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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.13.20
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Mike White
11:00
All the news about crowd stuff breaking last Tuesday cause me to miss the chat, but we're back. I'm the Governor of this chat and are no gathering limits. But please mask your identity if you send stupid questions. Let's go.
Howie
11:00
Mike – Rodney Gallagher at Laurel Highlands is an outstanding two-sport athlete, who already has scholarship offers from Division 1 schools. Devin Whitlock, at Belle Vernon Areas, is also an outstanding two-sport athlete, albeit his physical stature is less that Gallagher’s. And he may yet grow some. Before Whitlock transferred from Monessen a long-time observer of Mon Valley sports told me that Whitlock was thought to be the best basketball player from Monessen in 20 years. How do you assess Whitlock’s talent and his future potential?
Mike White
11:03
Whitlock is a very good two-sport athlete. Waterbug in football at QB. Not knocking his talents, but he's not a FBS kid in football or Div. 1 in basketball, mainly because of his size. That doesn't mean he's not really good at both. His future in football definitely isn't QB. Slotback or receiver. I think FCS might be his highest level in football.
Yuri
11:03
Hello Mike.  As of now, do you think Pitt has a chance of getting Derrick Davis?  Thank you.
Mike White
11:06
Derrick Davis will announce Nov. 14 he told me last week. I have really liked dealing with Derrick. Seems like very good kid. Final five are Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State, LSU and Georgia. Does Pit have a chance? Of course, there's always a chance. But it's not a very good chance. I think it's Penn State or Ohio State. I just can't see him going to LSU or Georgia. But you never know with recruiting, but I think just about everyone will be surprised if it's not Penn State or Ohio State.
Donna
11:06
Hi Mike...is Coach Narduzzi’s job in jeopardy if he doesn’t win at least 7 games this season or is he safe because of his recruiting success for next year?  Thanks.
Mike White
11:08
No way his job is in jeopardy. No way. The way Pitt goes, look for them to beat either Miami or Notre Dame. And he is having a nice recruiting year.
Darnell
11:08
Do you see Pitt continuing to get highly rated recruits if the program can’t get to the next level?
Mike White
11:12
Pitt will be in recruiting what they have been for a long time. They will sometimes have good - not great - recruiting classes and sometimes have very mediocre recruiting classes. It's just the way it is. A lot of other schools are in the same boat. There's no shame in that. Just the way it is. I think the state of the program is fans should hope for maybe a 9-win season every few years. But you're also going to see 7-5s. Every once in a while hope for that 10-win season. Heck, they were in ACC championship game few years ago. Thing is, it certainly doesn't help that WPIAL talent has dropped considerably in past decade or so. Days of Pitt making a living off many WPIAL recruits are long gone. Nice to get best WPIAL recruits, but there aren't all that many Power 5 guys any more.
Yinzer412
11:12
How about Mt. Pleasant looks like they may be getting back to their winning ways this year. Big game this week against EF.
Mike White
11:15
Yes, the game against EF figures to decide Interstate Conference title. This team isn't like the best in the 1980s, but give MP credit. I don't think they are among top three teams in Class 3A yet, but Friday's game should tell a lot. EF quarterback is questionable though. Knee injury.
Howie
11:15
Mike – Perhaps you have discussed it before. But If there is plan I do not remember reading about  how high basketball will be conducted in the COVID environment.  Do you know what the plan for basketball is?
Mike White
11:18
There's no "plan" so to speak. Right now, basketball in state will start on time. Practices and games. Teams have been having workouts and open gyms all fall. The new gathering limits set last week might still be in place. 20 percent of capacity for gyms of 1 to 2,000. So if your gym seats 1,000, you can have 200.
ColtsFan
11:18
Mike, The quips took it to Cv this past Friday, had some really nice big plays. Do you think that game could be a different story if CV converts both of the drives in the first half instead of turning it over inside the 10?
Mike White
11:21
Very much so. Chartiers Valley moved the ball at times. But if, if, if. There can't be many ifs when you play Aliquippa. Big plays are always big for Aliquippa. I think CV is better than final score indicates. But you gotta prove it on the field. I'm doing a column later this week on Aliquippa lines. Gigantic. Three sophomore starters over 300 pounds start on lines. I figured it out, their starting OL and DL weighs more than Steelers.
BVRcountySportsFan
11:21
Western Beaver, Beaver, & Freedom will all need new head football coaches next year. What coaching  prospects could step into these roles? Is it also fair to call Beaver the “Steelers” of the WPIAL? 2 head coaches in 55 years!
