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Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.28.21
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Mike White
11:00
Well, happy half season to all of you. Hard to believe but high school football regular season is already half over. But that means still 11 more weeks counting playoffs. Care to discuss anything of this half year? Or even in any other sports? Let's go. And who will be the first to ask does Team A have a "chance" against Team B?
Benjamin
11:02
Who do you see getting the last playoff spot in 4A section 3? QV Hopewell or Ambridge? And will either have more than 2 wins?
Mike White
11:05
It's all about the Benjamins, right Benjamin? Hey, you're guess is good as mine as to who will get that final playoff spot. Four teams go from that conference, which means a not-so-good team will make it, and that's being kind. Quaker Valley has been outscored by average of 34-7, Hopewell 47-8 and Ambridge 39-5. So pick a name out of a hat. I'll go Quaker Valley. Ambridge would be next pick.
Football Fan
11:05
In class 6A football. Central NA Lebo & Seneca seem to be the top teams this year. What can the WPIAL do to make 6A more competitive? NA played Central last week and Lebo this week. 2 of those 3 teams will be in the 6A championship. That makes for pretty boring match ups when you know who’s going to be in it.
Mike White
11:08
Well football fan, I've already written about the problems of WPIAL Class 6A. Boring? Maybe yes. Monotonous is better word. Same teams at top every year with only one conference. Games with the top teams are good games, like Central and Mt. Lebanon next week. I don't know what WPIAL can do. New alignment for next year and it won't change much, if at all. And 5A teams don't want to be in hybrid conferences with 6A teams. So I don't know what answer is, except live with it.
Hank
11:08
Hey mike, what do you think the schedule will look like for the wpial championships now that they are over two days? Do you think that will help or hurt attendance?
Mike White
11:09
Games over two days - on a Friday and Saturday. Honestly, I don't think you get as many of the average fans (no loyalty to any school) that go as much any more. If they get 15,000 over the two days they should be happy. And don't expect all the games to be televised live by AT&T. Just a few of them.
LeboKid
11:10
This year's edition looks to be Mt. Lebanon's best team since the championship year in '85. Which team presents Lebo with the biggest challenge and why? Thanks!
Mike White
11:12
Ahhhh, not so fast LeboKid. The 2000 team won the WPIAL title in final title game at Three Rivers. Sam Mathews star RB. Chris Haering excellent coach. They have had some other pretty good teams in some years since then also. This team certainly has ton of potential and would not be surprising if they won 6A. This is Bob Palko's third year and the team they've been shooting for. But they have to prove it on the field - and they haven't done that yet. Even if they beat Central, you have to do it when it counts in playoffs. They didn't do that last year.
BigKetchupBottle
11:12
Do you think Campos would be retained if Pine wins the wpial championship? Even with potential school board changes coming up?
Mike White
11:13
Winning championships means nothing to Pine-Richland administration and current school board. Didn't we just learn that with Eric Kasperowicz situation? Learn to expect anything with this administration, but a lot will depend on school board elections. Remember, there could be four new school board members.
Gator fan
11:13
do u think Brad birch is a bust at gateway because I’ve been to all the games and it looks like the jump from A to 5A looks to much for him
Mike White
11:17
A bust? C'mon, man. How about we not call high school kids a bust. Geez, take it easy. But a bust? He's thrown for over 1,100 yards and is second leading passer in WPIAL. How is that a bust? Oregon offered a scholarship. Do I think he is a Power 5 QB who can play at a school like Oregon? Not right now. He throws a very nice ball and has a good arm. And maybe he gets to be a prospect at that level in future. But I don't think he's Power 5 right now. No knock on him because he is talented, but he's got some things to work on. No. 1 is getting bigger and stronger.
Gater fan
11:17
Gateway prob win the. Conference Because there only 2 teams in there that are any good besides gateway and Penn TraffordWho do you think could win that conference
Mike White
11:18
Who do I think could win that conference? It's easy. It's a two-horse race. Gateway and Penn-Trafford. And I'll go with Gateway.
Quad North Fan
11:18
Was a little surprised with the ease that PCC handled NA. Easily could have been 31-0. Biggest surprise on both sides was essentially same thing - both PCC and NA now run spread offenses. PCC's defense looks like the real deal now and their offense is a lot different than years past. NA looks solid on D, but besides long run, really nothing much on O.
Mike White
11:21
Central Catholic threw 13 passes in the first quarter? What's next, pigs flying? Yes, they've changed their offense. Lot of tempo now. Quick drops by QB Wehner and getting passes out quick. Offensive coordinator Steve Bezila is running things. If you think it has some looks of Pine-Richland offense, you're right. And maybe that has something to do with Todd Jochem now a volunteer assistant at Central Catholic. He was QB coach at Pine for Eric Kasperowicz and worked with DiNucci, Jurkovec and Spencer. You think that has something to do with Central's offense?
Quad North Fan
11:21
Big games in 6A this week - first is NA at Lebo. Lebo's win over Peter's looks like their best to date. Saw that Tecza left game early last week. You hearing if he is ok? Also, what do you think the key to game will be. Mine - NA's OL vs. Lebo DL and vice versa.
Mike White
11:24
I have no idea about Tecza status. If he doesn't play, that's a big loss. Mt. Lebanon definite favorite. NA's offense lacking against Central from what I saw. They lack a running game and use two QBs. Dinkins looks like a playmaker. They'll need some plays from him against Lebo. Key will be if NA can run the ball or not?
