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Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.17.24
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Mike White
11:00
So, four weeks of the high school football season are complete and things are upside down with some teams. Leechburg, South Allegheny, Jeff-Morgan, Deer Lakes all unbeaten. What gives? Well, good for them. But you know what has a little to do with this? The WPIAL scheduling. Besides Week 0 games, WPIAL schedules all games. A few years ago, WPIAL started making non-conference games based on competitive balance. In other words, teams that have been good play good teams in non-conference. Teams not-so-good play teams not-so-good. I say it's been a good idea, although some good teams really have rough schedules. .... That was my monologue. Now let's chat.
Bob
11:00
With safety in mind, would the WPIAL ever adopt the NFL’s new kickoff formula?
Mike White
11:01
I don't think it's ever been discussed. And rule changes like that are not made by WPIAL. The WPIAL and PIAA follows National Federation of State High School Association rules in all sports. A rule change like that would have to come from national association.
Fan
11:01
This Clairton Bears team is one of the best I’ve seen they are so deep at many Positions and the The ninth grade freshman Brandon Murphy doesn’t get much playing time that’s how loaded they are and he has a scholarship from Syracuse already. I hope Fort Cherry makes it to the finals because I would love to see that matchup but I think Clairton wins by four touchdowns.
Mike White
11:03
Yes, Clairton has been awfully impressive. Defense has yet to give up a touchdown. Some good games for Clairton upcoming, but I think right now, they have to be a team you would say is a favorite to get to Acrisure. And how about Clairton announcing last night to name their renovated stadium Tyler Boyd Stadium. Pretty cool. But what about Neil C. Brown?
4A Basketball
11:04
Never to early to talk basketball.  With 4A kind of leveling out.  Who do you see as the top teams.  Still have some good talent, with Carmichael (Avonworth), Mayo (Beaver), Moore(Belle Vernon) and then Bauman and Lang (Knoch).  Just wanted to get your way too early thoughts on 4A basketball!!!
Mike White
11:07
When you say 4A leveling out, it's mainly because Lincoln Park is now 5A. Hampton was in 4A championship last year, but is now 5A also. Both teams were gutted by graduation and, of course, Meleek Thomas leaving Lincoln Park. I don't know if you can now pinpoint one team in 4A as team to beat. Pretty balanced seems to me. Yes, all the teams you mentioned are probably worthy of top five in preseason.
40stripes-retired
11:08
Hi Mike.  How about the NC Hurricanes?  New coaching staff led by Fred Mozzzocio, 3-0 with the game versus Highlands shortened by lightening/thunder, much improved roster size.....after Konch on Friday, their biggies are on the horizon - @ Quips, @ Montour and @ West Allegheny.  Home to much improved Ambridge and much improved Blackhawk to end the season.  I see the Canes as a possibility for third place in the Parkway.  Your thoughts?
Mike White
11:10
Fred is obviously a good coach. He proved that at Neshannock. New Castle has beaten General McLane, Hopewell and Yough, hardly powerhouses. But hey, 3-0 is 3-0. And after recent years at New Castle, they should feel good. But I think it's wait-and-see on this team yet. I wouldn't be surprised with a win against Knoch. But then it gets real with Aliquippa, Montour, West Allegheny, etc. Do they have a chance at third? For sure. But I'd still put those three teams ahead of them right now.
Mr Ed
11:11
Of the teams that are off to undefeated starts that have not done that in years: Deer Lakes, Leechburg, Jefferson Morgan, South Allegheny, Ellwood City, throw in New Castle who has great history but 1-9 last couple years, which of those do you think will have the most staying power as the season progresses and could make noise in the playoffs?
Mike White
11:12
I would say Leechburg, Ellwood City and South Allegheny. I say South Allegheny and Ellwood because they are 2A and 2A is not real good, as far as depth of quality teams. I think Leechburg is good, but 1A has a number of quality teams. More than 2A.
‘T’ from Green Tree
11:12
Wow! Ellwood City is undefeated! I read your great article on Dan Bradley-what a winner.
Mike White
11:13
I still don't know if people realize how hard it is to be a head coach for football and basketball, just because of the time involved. He is a good story.
Jimmy the Greek
11:14
Mike, some people are calling the Allegheny six the "SEC" of 5A. Are the top 5 teams in 5A all in the same conference?
Mike White
11:15
No, they are not. How about Pine-Richland? And we will see exactly how good South Fayette is in the next few weeks. I think South Fayette is pretty good. But how good? Let's wait on that one.
Bill
11:15
How often do personal grudges and willingness to pander to fans/alums overtake the best interest of the players on the field? For example about 10 seconds into the 2nd quarter last  Friday, Central Catholic was up 23-0 over Mt Lebanon and went for an on-sides kick. Then before halftime CC kept calling timeouts to try to score again (already up by 30+). I know that has traditionally been a rivalry but at some point the coaches need to set a better example for the kids, don't they?
Mike White
11:16
I have no idea about any "personal grudges" that you speak about. But I have no problem with a team trying to score late in the first half, up by 30-0. It's the dang first half.  And 30-0 isn't even mercy rule. C'mon.
Beaver County Fan
11:16
CV vs Beaver on Friday. Who do you have???
Mike White
11:18
I will be there. Man, that's a tough one. I feel like it's almost a tossup. Make me pick -- and I'll take Central Valley. But I'd like to know about Central Valley QB situation. Returning starter Steven Rutherford did not play last week. I don't know if he was injured or not. But the Ambrose kid, a sophomore, played and threw for more than 200 yards. And I didn't see Jance Henry on the rushing stats. So I don't know what's going on there.
