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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.04.22
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Mike White
11:03
Hey everybody. I'm a short distance from Valley Brook Country Club to cover WPIAL girls golf championships. Eva Bulger going for her fourth WPIAL title today. Only second girl to ever win four. Marc Bulger's niece. But we can still chat while they golf. Let's go.
Something other than football
11:03
Mike, Do you follow soccer at all? If so, who are the best teams, players, or coaches on the boys and girls sides?
Mike White
11:06
That's a whole to answer. Number of good teams and players. I know Mars girls are on a ridiculous run. Winning state titles and now 71-0-2 in last 73 matches with 55 shutouts? How's that for a soccer factoid?
LeboKid
11:06
Good morning, Mike. It was shocking to read about the death  of former Seton LaSalle, Pitt and NFL standout Jim Sweeney. Do you have any details on his passing, and any memories of his playing days at SLS? Thanks, Mike.
Mike White
11:09
It was sudden. Talking to a few former teammates, it was believed to be a heart attack, but not sure yet. Yes, I remember the Seton teams he was on, especially the 1979 team that won WPIAL. I saw that team in semifinals. That team is memorable because of their coach and the talent on that team for a school not in biggest class. Only 3 classes back then. Seton was 2A. Coach was Tom Donahoe, who would become the GM of Steelers and Bills. He was coach of back to back titles in 1979 and '80. More on '79 team coming up next.
11:11
That 1979 Seton LaSalle team had Sweeney who was 2nd team All-American at Pitt, second round draft pick in NFL and played 16 years in NFL. They had the one and only Greg Gattuso, who played defensive line on national championship team at Penn St. Gattuso was a 6-3, 250-pound fullback and linebacker, which was gigantic for a 2A fullback back then. Lineman Glenn Streno played at Tennessee. Lineman named Urban went to Lafayette. Junior QB Rich Ingold signed next year with South Carolina, but transferred to IUP. Nick Merrick was junior receiver on 1979 team who played at Virginia. Pretty impressive talent, right? I think Montour coach Lou Cerro was a sophomore on that team.
Guest
11:12
What do you think about 1A girls soccer
Mike White
11:13
They play hard. And Freedom is always good. They're 10-3. Impressed by my Class 1A girls soccer knowledge?
Coach O
11:13
So many great rivalries over the years in WPIAL football from big schools like NA-NH to small like   Monaca-Rochester(until 2010). Are there one or several that really stick out to you as particularly intense in terms of buildup to games and the game night atmosphere? Maybe even just a certain game or period in time when both schools were really good?
Mike White
11:14
The six classifications took away some of the best rivalries. Like North Hills-North Allegheny, and even Mt. Lebanon-Upper St. Clair for a few years. Beaver Falls doesn't play Aliquippa any more. There are still some out there, but not like they used to be.
WPIAL guy
11:14
Are the maples for real?
Mike White
11:15
I'm not going to get real syrupy over the Maples. Woooo hoooo - I'll be here all week. But we're talking about Mapletown Maples. They're 6-0. Best start since 1968. Landan Stevenson close to 5,000 yards rushing. Great for them. Great story. But hey, you know they play in the Tri-County South. But I say they get one playoff win this year.
brad Everett’s burner
11:15
Pine pulling off an upset against NA what did pine do to win this game I unfortunately missed it
Mike White
11:16
Moved Ryan Palmieri to QB. That was a game changer.
Hot dog
11:16
What concession stand has the best dogs
Mike White
11:18
The ones that DON'T boil them. Hey I'll mention Bethel Park. They have a grill out where they grill burgers and dogs. But sorry, I try to be a little smart with eating. Try to stay away from hot dogs much, even though I do like them. And still, the smell of boiled hot dogs is just something that belongs in high school football.
Parkway
11:18
Earlier in the year, I thought 5A was the deepest class but 4A seems awfully strong as well.  Is it just the Parkway conference that has me thinking that way?
Mike White
11:21
4A is definitely good. And it might be right there now with 5A as far as quantity of quality teams. 4A has, in no particular order, McKeesport, Aliquippa, Central Valley, Highlands, Laurel Highlands, Thomas Jefferson, West Allegheny, Mars. As Deuce Skurcenski would say, ahhhh, not too shabby. Or not too shabooo.
