Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.16.26
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Mike White
10:59
Well, we're a day late with the chat this week. I was being "manipulated" yesterday and out of commission. But I'm back today and ready to play - or chat - my heart out for you. So let's get started. And we'll be back to regular Tuesday chats next week.
11:02
Well about 1/3 of regular season already gone. Some teams have emerged as surprises. Some have slipped. Some new standouts have emerged. And coaching situations have emerged as one of the top storylines of season. How about Woodland Hills suspending coach Brian Tarrant for rest of season. They say violation of WPIAL rules as the reason, but a few birdies have landed on my patio roof and chirped at me that it's more than that. I don't know. And still no word from Clairton on what the heck is status of Wayne Wade. I guess stay tuned.
Eagle
11:02
North Allegheny is 0-3 against lower classification teams. That's far from an Art Walker squad. What is going on up in the Wexford Flats? Is this a 'rebuild' year? Something doesn't seem right here.
Mike White
11:06
No, this is not a real good North Allegheny team. That sometimes happens to the best programs. They're 0-3 for first time since 1984 when they started 0-4 and finished 3-7. There's no one that will beat Central in 6A. Maybe no one will even come close. But I still think North Allegheny might end up being as good as any other 6A team. I haven't seen NA play. Just saw some highlights. Seems like they don't have much in running game and maybe lack som gamebreakers. But I'm never counting out Art Walker-coached team. I'm not saying they're going to win championship, but they'll still be competitive in 6A. The Woodland Hills game was competitive last week --- and I'm tellin' ya, Woodland Hills is pretty dang good in 5A. I think Woody could challenge for 5A title.
JohnnyBoy
11:06
Let's talk about Central Catholic since I've been reading about all their DI kids.  If they are going to actively recruit (which everyone knows is happening and it's silly to pretend it's not), is that not going to trigger the other 6A schools to start doing the same?  That's going to leave a lot of smaller schools even less talented than they are now.  I don't see how this is good for high school football.
Mike White
11:12
Well JohnnyBoy I am not here to debate whether Central Catholic is recruiting. Everyone always says that. Well why has there been no proof of it? If there is, why doesn't someone go to the WPIAL with the proof? You know there are lots of kids who go to Central just because of the program. That's not even the issue. The issue that everyone complains about is the issue of boundary and non-boundary schools. Even Central people will admit they have an advantage. And that's the complaint. Let me just give you a number to think about. Every school must give PIAA a roster. Private schools list what school district each player is from. I happened to get a copy of Central's roster. Then I looked at Central's starting lineup for first game. Consider this: That starting lineup came from 17 different school districts. That's the issue. I'm not even saying Central is doing anything wrong. Ryan Lehmeier excellent coach. Excellent staff. Kids are great to deal with. But look at that number and tell me what you think.
Buzz
11:12
Will Central Catholic be adding more seating to its Hazelwood Field?
Mike White
11:14
No idea. It's not too bad. But for big games like last week's, there's not enough seating. But all games won't be like that. There will be enough seating for majority of games. Now the press box? That's a different story. Very inadequate for program like that. I'd like to know who designed that press box and thought it would be good enough? But it wouldn't take much to make press box bigger and better. Are you listening Steelers, U.S. Steel?
WPIAL Fan
11:14
It’s worth noting that Central Catholic’s offensive line did a great job against Pine Richland with 2 backups and one starter playing out of position.
Senior Center Jon Sassic (Penn State) was out – Senior Dom Petruzzi has filled in at Center for the first 3 game and done great.
Senior RT James Halter (Notre Dame) missed last week against Pine with an illness.
Starting RG Junior Roman Maurizio played RT against Pine
Sophomore Ty Ryan played RG against Pine
Even the TV announcers didn’t notice last week and repeatedly talked about the line dominating and being led by 3 seniors – 2 of them weren’t playing.
Mike White
11:16
I have no idea what the announcers said. But I pointed out in my game story that Jon Sassic was out and done for the season with a knee injury. And I also reported James Halter was out with mono. In my Prep Talk column on our web site today, I have a note on Sassic and his great attitude. Gotta really like that kid. Check it out and his comments. Could be good motivation for any kid injured, especially a top player: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2026/09/16/wp...
SteelMan
11:17
Mike- rematch of last years 2A championship this week with Steel Valley vs Seton.  My Ironmen look to be breaking in some new talent, but look pretty good.  What is your prediction?
Mike White
11:17
Seton, Seton, Seton. As Billy Idol might say, there will be a Rebel Yell Friday night after a good win.
SOUTH PARK FAN
11:17
0-3! AT LEAST THE WINGS LOOKED GOOD ON TV!
Mike White
11:18
No idea what you're talking about.
D9Dave
11:19
Your thoughts on who will win this weeks Freeport at North Catholic game.  By the way the Freeport football program went over the 600 win milestone with their win over Elwood City two weeks ago.  Freeport is once of the most consistent winning programs in the WPIAL.
Mike White
11:24
Yes, Freeport has a strong tradition. I think the days of Don Earley were the real glory days. But Freeport is still in top 20 of most playoff appearances in WPIAL history. I'll take Freeport over North Catholic. Gotta control North Catholic passing game.
Ryan
11:25
Do the Kiski Area cavaliers win this week in the non section game vs ringgold They looked good vs Armstrong last week GO KISKI
Mike White
11:27
They looked good vs. Armstrong??? Hmmm. Kiski lost 35-28. Couldn't have looked that good. Ringgold is only 1-2. I think Ringgold thought they might be better this season. But I think Kiski gets their first win of the year.
