JotCast | Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.09.25

Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.09.25

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Mike White

10:57

About one-third of the high school football regular season is already over. Can you believe that? So what are you thinking? How about the Shady Side forfeit? Who has opened eyes? Wanna talk any recruiting? Let's go. Fire away with questions and comments.

JP’zee

10:58

What’s going on up Beaver County way? Aliquippa going down to the Lopes and Central Valley 0-3?

Mike White

11:02

Well, JP'zee, need I remind you that Central Valley started 0-3 last year also - and came back to make the WPIAL championship. Plus, Central Valley hasn't exactly played Cupcake High the first three games (Montour, TJ and Belle Vernon). It doesn't look like this will be a great Central Valley team, but I wouldn't count them out. ... As for Aliquippa, I'm not surprised they lost to Avonworth. In fact, I picked Avonworth. Avonworth is good. And I don't think anyone thought going into the year that this was a really good Aliquippa team. Certainly not bad. But not up to recent standards. The biggest thing with Quips is I don't see that real good running back that they always seemed to have. And how good is OLine? But you still have to keep an eye on them. They will be OK. This week's game against Mars should be interesting. I suspect close game.

Burghgang

11:03

What are your thoughts on the decline of the gateway football program?

Mike White

11:06

Decline? True, they haven't been as good past few years, but it's not like they're horrible. Didn't help this year that starting QB is out for season with injury. But they were 3-7 last year. But they won the conference in 2023, tied for conference in 2022, lost in quarters in 2021, lost in semis in 2020, won titles in 2019 and 2017. So it's not like they've been winning three games for a decade now. Bottom line I think: They don't have as many good players.

BHSAlum

11:07

Hello Mike, any hope for Baldwin football? Can they do the reverse Aliquippa and get moved down a classification or two to become at least a little competitive?

Mike White

11:10

It's bad at Baldwin. Really bad. Defense can't stop anyone and they can't score. Outscored, 158-20, in three games. Ouch. This program has been in the basement of WPIAL before and is there again. They've lost 22 in a row. Will they win a game? Well before the season, you would've thought maybe this week against Chartiers Valley. But CV is 2-1. Then comes a good EF team and then conference play. Seriously doubt they'll win a conference game. So Baldwin could go 0-10 again. That would make their coach 1-29 in three seasons. Ouch.

Dan R

11:10

Having watched the Aliquippa-Avonworth game, are the Quips overrated or is Avonworth that good. Or maybe a little of both.

Mike White

11:13

Avonworth is good. That's been proven. Heck, they've been in championship game three consecutive years. Duke is doing it right for the 'Lopes. As for Aliquippa, it's like I said above. I don't think coming into the season anyone thought this would be a great Aliquippa team. The well of playmakers at running back might be running dry at Aliquippa. But I still wouldn't count them out on making a run at some point this season. I don't think there are a ton of super teams in 4A. The Aliquippa-Mars game this week will be interesting. I could see it going either way.

Mr Ed

11:13

The Shady Side situation is unfathomable to me from either side of it: 30 kids are too injured to play on September 5 after just one scrimmage and two games and only 10 were available a week after 33 were in uniform for a game? On the other hand, if they feigned extent of injury situation to avoid playing Clairton do we think for a second that 15-17 year old kids would go along with the cover story? No parent would speak out? Seems just as unfathomable. Did you have a little birdie land on your porch to shed light on the truth behind this story?

Mike White

11:16

Well Mr. Ed, I agree with you on a lot of your points. I think Shady Side really looked bad at the way it handled the situation. No one will talk over there. They just release statements. Sorry, but it's high school sports. Someone should talk. Then one day, they release a statement that close to 20 of maybe 40 players are injured. Then when they get a little heat from WPIAL, Shady Side releases another statement the next day saying that only nine varsity players are healthy to play. Six other freshmen could play, but are first-year players. So how did it go from close to 20 to about 25 in one day. This after you score 50-some points the week before and pictures showing you have 30 some players in uniform at the end of the game. (I will continue this thread).

11:18

More Shady Side: I agree with you that if they were not being forthcoming about injuries, so many people would have to be involved. I also agree that it's hard to believe no parent would've spoken up. I haven't talked to anyone at Shady Side this week, but they play Ligonier Valley. You think they'll play? C'mon. You know they'll play. (I will continue this thread).

11:21

Now, the question is should the WPIAL do anything. In accordance with PIAA by-laws, the WPIAL has on its web site that any team that forfeits a game without informing the WPIAL first could forfeit playoff rights. I don't know if Shady Side ever informed the WPIAL. But what's the WPIAL to do now? If they hand down any kind of penalty on Shady Side, isn't the WPIAL basically saying Shady Side lied? But they could penalize Shady Side for not letting the league know about the forfeit.

