Mike White’s high school sports chat: 10.06.26
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Mike White
11:00
Good morning. I need to start the chat with some sad, sad news in WPIAL football world. Legendary former football coach Joe Hamilton died this morning at a personal care home. Age 84. Second-winningest coach in WPIAL history. Good man as well as a terrific coach. Had great run in the 90s with four WPIAL titles and three appearances in state finals. Sympathies to his family. As well as a terrific coach, he was a big family man also. RIP, Joe.
11:01
Here's a little story I already did on Joe, but will have more comments to add to story later: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2026/10/06/jo...
Francois Leroux
11:02
What’s worse getting a root canal without novacaine or watching these HS kids make dancing TikTok’s pre and post game? Could you imagine being a coach and allowing that to happen?
Mike White
11:06
Well Francois, why don't you just yell "Get off my lawn." It's a different world of high school sports today, and that's OK. I don't mind TikTok videos from kids. Some are funny. They're just having some fun. As long as they are in good taste and don't deman or trash talk an opponent, which often times happens. But high school players usually do what the pros do and it trickles down. If you want to coach high school today, you have to deal with this. And like I said, some of the things are good natured and funny.
Stefan Djordjevic
11:07
What TJ and to a certain extent West Allegheny are doing in 5A is pretty impressive and a testament to great coaching and culture.
Mike White
11:09
No doubt it's impressive. But should we really be surprised? It's what Bill Cherpak and Bob Palko do. Palko had some success in 5A before at West A. Won a 5A title there. So it shouldn't be a surprise. Not to degrade what they've done, but some of the wins have come against 4A schools. Plus, I don't think 5A is as strong as it has been in recent years. But make no mistake. These are two of the best to do it ever - in any sport.
Federico
11:09
Always nice to see a local kid receive notoriety, but is Luca Federico really the 79th best player in the country??
Mike White
11:13
Why do you say he isn't, just because he's from Western Pa.? He's played on national AAU circuit. Why couldn't he be 79th best player? Even though there probably isn't much different between the 79th and the 200th player? Who can rank those anyway. But c'mon, man. The kid is 6-6 and a guard. He has guard skills and is pretty athletic. I really like the kid. You know who he reminds me of, just a little? Dante Calabria. He's actually a little bigger than Dante. Now he doesn't shoot it as well as Dante (Dante was a tremendous shooter), but they're both long and are versatile. I really like Luca. Give him his flowers.
BlueDevil2000
11:13
Mike- Right on regarding your comments with Lebo press box last week.  No doubt it is the worst press box in all of WPIAL.  Press boxes are much more than what people think.  But to your point on fundraising for Coach Walker dedication, football lacks facilities there in many ways- shares everything as most do, and some things are nice don't get me wrong.  However, there is not adequate space for year round needs.  With whom they are expected to compete with- the expectations do not align with the support and facilities.  I think we are seeing that now in terms of the program hitting rock bottom.  Been coming for quite some time.  There are cycles of talent as we have seen, but it's not sustainable.  Thus the coaching turnover.
Mike White
11:15
Not quite sure what you are trying to say. Yes, press box for a 6A school is terrible. It hasn't changed in ages. Couldn't they have remodeled it and made it bigger at some point? Heck, they built a new school. Not sure what you mean about "expected to compete with - the expectations do not aling with the support and facilities." Besides the press box, that's a a tremendous high school stadium. New school and new gym, too. Not sure what more you want.
hsfan
11:15
Do you associate the struggles of non House city league teams with the success of Central, Propel, Seton, and Canevin?
Mike White
11:16
Yes, that hasn't helped, for sure. I know kids in city are going to those schools. But City has been going down for a number of years.
40_Stripes_Retired
11:16
Hi Mike.  Just a reminder to the fans.  It's Officials Appreciation Week across the PIAA.  Please take a moment to offer a word of encouragement to the brotherhood/sisterhood wearing the striped shirts.  The PIAA still needs officials.  The PIAA is offering specials this week through their website ( piaa.org ) for anyone desiring to become a PIAA official in any sport.  Thanks, Mike.
Mike White
11:19
OK. Here's my shoutout to officials. Thanks for what you do. I know it's not easy. Fans can be terrible. And even coaches. Here's to hoping that the numbers continue to grow and more younger people get into it. And here's a shameless plug for a story of mine. I've got a story coming out later this week on the WPIAL actually having a father-daughter working on the same officiating crew in football. I love it. We've had a few female football officials before in WPIAL. But I don't ever remember a father-daughter in football. Now that's a cool little story to me.
40_Stripes_Retired
11:19
By the way, Mike, great to see you at our Coach's Night back in mid August in Bridgewater.  We had a nice turnout and raised a few dollars for the Mark Schaas Scholarship.  Glad you were a part of our festivities.
Mike White
11:20
Very good night. Except Donnie Iris wasn't feeling well and couldn't be there. I was ready for my rendition of "Love Is Like A Rock" and also "This Time It Must Be Love." I wanted to hear that Donnie scream one more time.
popular sovereignty
11:20
Mike, have you seen a football game at every wpial school? If not, how many more until you check off your list?
Mike White
11:21
No, I have not. I don't know how many I haven't been to, but it's not like 2 or 3.