JohnnyBoy
11:27
17 different school districts is an issue, I completely agree.  I'm not running down the coaches or the kids.  Yes, the issue is ultimately the boundary vs. non boundary schools and why players are choosing Central over their home districts.  I don't need to debate recruiting, those who coach in the WPIAL know exactly what is happening even if the official channels don't necessarily reflect that.  They handled Pine very well but they should handle any public school they face.  I feel it is too big of a talent disparity for any public school in the area to handle.  It's also interesting that they play up in 6A where the teams are, let's be honest, not traditionally powerful aside from NA.  I just feel this is constantly going to be an issue and a factor until the WPIAL/PIAA steps in and makes clear rules.
Mike White
11:32
Yes, there is a disparity between Central and public schools. It's because of the issue I mentioned. This subjects has been debated for years and nothing has changed. It only gets worse. There are people trying to do something about it. A bill to let the PIAA have separate playoffs passed the state House earlier this year. It now has to go to Senate for vote. But right now it is stuck in Senate Education Committee. I doubt the PIAA will separate playoffs unless they are forced to. Because they are worried about getting sued. I have serious doubts about whether Senate will pass the bill. They may want to make changes to the bill and in that case, it has to go back to House. If PIAA is worried about getting sued, so be it. Make the change and stand up to the suit and see what happens. Casey Scanlan, man from eastern Pa. who has led coalition for the bill, has surveys. Probably about 80 percent of schools would welcome separate playoffs. PIAA is supposed to do what schools would want. But I have serious doubts.
Beaver County
11:34
Was looking into the scheduling for the year. WPIAL has done a nice job of scheduling strong matchups across the board. I noticed, however, that in 4A, for example, teams will play more out of conference games than in conference. Would the WPIAL be better suited to have two conferences instead of three to create more meaningful conference games?
Mike White
11:35
Not bad idea, but travel would be bad in some cases. No matter what you do, there are going to be some flaws. I think the WPIAL deserves credit for trying to make these non-conference games more competitive. Not just picking opponents randomly. Give them credit when it's due.
hsfan
11:35
Which 3-0 team is not as good as their record says and which 0-3 team is better than their record?
Mike White
11:39
I'm not hear to put negative light on 3-0 teams. Too much negativity in this world and we don't need more of it on high school kids. As for 0-3 or 0-2 teams that you might still hear from, I'll go North Allegheny, Moon and North Catholic as three.
Only Solution
11:40
Private Schools AA-A.     DO NOT play in regular season either.  Central will play Erie Prep, North Catholic and a few others and will have to play similar teams to them with more travel.    Soon, no one will watch or care about central other than their own people.  Media won't cover their games as much and magically those kids might go back to home districts, because all they care about is social media attention.
Mike White
11:42
I agree with you. Four classes for boundary schools and two for non boundary. Many believe that makes most sense. But I don't agree about not playing in regular season. Because then you are basically excluding them from WPIAL and PIAA and that would be a problem. It would be good for non boundaries to still play boundary schools regular season. Then they break for playoffs. Problem, though, is there is no private, Catholic school in WPIAL or West close to Central's size. That would be unfair. Closest would be Erie Prep.
Some Guy
11:43
It's not recruiting at Central. If you are a good football player and your parents are willing to make the sacrifice of money and time, why wouldn't you go to Central? Complain about the boundary rules, but don't accuse Central of breaking them. If Central never played another game, NA would win 8 out of every 10 years in 6A because they're the biggest 6A school in western PA. Then what? Maybe Central should play in 5A so USC and Peters wouldn't be able to duck them.
Mike White
11:45
I never said it was recruiting and I said above that many players go to Central because of the program. But easy on the money thing. Yes, there are Central players who pay the money - but certainly not all of them. They get aid based on need. And if they "NEED you," aid can be found.
hsfan
11:46
Central playing a more national schedule would ironically attract more kids to go there
Mike White
11:46
I didn't say they should play a national schedule. I said they can still play WPIAL schools in regular season and then separate for playoffs.
Football fan
11:48
At this point does central realty need to recruit.  It’s been 25 plus years.  Is assume most of those 17 school districts do not have traditionally have strong teams.  The place recruits itself from those districts.  I am also sure most of their city kids are getting financial help.  I think the more over looked program(s) in this convo are canevin and seton.  Sure they’ve improved their coaching but look at their rosters they have grown substantially in the last 5+ years they wrere on the brink of closing and now advertise on their website to PPS and districts similar to leave and come their and get financial help,
Mike White
11:52
Yes, Seton and Canevin are getting players, too. Again, I've said above that I never said Central is recruiting. Their program recruits itself. But again, the big complaint is someone can transfer there and not have to move. That can't happen in a public school. There are some bad private/Catholic school teams. But for anyone to say that Catholic/private/charter schools don't have an advantage, they're not telling the truth. I've heard even Catholic/private/charter school people say privately that they sure do have an advantage. But they don't want to have separate playoffs. Is there any better example of what can happen if teams can take players from anywhere than Sewickley Academy basketball? But they're just taking advantage of the rules.
Eagle
11:53
I agree with Some Guy and Football Fan. They're now paying NIL money to players in High School. The WSJ reported the top college players are buying $1 million homes. There is too much at stake today, whether you agree with NIL or not. If I had a player going D1 to Ohio State or Notre Dame in a school district with the greatest program, I would send them to Central or 'transfer' to PR. That's why they show up there. And I don't blame there. it is what it is.
Mike White
11:53
I can tell you this. There aren't players in WPIAL getting big amounts of money when they are in high school. They get it when they get to college.
11:59
Well that's about it for now. Some good talk about that always debated private vs. public. Wait. I hear my name being called by Good Lovin' at the bottom of my hill for a sandwich and cookie. Everyone, be good. We'll be back next week at our regular time - Tuesday at 11.
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