WPIAL Lifer
11:20
Hello Mike. Even though week 0 vs. Quips was called off, it’s hard to imagine anyone in 4A or below having a tougher 5-game stretch to open the season than Belle Vernon. I think their game vs. S Fayette is one of the more intriguing games of the week. I’ll take BV to win a close one on the beach. What say you?
Mike White
11:21
Yes, Belle Vernon has had it tough. Aliquippa, Central Valley, McKeesport, then South Fayette and TJ. But how about McKeesport? Lake (Ohio), which started 4-0, Peters Township, TJ, Belle Vernon and then Upper St. Clair. That is "really" tough. But it goes back to what I said in beginning of chat. WPIAL scheduling games based on competitiveness. In other words, if you've been good, you're going to get good non-conference opponents. If you're a tomato can, you're going to get feloow tomato cans.
Sad Blue Devil
11:22
Mt Lebanon football likely to go 0-10. 15-0 to 0-10 in 3 years seems historically unprecedented. How do you reconcile this
Mike White
11:23
Not sure I have an answer. But did you ever think maybe they just don't have the players right now? I mean, look at Beaver Falls, too. They've been in 2A championship four consecutive years. But they're also 0-4. It happens in high school football. Also makes you realize how good of a coach Bob Palko was.
Wpial
11:23
Does North Allegheny have a chance at the state title?
Mike White
11:24
Of course they have a chance. Is it a good chance? I would say no. This team doesn't look to be as strong as past two. That doesn't mean NA won't win WPIAL again and even get to state championship. But I think teams in east are stronger.
Wpial
11:24
Bethel Park will be 5a champs, agree or disagree?
Mike White
11:25
Sorry, not making championship prediction yet. Long way to go. Yes, Bethel could be, but 5A has a number of good teams, as we've said before.
Kicker
11:25
Biggest issue with the NFL kickoff rule in high school is there are very few kickers who are talented enough to place the ball inside the 25 like the NFL kickers do
Mike White
11:26
I disasgree with that one. If the kickoff stays where it's at for high school, the majority of high school kickers don't put their kickoffs into the end zone. They would place many kickoffs inside the 25. That's where most of them go now.
BC fan
11:26
In your article about WPIAL players in the NFL, you included Kevin Givens from Altoona but not James Connor from Erie although both were in the WPIAL at the time but no longer. What gives?
Mike White
11:30
That's a little "editorial license" on that. But here's my reasoning. Altoona was in the WPIAL all four of Kevin Givens' years. McDowell was not in the WPIAL for Conner's junior and senior years, when he really "played." Sure, Conner "played" in the WPIAL, but not even for his final two years.
Classes
11:30
Why is wpial 6a worse than 5a most years
Mike White
11:30
Because 6A doesn't have many teams any longer.
Second-hand Rose
11:30
Mike, with KDKA radio extensively covering high school football and basketball, do you think they would at some point consider broadcasting a third WPIAL sport? My own choice would be wrestling, since Western Pa. is a hotbed for the sport and we now have both boys and girls wrestling. I believe KDKA's Dan Zangrilli and Johnny Lee would be excellent as wrestling announcers.
Mike White
11:34
Ahhhh, no. ..... But I agree with you that Dan Zangrilli would make great wrestling announcers. I know Johnny Lee is very familiar with the sleeper hold and Johnny has claimed to me that he taught George "The Animal" Steel how to correctly jump off the turnbuckle. Dan Zangrilli has been known to have a "foreign object" or two on him, so he would be able to pick those things out on any WPIAL wrestler. I also saw Greg Gattuso once give Johnny Lee a suplex on a Brookline street. So Johnny and Dan obviously know their wrestling. They'd be good. I also think it would be cool to have a wrestling card one night inside Johnny Lee's "Coach's" restaurant/bar.
WPIAL Lifer
11:35
Any word yet on how the WPIAL is going to determine wild card teams, other than sheer opinion? At least in Class A, the outcome will likely limit the playoff qualifiers from the Tri-County South (for obvious historical reasons), but now that conference play is in full swing, I think it’s time for the WPIAL to shed a little light on what the committee is looking for and how it will justify selections.
Mike White
11:37
Yes, the committee will decide wild card teams on opinions. First time for that. That was pointed out in the spring. What will they use for criteria? I don't think they have to put out a list of guidelines. It will be the same as they decide seedings. They will look at record, strength of schedule, etc.
Freedom
11:37
Favorite stadium to catch a game in the wpial?
Mike White
11:38
There are a number, but I still go with North Hills' Martorelli Stadium. But it's still not quite the same without the Rowdy Rooters. The house with the driveway where the Rowdies camped out was sold and the new people didn't want the Rowdies there any longer. Long live the Rooters.
40stripes-retired
11:38
Mike, I agree whole-heartedly that it's too early to tell.  Different attitude at NC this year, though.  Coach Mozzocio has the Red Hurricanes in the right frame of mind, which is a key component for success.  Quips, Montour and West-A will be big tests for the Canes.  Bridgers and Cougars definitely not to be taken for granted.  Sherm McBride has been building the Bridgers for the past three years.  Jake Wickline has brought a new attitude to Blackhawk.  If the Canes can grab one of the first three then the last two, I see them as the AAAA wildcard.
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