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Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.20.22
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Mike White
10:57
Well, four weeks of high school football season are gone? Who's really the best team in 6A? Is it now NA? Gateway lost last week, so who is the best in 5A? That's definitely the best classification, as far as number of quality teams. And there are some pretty big-time college basketball teams showing up in WPIAL past few weeks to look at a few local players. So let's talk. Chat has now officially started.
Waning interest
10:57
I won't bury the lead, I'll just get right to it and say it's time for a mercy rule that ends football games.

Baseball and softball already have 10-run and 15-run rules. Why not have a rule that ends a football game after a team is winning by, say, 55 points? New Mexico already has a 50-point rule in football.

Every year we see more games, particularly in the three lowest classifications, decided by more than 60 points. Last week there were games decided by 77 and 75 points. Three other local games were decided by 50 points or more, plus one each in Districts 5 and 9.

This was never an issue in the past. Changes in the game and changes in attitudes have led to higher point differentials. The strong have gotten stronger and the weak have gotten weaker. The winners argue it gives their younger players some playing time, and losers often don't have many options. 

It's argued that the losing coach can always pull his team off the field. If a coach is preaching to his team not to quit, that choice just won't h
Mike White
10:59
I don't disagree with a lot of your points, Mr. Waning Interest. There is a mercy rule in Pa. already in place. It's a running clock any time a team goes ahead by 35 in the second half. But I think you are right. I like the 50-point rule in the second half. The WPIAL's selective scheduling has stopped some of the lopsided games, but they still exist, unfortunately.
11:05
And getting back to the blowouts, I still say so many coaches still don't understand. I know coaches who privately can't believe what some other coaches let happen. Let's take the Sto-Rox over Charleroi, 82-7, game this past weekend. I know Sto-Rox scored on two punt returns, three fumble recoveries, one kickoff and an interception. But it was 56-0 in the first half and Sto already had scored on a punt return, fumble recovery and INT return. Final two TDs of half were on fumble recover and INT return to go up 69-0 at half. What would I have done? Told my team, "Look, if you recover a fumble or intercept a pass, just fall down. Don't return it." Then run QB sneak or off tackle every play. But that's just me.
Tw
11:05
South Fayette going through growing pains as the 5A level is much more difficult than their past level of competition.  Add to it, the number of 5A schools that were 6A in the last cycle.
Mike White
11:06
Yes, 5A is certainly more difficult than 4A - overall. Top teams in 4A can compete with tops in 5A, but there are more good teams in 5A. That's the difference. South Fayette is still very competitive. But hey, maybe SF teams haven't been as good past few years. But I think jump from 4A to 5A is rather significant.
Anon
11:06
do you think west a can beat the quips this Friday
Mike White
11:10
No. No chance. West A. should just keep the buses in Imperial and save the gas money. C'mon, man. Of course, they can beat them. Will they? I don't think so. But Aliquippa hasn't been quite as dominant as people thought they would be, at least in terms of scores. Remember, the opener against Armstrong was only 28-14. Then again, Aliquippa has allowed minus-22 and minus-29 yards offense the past two games. Those opponents weren't as good as West A., but Quips defense can be terrific. Offense isn't bad, either.
Coach O
11:10
Seeing them in person last week, did Hempfield pass the eye test to you in being able to go toe to toe with top 5A contenders or need to see them first against tougher competition starting this Friday?
Mike White
11:13
I liked what I saw. Yes, they haven't faced much competition yet. But they have some size and I like the athletes at QB and receivers. Their receivers are very good. QB is a good athlete also. You can sit here and say their schedule has been weak, and it has. But if your competition isn't strong, what is supposed to happen? If you're a good team, then you blow them out. That's what Hempfield has done. Biggest thing is getting kids who haven't a lot of success to believe they can beat the big boys. Don't be surprised if they give Penn-Trafford a good game.
Officially Yours
11:13
Mike need your help please remind the officials officiating the games are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. Fans please think before you speak. Would you talk to your wife, husband, or children the way you yell at officials.
Mike White
11:15
Thank you. I'd like to see a rule pass where an official can give technical fouls to fans. Two technicals and you're out of the gym - and also for the next game. ADs and school personnel can also control crowd behavior - but only some. Kind of hard to hear everything when there might be 2,000 people on one side of the stands. But anyone thrown out by an official must present ID and their name should be given over the PA system.
11:16
ESPN Hoop Gurlz does them. For example, here is class of 2023: http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_...
cdouble58
11:16
Do they have star rankings for girls basketball players? I have tried to find them and have not had any success..
Mike White
11:17
Ooops. The above answer was for this question.
Stat guy
11:18
Who are your top 5 guys in the wpial?
