Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.01.26
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Mike White
10:54
It's sunny out, and the outlook for high school sports in Western Pa. is now bright, too, because THE CHAT is back. It seems you fans like it. I seem to get comments about it often. So thanks for the Post-Gazette to bring it back. I'll be here every Tuesday from 11 to noon to discuss high school sports. So enough of the small talk, let's go!
10:55
By the way, how long before I get the question: "Does so-and-so have a chance against John Doe High?"
Mr Ed
10:55
Welcome back Mike. With your first chat we can now consider the scholastic sports year to be officially underway. In all your years, can you think of another WPIAL football team with as many high level recruits at one time as this season’s Central Catholic?
Mike White
10:58
Well thank you Mr. Ed, you talking horse, you. Why the long face? As for Central, I will say a few things. They're absolutely loaded. Tight end and receiver and linebacker are the only positions they don't have a player committed to a power conference school or have an offer from a power conference school. They have four seniors committed to power conference schools - Jimmy Kalis (Ohio St.), Jon Sassic (Penn State), James Halter (Notre Dame), Zach Gleason (WVU). There have been a few teams in the past 40 years with four power conference recruits. Heck, Central had four a few years ago. But three at one position (offensive line)? Wow. And juniors and seniors with offers.
11:01
To finish on the Central Catholic talk, four seniors committed to power conference schools. Aliquippa's 1989 class had five: Sean Gilbert to Pitt; QB David Mike to Maryland; three Northwestern recruits - Willie Lindsey (DB), Greg Gill (DB) and Mark Hilliard (OL). That was the year Ohio State coach John Cooper brought his ENTIRE STAFF to watch Sean Gilbert play a basketball game. The next day, I went to Gilbert's house for an interview. He committed to Pitt that night. A memorable story.
We are Back
11:01
Mike, I for one am thrilled I have a high school game to watch on Thursday nights so I do not have to pretend I am interested in the crappy NFL game instead! Kudos to SNP.
Mike White
11:03
It's not Sports Net Pittsburgh who put it together, it's Karlo Zovko and Matt Farrago and people. Have to get sponsors, too, to have live TV. I've learned that high school sports can be very fickle on TV. Sponsors there for a few years, and then sponsors disappear. But good luck to them and kudos for those who put it together. I know some schools who don't want to move their games to Thursday night, even for TV.
COaching/Youth Football Thoughts
11:03
Those who saw the viral video of the local youth football coach understand that people like that are a reason why school districts struggle to find coaches anymore. How do you think that guy will act when his kid is in high school and he does not get what he wants?
Mike White
11:07
That was disgusting. But nowadays, nothing suprises me any more in youth sports. Seems fights happening more and more. People lose their minds. Heck, there was a shooting during a basketball event in Ohio a year or two ago. But heck, this isn't something totally new. It's just more. And we see it more because of social media. I still vividly remember walking off the court in a 6th grade basketball game at St. Sebastian and a parent from other team came out of the stands and jumped on my teammate, Jeff Madden, and started choking him. It was right by me. And that was many, many moons ago.
Guru
11:08
3A, 4A and 5A football are stacked!!! It is not crazy to think that 4 or 5 teams in each of those classes would be the 2nd best team in 6A. What a sad state of affairs 6A football is-besides Central (Who obviously have an advantage)
Mike White
11:11
You're crazy. You have no idea the difference between a 3A and 6A school. Astronomical. 4A to 5A is even a big jump. 3A to 4A is somewhat of a jump. No way in the world someone like Avonworth would be the second best team in 6A.
11:13
And by the way, I disagree with Guru that 5A is stacked. 5A is down, compared to recent years. Pine-Richland good enough to give Central a game in 6A and maybe even win. But overall 5A not as strong as it was, and I know coaches feel the same.
Tornado of Souls
11:13
I was at the Butler/Shaler game on Friday.  It sure looked like Butler is ready to return to the WPIAL.  They played hard and have some skill players (beat Shaler 17-14).
Mike White
11:14
Nice win for Butler. But remember, Shaler is now a 4A team. Butler's program looks like it has improved the last few years, but good enough to compete week in and week out in 6A? I'm not so sure of that.
Mr. Anonymous
11:14
Hi Mike, do you know what's going on with Tikey Hayes? First Penn State now Nebraska? Is Quentin Martin going to see playing time at PSU this year do you think? Saw he's RB3 on their depth chart.
Mike White
11:16
Have no idea about Tikey Hayes, other than it's sad. Lot of talent going to waste there. Obviously, some kind of problem. Let's hope he figures things out. And yes, Martin should see playing time for Penn State this year. Reports were good on him. Penn State has landed a number of WPIAL-City players last 5 years or so. But it hasn't worked out for a number of them and they have left. Then again, it seems half of college players leave schools nowadays.
Any truth to it ?
11:16
Rumor has it after the epic beatdown they took last week Mt Lebanon is thinking of going independent and scheduling some grade school teams they think they might be able to beat. Is that true ?
Mike White
11:16
You're just hilarious.
Greg Finley
11:16
Mike, I had an absolute blast doing halftime with you on Saturday. Thank you for hopping on with me and talking high school football.

We've got McKeesport and Montour on Friday night. Could this be a preview at the 4A championship down the road?
Mike White
11:18
Hey Greg, that's the game of the week in Post-Gazette, too. You can bet Kemon Spell will run more than the four times he did in last week's game against Brashear. Can Montour hold him below 200 yards? There's a chance this could be championship matchup, but some other pretty good teams in 4A, too.
