV get over the hump and win a championship, and will this be the year PCC actually throws the ball more effectively?
Mike White
11:11
As far as Seneca Valley? What's over the hump? Is it only winning a championship. Remember, they were in the WPIAL final in 2016 and 2018. Seneca Valley is kind of a sleeper team I think this year. Was at a practice. They have some good-looking athletes. OC Ryan Lehmeier is running Pine-Richland's offense after coming over from Pine. Head coach Ron Butschle handed him the keys. As for Central, I still say their success will depend on running the ball. Watch for Antonio Pitts to maybe have a big season. Quarterback is Payton Wehner. Only a sophomore. Not real big, but was a good runner. But Pine's QB coach - Todd Jochem is now helping out at Central. We'll see.
Ryan
11:11
What do you think about Kiski this year lead by Wilkins dilts hilty dunmire and lawhorn Moore and Calvin Heinle s
Mike White
11:14
Geez, that's a long name Wilkins Dilts Hilty Dunmire. Well, Kiski Area has seven starters back on both sides of the ball and "Beef" (Lawhorn Moore) has Division I offers. So things are looking for Cavaliers, especially in a conference that isn't as rough as the other two. After going 2-4, they should be happy with playoffs.
Quad North Fan
11:15
The other big story in 6A is Lebo. Their senior class has been touted to be the class to get them to the top. 3 year starter at QB and a talented WR and RB. Loss of lineman in the spring will hurt. The past several years they've beaten PCC a few times but can't get over the NA hump or PCC in playoffs. What's Coach Palko gotta do to get them in championship form? I say they need to consistently match the physicality of the top teams???
Mike White
11:17
I would somewhat agree to match the physicality. But it's a mentality, too, and Palko has been trying to establish that. Since he took over, this is the year he has been shooting for. But don't think it's all about physicality. You need skill also. Don't think Central and NA win with just physicality. They have skilled players, too. Mt. Lebanon has some, too. What does Mt. Lebanon have to do to win? Not fold like they did against Central in semis last year.
Quad North Fan
11:17
5 teams in the 6A playoffs this year. After PCC, NA, Lebo, and SV, who you have? Hemfield with a new coach and Norwin hasn't done anything with more talent than this year. Baldwin maybe, but its early for their coach. So I'm going with CM - good coach who is slowing building a program.
Mike White
11:19
That's such a tossup. Canon-McMillan would be my choice, too, even though Big Macs lost some key starters. These Big Macs don't totally have two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. But they might have enough to make the playoffs.
11:22
Back to the Quad North Fan question, Class 6A has become monotonous, with only eight teams in the class. Even the coaches have said that. Only one conference makes it a little boring. I don't know what will happen with new alignment for next year. Will there be even fewer 6A teams in the WPIAL? Would be nice if there were maybe 12 again. But that's based on enrollment.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:22
Mike, excuse me if you had an article about this, but I didn't see it.  What were the results of the high profile eligibility hearings yesterday at the WPIAL?
Mike White
11:23
There was only one hearing and I didn't get the result. There were about 100 eligibility rulings. They're not hearings. They make rulings on paperwork, etc. Sorry but I don't run down eligibility rulings on 100 or some athletes. If there is someone in particular you want to know about, ask.
Quad North Fan
11:23
In 5A, its a three team race in my book. PR, Penn-Trafford and GW. PR has a lot of outside stuff to overcome, Gateway has the highest profile kid in the QB, but I just think this may be Penn-Trafford year to get over the hump (which means win a WPIAL). Loaded up front with a D1 RB. Need to find a serviceable QB though. Besides those 3, what's teams like Woody, PH and (pick any 5A team from the south) have to do to get to the upper groups? Woody and PH QB's have to have monster years? South teams?
Mike White
11:27
We ranked Gateway No. 1 in 5A. Honestly, I think 5A is down this year compared to last year, at least in terms of depth of quality teams. A lot of the top teams last year lost many starters. You may not notice because it's all relative, but teams won't be as strong this year. We have Gateway No. 1 but they are far from a prohibitive favorite. P-R lost a lot of good players but still has talent and QB Cole Boyd could have a breakout year. But there are so many questions because of everything that happened. No offense to any of P-R's coaches. They might be terrific and get the job done. But the offensive coordinator is Max Devinney. He was still a backup QB at Pine only five years ago. Like I said, he might do wonders with the offense, but he sure could use some more experience probably.
Quad North Fan
11:28
Would be nice if PR was 6A again and Butler came back. 10 teams, 2 conference. 4 conference games, 2 crossovers against other 6A conference, and 3 crossover against 5A and/or local rivals. But I don't see more than 10 teams and I don't think its out of the question that its only 7 if PR is 5A, Baldwin goes back down and Butler stays D10.
Mike White
11:29
Agree. Pine-Richland was very close to 6A. I don't know if Butler will come back. A lot might depend on how they do in District 10 this year. Word is they might do well. If that happens, Butler might stay in District 10 because I can't see them having much success again in WPIAL. If it goes down to maybe six 6A teams, that would be awful.
11:30
OK, when will the first question come: "Does Team A have a chance against Team B." C'mon, I'm waiting.
11:34
Best games Friday are Moon at Seneca Valley, and Imhotep Charter vs. Central Catholic in Western Pa. Vs. Everyone Showcase at Wolvarena. On Saturday, Pine-Richland plays Harrisburg at the Wolvarena in the same event. Harrisburg only has a handful of starters back on both sides of the ball, but they are usually competitive. Harrisburg played only five games last year, but was 4-1.
Quad North Fan
11:39
Hearing big things about Imhotep. Something like 17 kids with D1 offers. So, here goes. Does PCC have a chance? LoL
Mike White
11:43
Central has no chance. Organizers of that event can save some money and just tell Imhotep to stay home because Central doesn't want to play. But Imhotep is loaded. Watch their linebackers. Enai White ranked No. 1 player in state. Has narrowed list to Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Texas A&M. Another linebacker Keon Wylie is going to Penn St. Lineman Emire Stinette is Rutgers recruit. Other future Div. 1 players. But I question who the QB is. But I'll say this. I remember in 2013 South Fayette played Imhotep in 2A state title game. Not many gave South Fayette a good chance. South Fayette won 41-0.
TS
11:55
Will Ringgold win a game this year?
Mike White
11:57
Oh, geez. Definitely the most asked question in WPIAL. Every camp I went to, that's what people wanted to know. I say yes!!!!!! They have Yough, Uniontown. They should have a chance. Plus, I think coaches think team has improved. Does Joe Montana have any eligibility left?
11:58
Hey, that's about it for now. Little slow for first week, but it will surely pick up next week after first games. Let's meet again next Tuesday at 11 a.m.
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