Mike white
11:21
What game was the best game of the week in your opinion
Mike White
11:22
From last week? Oh, I don't know. I'd have to go back over. Check back.
J from Pitt
11:22
The rams roll against NA. Who would’ve thought! Props to Palmieri. That kid is a BEAST. Anyway, 6A gets even more interesting. What is the game to watch for 6A this week? I’m looking forward to Seneca vs NA down the line. That seems like the decider. What do you think?
Mike White
11:24
Well, there is only one game this week matching two 6A teams - Mt. Lebanon vs. North Allegheny. So I guess that would be the best game, right? That will be key, but they all are key right now in 6A. Yes, Seneca plays North Allegheny. But there is also Central Catholic vs. Seneca.
L
11:24
your shining  star struggled last week did Bishop Canevin have a good game plan or poor  execustiom
Mike White
11:25
Are you talking about Matt Sieg of Fort Cherry? Yes, FC lost to Canevin, 60-7. So he obviously didn't do much. Sorry, but believe it or not I don't know what BIshop Canevin's game plan was. I wasn't in on their meetings last week. And I didn't see the game. Obviously, Canevin play well.
Doug sudor
11:26
I know it’s not b-ball but who’s your favorite for 4a
Mike White
11:28
I'll always talk hoops. 4A should be pretty good. Going into year, I'd have to say Laurel Highlands and Lincoln Park are top two teams. Not sure of order. But there is also Hampton (transfer Peter Kramer will be a big factor) and Highlands. There's Belle Vernon also with Quinton Martin, but BV lost a lot. Don't forget about Avonworth. Made 3A final last year and moved up to 4A.
Doug sudor
11:28
Favorite game this week
Mike White
11:30
Bethel Park at Upper St. Clair. I'll be there. They had Chick fil a in press box last time. Nice. But they better not put those dang pickles on the sandwiches! The worst.
That guy
11:30
top 5 stadiums must include food plus looks!!!!
Mike White
11:30
Too much thinking for a one-hour chat.
Tw
11:30
Feisty effort by Pine Richland with the win over NA.  Like their toughness!
Mike White
11:30
Oh, those feisty Rams. Ram tough, I guess.
4A Hoops Fan
11:31
It's less than 2 months before practice opens. I was struck by the number of boys teams that have not released full 22-game schedules. Those that have schedules on school websites average around 18 games. Many schools have released nothing at all.
Question is, why?
A lot of schools don't want to play each other for a variety of reasons. Too good, too awful, too big of a school, too small of a school, program probably recruits, football team expected to go deep in playoffs, don't like the gym, want a two-year commitment, don't want a two-year commitment ... you name it.
Wonder if the battle between the geographic public schools and non-geographic schools is a factor?
Mike White
11:32
I don't think you should read too much into schools not having all of their schedules on web site. Some schools are more efficient at that than others.
Question ?
11:32
Had this discussion with a friend the other day. Is Cheerleading a sport ? What about dance squad ?
Mike White
11:33
Sorry, won't even address this question. It would bring nothing but trouble.
TM
11:34
Since you are at the Girls WPIAL golf champs, wanted to see your thoughts on this. Per WPIAL, if any girl golfer shoots 100 today, no matter her overall score from last week and today combined, she cannot advance to PIAA. Kind of ridiculous, Valleybrook is a tough course and what if someone has a rough day?
Mike White
11:37
Well, only one girl on first day of 3A championships didn't break 100 - and that's out of 27. In 2A first round, 9 of 16 didn't break 100. I don't have a problem with it. There are girls in 2A championships who shot 110, 111 and 113. I'm sure they gave best effort, but do you really think girls shooting that high should be in state championships. Sorry, I don't think so. I have no problem with rule.
CV Dolt
11:38
If CV is gonna win a game this year is this the week it FINALLY happens ?
Mike White
11:38
Ahhhh, the weekly Char Valley question. New Castle is not good. I say Char Valley wins.
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