11:23

Here's what I think should happen. If Shady Side plays this week, they should have to play Clairton maybe Monday or Tuesday of next week. Because that game could be made up. I don't know for sure, but something tells me Clairton wouldn't mind playing on a Friday and then Shady Side a few days later. Bottom line is Shady Side doesn't look good on how they handled this. And is it just me? But if Shady Side had 40 players on the roster, they might have set a record with 25 getting injured in one scrimmage and two games.

Andrew

11:24

What do you think about South Park @ Steel Valley this week? I don't think a lot of people had the Eagles at 3-0 before the season started and rightfully so with all that they lost. Are they for real or do you think Steel Valley brings them down to earth?

Mike White

11:26

Well Andrew, I'd say a couple things. First off, South Park appears to have a "program" going now. In other words, they'll always be solid. Yes, South Park did lose many starters from last year, but the backups might have been good - apparently. Lastly, let's be honest. Class 2A isn't exactly crawling with quality teams. Myself - and I think a lot of other people - believe 2A is the weakest class. At least in terms of depth of quality teams. With all that being said, I'm not surprised at South Park. Steel Valley should be interesting. I think I'll take South Park.

Beaver County Fan

11:28

Speaking of Beaver county teams falling from the mountain top, how about Rochester? I believe they have only scored one TD through three games.

Mike White

11:30

Well Beaver County Fan, ya think maybe Gene Matsook knew something and got out? No, Gene thought it was time. You know, Gene had some other down years in the last part of his tenure. They were only 3-7 last year. Then again they were 9-3 only four years ago. But Gene said it was getting tougher and tougher to keep that program on the upswing. And you're right, they only have one TD.

Ryan

11:31

Does Kiski get this win on Friday Go KA

Mike White

11:32

They are 1-2. Gateway is 0-3. Should be a barnburner. I'll fighting Don Holls getting their first win.

Big Lou in Blawnox

11:32

Mike, can you reach out to any of the WPIAL board members and find out if there is a hearing to discuss what Shadyside Academy did? They should be required to pay Clairton the ticket and concession stand sales they missed.

Mike White

11:32

There is no hearing scheduled. Next WPIAL board of directors meeting is next week. If WPIAL wants to do anything, the board will discuss it at the meeting. But last week, WPIAL exec. director Scott Seltzer said he had no comment.

Big Lou in Blawnox

11:33

Will Shadyside pay the officials, the chain gang, and the lost revenue from Clairton's home game being cancelled? They took a lot of money away from people and a school that was counting on it.

Mike White

11:33

Well Big Lou, this isn't the first time a team has forfeited a game.

Big Lou in Blawnox

11:33

MIke you spent 10 minutes answering one question. This chat isn't effective or engaging.

Mike White

11:34

Well then leave if you don't like it.

Prodigy

11:34

I've seen some social media pages calling USC's backup QB Joshua Snyder a "prodigy". Your thoughts ?

Mike White

11:35

Next Tom Brady, without question.

Its Bad

11:35

Who is worse ? Mt Lebanon or Baldwin ?

Mike White

11:35

Baldwin by far.

104-0

11:35

There was a HS in Oklahoma or Kansas I believe that hung 104 on their opponent last week. Is there a WPIAL team that could do something like that ?

Mike White

11:36

I guess if they really wanted to -- and prove what?

Colts Corral

11:36

Can the mighty mighty Char Val Colts make it 3-1 ? Can they make the playoffs ? This new HC has done good thing

Mike White

11:36

No, they have no chance at going 3-1. C'mon, man. They're playing Baldwin.

11:36

What are your thoughts on South Allegheny? Are they a legit threat in 2A?

Mike White

11:38

Without question. First, because they proved themselves last year and I think they are pretty good this year. Plus, 2A isn't very strong. And South Allegheny is Cookin' up things. Senior receiver and freshman QB are Cook brothers. .... Yes, Cook. ..... Anyone see where I went with that. Who watches "The Bear?"

Big Lou in Blawnox

11:38

Talk about the money Shadyside cost Clairton, the refs, and the chain gang. Tuition is $40k to commute to SSA, $65k to live on campus. They can easily cut a check to Clairton for that 48 hour cancellation notice.

Mike White

11:38

Sure.

11:38

Thoughts on teams up 4+ TDs in non-section games giving their starting RB his 34-40th run?

Mike White

11:39

Happens all the time. Coachces will be coaches. C'mon, don't you know they need to work on things?

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