Mike White
11:19
That's hard to say. Do you want top five college prospects? Or top five "players" who aren't necessarily the top prospects? And do you want just seniors, or all classes? I'd have to think about it.
TM
11:19
USC vs PT sounds like maybe the biggest game of this week. How do you see it playing out?
Mike White
11:22
That's our game of the week this week. Two 4-0 teams. New USC AD Danny Holzer might be running around crazy with crowd control. Anyway, I think it's an even game. Peters has played little tougher schedule. Beating Seneca Valley was impressive. USC has been impressive, too. Jamaal Brown is one to watch at RB and Julian Dahlem looks like he might be better than thought for a sophomore QB. But I think everyone has been waiting for this game to see just how good USC is. This should tell us more. I'll take USC in a close one.
Ryan
11:22
Mike  when do my Kiski area Cavaliers win a game i think they win this week against north catholic and next week against Indiana
Mike White
11:23
Oh, here we go. The weekly Kiski Area Cavalier question. They're 0-4 and been outscored, 143-21. Need I say any more? Always like Sam Albert "The Great." But two wins look like the max this year.
Old Head
11:23
PT has a 6'4, 260 pound QB ...Can you recall any other past WPIAL QB's that size ?
Mike White
11:24
No, I can't. You're speaking of Conlan Greene.
Who are we ?
11:24
Is USC for real or just feasting on bad teams ? Please tell me  Mike Junko isn't gonna mess this up again this year ?
Mike White
11:25
Oh, here we go. The Mike Junko basher is back. Maybe go back to bed, and wake up Friday night. That game should tell more about USC.
NyceGamer
11:26
Quaker Valley put up 40 points on Friday. I know it wasn’t the stiffest test, but it had been 4 years since they scored that many in a game. New coach working wonders perhaps.
Mike White
11:28
Yes, good for Jacob Cappa. Comes from a coaching family. Dad, God rest his soul, was a jolly big guy coach at Riverview. Jacob's brother, John, was a coach. Nice win, but it was against Seton LaSalle, which obviously is not good. But QV hasn't been good. So, good for them.
Todd Haley
11:28
Are there such a thing as Golf team standings in the WPIAL ? Where would one find them ?
Mike White
11:29
They're not published anywhere. We don't keep track. Every section has a coach who is supposed to keep track and report to the WPIAL. But they aren't posted anywhere. Sorry.
Matt Canada
11:29
May be looking for a job sooner then later. Any high schools looking for a failed Offensive Coordinator with only a modestly successful record ?
Mike White
11:29
Maybe some in Canada.
Char Val Dad
11:29
Taking my kids to Youth Night this Friday night vs Blackhawk. I'm guessing we'll leave disappointed again. Why do we stink at this sport ?
Mike White
11:34
You're speaking of Char Valley? Well, maybe you could get a McConnell kid to play QB. Just a thought. But seriously, CV was 6-2 a year ago and finished only game behind Aliquippa in section. When Chris Saluga was coach until 2012, they made WPIAL playoffs eight times in 12 years. So they had their moments. There are no WPIAL championships in sight for Char Valley, but I hear ya. You just wish you could win a little more. 0-4 this year and been outscored, 155-46. Yikes.
Winning
11:34
What are 3 key elements that make a successful sports program in your opinion ? And why do some of these schools seem to be so lacking in one of those ? Does money play a factor because you see districts like Aliquippa and Jeannette do well and districts like Fox Chapel struggle ?
Mike White
11:36
If everyone had the answer to that question, they'd make many more successful teams. It's a hard question to answer. Don't compare yourself to Aliquippa. That's a unique situation. I'd say more than three things. 1. Talent. 2. The makeup and attitude of the kids. 3. Coaching. 4. Culture.
11:42
On another subject. Brad Everett had a tweet on this and I've noticed him, too. How about this running back at Oil City? Ethen Knox has 1,575 yards rushing in FOUR GAMES!!!! Incredible. Games of 304, 402, 445 and 424. Has 21 TDs, too. He's a 6-1, 175-pound junior. Maybe Oil City will get to face a WPIAL team in PIAA playoffs. I've also heard that playing for Oil City, Knox is pretty slick. ---- wooooo hooooo.
Hot Dog
11:42
What's your go to concession stand food ?
Mike White
11:45
Tough one. I haven't been to South Side Beaver in a while. But they used to have homemade pepperoni rolls that were tremendous. They used to host Class 2A track championships, too, and they had them there. Does anyone know if they still have homemade ones? I was at Ambridge probably 15 years ago (haven't had a reason to go to Ambridge game since) and they had these "hockey pucks." Fried dough with cinnamon on them. Unique and geez were they good. I'll also say the gyros at Aliquippa, too. But that was at the old "Pit," and the gyro meat was fresh. You know. Spinning on one of those wheels. Wonder if they'll have them at the new "Pit."
11:48
Chick fil A sandwiches are becoming more popular at some places, too. I'll take one of them any time, except when they leave the dang pickle on the sandwich and it totally ruins the sandwich. People say "just take the pickle off." Wrong. The bun still tastes like pickle juice and it's horrible. Can you tell my affection for pickles? So Chick fil A, please give the sandwiches to refreshment stands without the pickles. Let people buy a pickle separately for, like, a dollar. Got that? QUIT RUINING MY SANDWICH WITH A PICKLE!!!!
Dancin
11:49
Non WPIAL news; Rick Mancino hired again at Kennedy Catholic. How long until we see a relative of Oscar tearing a backboard off the wall?
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