George C. from Scott
11:21
I follow HS sports only casually, but a glance at football scores last week shows a lot of blowouts. Is that a recent trend? Are more schools permanently less competitive now?
Mike White
11:24
The separation of haves and have-nots has become bigger. The blowouts have been more prevalent for the last, I'd say, 25 years or so. But I actually think the number of blowouts has actually gone down the past couple years because of the competitive balance scheduling the WPIAL has instituted recently in non-conference games. WPIAL schedules all games except the first week. That's up to the schools. Past couple years the WPIAL has tried to match up teams that are more alike in terms of strength. I think it's been a smart move.
Sad to Hear
11:24
Sad to hear about Joe Hamilton. A legend
Mike White
11:24
Sure was. 342-170-11 in his career. Only Jim Render won more games in WPIAL history.
BeaverFalls Kid
11:24
Looks like Blackhawk HS Football has turned things around and is making a run at a divisional championship and WPIAL playoff run.  What’s the biggest reason for its success and how far do you think the team can advance?
Mike White
11:26
Coaching might have something to do with it. Trevor George in first year as coach. Done a terrific job. But maybe Blackhawk has some "players" now also. And maybe George is using them the right way. Cougars deserve a shoutout. I don't see them getting to WPIAL championship but they certainly are trending up.
SinAFoot
11:27
Hey Mike, who would your favorite in single A football be right now? Shenango, Laurel? Maybe Wash High? Seems very open.
Mike White
11:29
You're right. I don't think there is a prohibitive favorite. But I'll go with Clairton right now. I saw their game with Washington. Fairly even game. Clairton is good, but not as good as they've been recently. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if one of 5-6 different teams make the final. That's how balanced it is. But I'll go with Clairton right now. Washington not far behind.
Ryan
11:29
Who wins Fridays game Kiski or Hampton GO KISKI Friday night 🏈🏈
Mike White
11:30
And ladies and gentlemen, it's the Ryan Show, asking for the weekly Kiski Area prediction. Kiski is now 1-5, so I'll go Hampton.
X
11:30
Norwin got a nice win Friday night.  I wasn't surprised because I thought Norwin played Central tougher than PR to a large extent.  Norwin is stout up front and their line looks like a 6A team.  Brodeski plays receiver, safety, punt returner, kick off returner and punter.  Aside from scoring two touch downs, he saved 2 by running guys down. The first resulted in a fg.  The second was the game ending drive that ended on the 2 yard line.  Is he a candidate for Player of the Year?
Mike White
11:32
I actually was at that game - simply to watch. Was just an excellent high school game. You know there wasn't a turnover in the game? I don't even think there was a fumble. I was very impressed with Brozeski. He and Rothrauff were why Norwin won. I know Eric Kasperowicz was concerned about the game because of Norwin's size up front. Brozeski is good. This isn't to deman him, but I think there are certainly others ahead of him for player of the year.
What happens first
11:32
Hey Mike. Big fan. Which happens first ? The sun collapsing in on itself, Dogs being about to talk, The Pirates beating the Dodgers to get to the World Series or Mt Lebanon scoring a touchdown ?
Mike White
11:33
Woooo hooooo. You should go on tour. You're hilarious. Mt. Lebanon has to hear it enough from fans and probably fellow students. I'm not going to pile on. They're kids.
Little Green Machine
11:33
Saw South Fayette this weekend against CV. They're a beast. That QB is a force to be reckoned with.
Mike White
11:34
Yes, they didn't have that QB for the USC game. Different team with him. Char Valley is not a bad team, either, and South Fayette rolled. Lions have to be one of the favorites in 4A.
X
11:34
Eric and staff have done a nice job at North Hills.   They have 2 quick receivers and a quick rb that can hurt you.  They are a little small upfront, but play the type of aggressive defense that he's known for.  How do you think they do the rest of the way?   I'd say they have punched above their weight so far.
Mike White
11:37
Everything you say is true, X. North Hills is pretty good. You're right in that they are a little small. But their defense is very athletic and flies to the ball. They play Armstrong and Plum the next two weeks. Those aren't guaranteed wins. But if North Hills is as good as they think they are, they should win both and head into the Pine-Richland game with a 6-1 record and the conference title on the line. But Pine-Richland is on a much different level than Armstrong and Plum - and for two main reasons: Khalil Taylor and Oobi Strader.
X
11:37
Did Crampa Spell play Friday?  He wasn't mentioned in the PG article.   Georgia better make his NIL by the carry.   He's a talent and has a lot of money on the line.   It makes me wonder if he had the decision before the season that he will see how it goes and whether McKeeseport has a legitimate chance to win WPIAL and PIAA titles.   Neither look likely.
Mike White
11:40
He did not play. Post-Gazette colleague Brad Everett saw a stream of the game and said Spell wasn in streeth clothes. I don't know if it's true, but it's been said he has turf toe? Again don't know if true. And you're not going to get an answer from McKeesport staff. They pretty much don't give any info about Spell. Don't even return messages. Can McKeesport win the WPIAL? I say only if Spell is totally healthy and he will need to run for at least 250 yards in every playoff game for them to have a chance.
Who You Got ?
11:40
Mt Lebanon is playing the St Bernard's Elementary School team at the end of the season. Who wins ?
Mike White
11:40
Go back to bed.
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