Ryan
11:18
Who wins Kiski vs Highlands on Friday night i think it will be a close game and Kiski wins Go Kiski
Mike White
11:20
Ahhhh, the Kiski fan is back with the weekly Kiski question. I think I'll take Highlands. Tevin "From Heaven" Owen-Cratsenberg might have another big day.
TW
11:21
get to see BooBoo Armstrong this week at CV.  Will also be looking for Yogi!
Mike White
11:22
Good for you. But Yogi won't be there. Yogi Berra died a while ago. But remember, no one goes to that restaurant any more because it's too crowded. ... And also, you can observe a lot by just watching.
NH
11:22
Rumors are North Hills fans took over North Allegheny stadium the other night... I for one would love to see Martorelli Stadium rocking again. Lets get those flashing red lights on that house back
Mike White
11:27
I saw pictures. Was tremendous atmosphere. North Hills side was completely filled. Don't see that often at NA. As for Martorelli, North Hills plays Seneca Valley there on Thursday. The flashing red lights you're talking about came from the Rowdie Rooters for years. Shame they won't be back. I think it was a few years ago someone new bought that house on the hill above stadium where Rowdie Rooters would gather. They didn't want Rowdie Rooters there any more. Wouldn't let them in. I can't imagine why someone would not want 100 or so people in the back of their house, shining red lights, having a few cold ones and blaring a siren for a few hours for 5-6 Fridays in the fall??? Who wouldn't want that??? Ha ha.
Mighty Mighty Colts
11:27
Chartiers Valley has a brutal non conference schedule looks like. Is it the AD that is responsible for making the schedule or the WPIAL or a combination of both ?
Mike White
11:29
Here's how it works. Schools can schedule a game of their choice the first week (used to be called Week Zero). They don't necessarily have to choose to play that week. They can have a second scrimmage if they want. But the WPIAL schedules all games for the next nine weeks. So Chartiers Valley scheduled only West Allegheny. CV did not schedule the other nine opponents.
Which is it ?
11:29
Is USC that good or Lebo just that bad ? Which is it ?
Mike White
11:29
I think it could be another long year for Mt. Lebanon. USC is one of the best teams in 5A.
Be honest
11:29
Can we just be honest and say that if Eli Heidenreich went to HS is Texas or Florida there's no way he is even looked at by the Steelers ? The only reason he is there is because he went to the same HS as Weidl.
Mike White
11:31
I don't know about that. I mean, Eli was invited to the combine. And he did some impressive things at Navy and he is somewhat versatile. I admit I am surprised he made the team, but no other running back excatly knocked your socks off. Maybe he'll be a good special teams player. Personally, I don't think he's a running back. I think he's better suited to be a slot receiver. He's really never been a running back.
Mr Ed
11:33
Obviously Hopewell very good but how much should we read into that loss for Avonworth regarding their potential this year?
Mike White
11:37
I'd say a few things. I think Avonworth is still one of the top teams in 3A. Jaden Jones is really, really good. Remember, Avonworth didn't have its leading rusher from last year - Dimitri Velisaris. Avonworth breaking in a new QB - a sophomore. All of Avonworth's skill players are experienced - and good. And I think late in the season you will see Jones running wildcat QB - and that could be a problem for defenses. On top of that, Hopewell is good and will be good for next two years with all those skill guys who are juniors. So, put that all together and it's not shocking what happened. The thing I want to see is how much James Armstrong carries the ball. He had 28 runs last week. Not all were designed runs. Some were scrambles. But there's no way he should run 28 times in games, unless it's a playoff or big game. No way he lasts entire season if he runs 28 times a game. But line might have to do a better job protecting him.
hsfan
11:37
Do you agree with the WPIAL giving perceived "good" teams tough schedules and lesser teams easy schedules. It creates exciting matchups, but can also wear on teams running the gauntlet.
Mike White
11:42
I understand what you're saying a bit, but the WPIAL is between a rock and a hard place. They get criticized no matter what they do. If they pick non-conference games randomly, they have some good teams playing some not-so-good teams and people complain. Teams that are generarlly mediocre to below average don't want to play top teams in non-conference games. It's why a few teams left the WPIAL, but came back because they got more competitive non-conference games. But I also understand how a good team can get beat up playing 3-4 other good teams. But my point is, no matter what the WPIAL does, someone will complain. They've been big on competitive balance lately and that's what they're trying to do.
One pick
11:42
If you could only go to one HS game in one stadium, eat one food for the concession stand and watch one band at halftime what or who would it be ?
Mike White
11:47
A number of stadiums I like, but I've always said, and I'll continue to say North Hills' Martorelli Stadium. Yes, I'm from North Hills, but it's not bias. Lot of other coaches feel the same. There is history there and I love how it sits down in a pit and how there is sort of a mist or fog that often hangs over the stadium at night. There is no track around the field, so stands are right on top of the field practically. There's just a feeling there. I know Wolvarena has lot of character and history, and same with Aliquippa's stadium, but I'll still take Martorelli. As for concession, I rarely eat at concession stand, so I couldn't tell you that. And I have no idea about bands. I always used to like South Fayette's Green Machine, but I haven't seen them in a while. Some big schools make a lot of sound at halftime, which is cool. But I usually have my head down at half, writing some of a story, looking at stats, or putting stuff on X. Covering a game is a lot different now than maybe 25-30 years ago.
11:57
Well, there's the final buzzer for the first chat of the year. Post-game is turkey sandwich on those great Trader Joe's buns. Let's talk next Tuesday at 11 a.m.
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