Quad North Fan
11:24
Big game for Seneca this week. After an opening loss, they've bounced back well. I see PCC's DL rounding into form and think that's a tough matchup for SV. With new staff though, they have a punchers (passers) chance with their QB and Lawson. But if SV defense cannot stop Carothers with 6 in the box, it could be a long night since PCC now has a bit of a passing game.
Mike White
11:26
Yes, Seneca has bounded back nice since opening loss to Moon. But this will tell a lot about Seneca. Seneca certainly needs a staunch effort from defensive front and LBers against Carothers. But it's no longer worry about Central's running game. As I said above, they are playing fast and doing some damage with passing game and short passes. Wehner is nice QB for a sophomore. Needs to keep improving but he seems to be developing in this offense. His father, Jim, a former head coach, must have taught him everything. Ha ha.
Coach O
11:26
Mike, what do you think the potential ceiling is for Quenton Martin? First time I saw him and only for a half, but against TJ no less he appeared to have some of that “man playing against boys” look to him. By the time he’s a senior…..
Mike White
11:28
I've said before, the word I keep hearing about Quinton Martin is a "freak" as in "freak" of an athlete. I saw him first game his freshman year last year. He didn't do a ton, but saw enough of him to know his potential was off the charts. Good in basketball, too. I will see him first time this Friday against Laurel Highlands. If he plays, of course. Injured his knee slightly against TJ. He told me Sunday he is fine but was unsure if he would play. I've heard he can put down some pretty impressive dunks in hoops, too. Already some major-college offers in football.
Quad North Fan
11:29
Pine-Richland seems like they are getting back into form now that competition is back to 5A. Have not been impressed by what I've seen in that class outside of Moon and maybe Peters. Penn Trafford getting handled by Belle Vernon? Gateway goes down to TJ. Should be wide open down to the wire.
Mike White
11:31
I said beginning of year that no way 5A is as good as the past few years. Just not the depth of quality teams. Of course, it's all relative. If all the top teams are down a little this year, you don't notice the classification being down as a whole. But no way it's as good as the past, especially last year. And people shouldn't be surprised that Pine started 0-3 and they shouldn't be surprised if they finish regular season on seven-game win streak. Bottom line: Pine-Richland has some "players." Eric Kasperowicz didn't leave a bunch of tomato cans there.
Ryan
11:31
What do you think about Kiski big game this week vs north hills go Kiski
Mike White
11:35
Sam Albert "The Great" has done great with Kiski. Anyone remember the old Catholic grade school called St. Albert The Great in Pittsburgh? I used to love playing them in grade school hoops, just cause I love the name. Now for Kiski. They are 5-0 for first time since 1986. Great for Cavaliers. But I think jury is still out on them. They beat unbeaten West Allegheny last week but West A isn't great by any means. North Hills is pretty decent, but not great, either. I think it will be a close game. If you made me pick, I'd pick Kiski.
Quad North Fan
11:36
Simple question - what is going on at Woody. Big expectations this year with not a lot to show for it and P-T and Gateway coming up.
Mike White
11:37
I don't know Quad North Fan. They are now 1-4 and having all kinds of trouble scoring points. I don't know what answer is, but this certainly isn't the Woody High of old.
Frank
11:37
Do you think Moon is a legit contender in 5A this year?
Mike White
11:37
No, definitely not. They are only the Post-Gazette's No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A because we think they stink.
ad_VERTUS_ment
11:37
North Hills with a big win this week!  But seriously, any chance this is the year that Pat Carey wins his first ever playoff game, assuming North Hills makes the payoffs?
Mike White
11:39
Ahhhh, the weekly North Hills question. What would the chat be without a weekly North Hills question. As I said above. North Hills is decent, but not great. Will they make playoffs and win a playoff game, I think a lot depends on where they would be seeded for playoffs.
WPIAL man
11:39
Thoughts on the Pine upset last week?
Mike White
11:41
Talked about Pine above. I thought they'd lose, but it's not surprise they won. Again, they have some very good players. Remember, their first three losses were to Harrisburg (4-1) in the fourth quarter, Seneca Valley (3-1) in the last minute and Central Catholic (4-1) after leading 35-14. What, did you think Pine stunk? Will people please listen. Pine-Richland has some talented players!!!! Again, I say they run the table in the conference the next five games.
Stack 56
11:41
Mike.I know Maxpreps rankings can be questioned at times but in their latest rankings they have Westinghouse ranked 4th in the state in AA. In your opinion , are they serious contender to make a deep run in the PIAA playoffs? I’ve seen them they are very fast and have some serious athletes and they hit . Most will dismiss them because they are a city team but playing in AA they are a threat.
Mike White
11:43
Please. I line what coach Donta Green has done at Westinghouse. Great job. Definitely best team in City. But Maxpreps does rankings by some computer system. I haven't seen the 4A Maxpreps rankings, nor do I care to see them. But Westinghouse certainly is not the No. 4 team in the state right now. That would put them ahead of a lot of good teams, like Wilmington, etc. But it would be great if Westinghouse went on a run in the state playoffs.
'lil prexie
11:44
Mike, how about a 1/2 way season prediction for 2A champs? My prexies seem to be heads and tails above the rest, "biggest" competition is against 4a Uniontown
Mike White
11:47
Washington head and shoulders above the rest? Please check your internet provider. Someone apparently hacked your internet and is putting silly posts on this chat under your name. Seriously, Washington is good and could go far in the playoffs. But ahhh, Sto-Rox has just a LITTLE bit of talent. What about Serra? And don'r forget Laurel, Steel Valley and Ligonier Valley. But Washington "head and shoulders." You must be talking about the shampoo.
Old post gazette fan
11:47
Is the old post gazette site down? It was always the best for standings and schedules. Would be a tragedy if it was down for good.
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