Mike White
11:22
I guess Ryan Matsook will leave Western Beaver after this season because he has an administration job at Moon. As for Beaver, they are very unusual. Two coaches in all those years. Pat Tarquinio and Jeff Beltz. You don't see that any more. Coaches don't stick around that long any more - or school boards get rid of them.
Ron
11:22
Mike, who do you feel is the best team regardless of class in the WPIAL? Pine Richland?
Mike White
11:23
Most definitely.
Franky
11:23
Mike, I've seen Derrick Davis play and I think colleges are missing the boat if they don't let him play offense.  He is a difference maker with the ball.  On defense he seems to be kind of a tweener, too small for LB, too big for DB.  Don't you think a good sales tactic for Pitt would be to let him play offense?  He would really stand out (think Tyler Boyd) and could be a hometown hero.
Mike White
11:24
How do you know other colleges aren't already telling him the same thing? Yes, I think he might be able to be a running back, but I don't know if many people around here realize how good you have to be to make it on the big-time level as a running back. Look at WPIAL history. Over past 30-40 years, we haven't produced that many big-time Div. 1 RBs.
Ted
11:25
Hey Mike, I see that you have Mt. Lebanon moving up the rankings.  They are a young team with some really good juniors at the skill positions(QB,RB,and WR) plus a very solid D. How do you see it playing out in 6A?
Mike White
11:28
I don't think there is a prohibitive favorite team in 6A. North Allegheny is obviously No. 1 but I think it's fair to say this isn't one of NA's best teams since Art Walker has been coach. Will the real Central stand up? Relatively close with Norwin ... crush Seneca .. . blow a nice lead and give up lot of points to Lebo. Bob Palko seems to have Mt. Lebanon getting better. Coming back like they did against Central says something. I know Lebo has a lot of non-seniors playing. QB Daniels only a junior. Lebo could've beaten NA. Playoffs might be a little interesting. Lebo might have to be ranked top two heading into next year.
Quad North Fan
11:28
I'm thinking Canon Mac is the odd man out in 6A playoffs, even though they do have a nice win over Lebo. NA, Lebo, PCC, SV. Still a couple weeks, but unless they beat NA this week, I think they will be out. I guess we'll find out tomorrow how this is going to work.
Mike White
11:33
WPIAL meeting is tomorrow. From sources, I think WPIAL will decide that some playoff spots will have to be selected by football committee. Class 6A is biggest problem. NA clearly No. 1. Four teams go playoffs. If you say Central is a definite than that leaves Mt. Lebanon, Canon-McMillan and Seneca. ... Lebo plays Seneca Valley next week. That will be key. Let's say Lebo wins. You will then have Canon-Mac beating Lebo, Seneca beating Canon-Mac, Lebo beating Seneca. Don't forget Baldwin. They have three conference games postponed. But I think Lebo and Central deserve playoff spots, no matter what happens. The last would be between Seneca and Canon-Mac. Since Seneca beat Canon-Mac, I think it should be Seneca.
JP
11:33
Interesting that three of the top five teams in 4A are new to 4A this year. How do you see the new teams doing against TJ and BV.
Mike White
11:35
You're talking about Aliquippa, Plum and Char Valley. Plum and CV moved down from 5A and Quips up. I think Aliquippa can play with anyone in 4A, but I would definitely pick TJ over Quips if they played. Belle Vernon is good also. Aliquippa is good, but not great. Quips will have hands full in getting to title game this year.
GH
11:36
Hi Mike, why are Montour and Chartiers Valley playing twice this football season?
Mike White
11:37
That's news to me. I'm not saying you're wrong, but Montour is playing Aliquippa this week and then they are scheduled to play Beaver next week. Beaver is a conference game.
Franky
11:37
Mike, I think Davis is better suited to the slot WR, similar to Tyler Boyd, and getting the ball on the jet sweeps (like Quadree Henderson).  He isn't an every down RB.  Can you imagine him in a Matt Canada offense?  Just sayin....Canada is in town and the Pitt offense sure isn't setting the world on fire with Whipple.
Mike White
11:39
I wouldn't disagree with you. Davis is a pretty good receiver out of the backfield. But I don't know if slotback is his best position. Or receiver. I don't think receiver suits his talentes best. He's not built like Tyler Boyd. I wouldn't say they're similar. If Davis is going to play offense in college, running back is first try.
Bubba
11:39
This basketball season might get off to an unfair start.  I know of many schools currently playing games against other schools while others are still only allowed to practice (with masks on)!
Mike White
11:41
Yes, in fall leagues. Sorry, but I don't think playing bunch fall league games gives a big edge over teams that also have been in gym and working. Yes, it's nice to play some games in the fall, but not vital. Plus, so many teams don't have all their players in fall league games anyway because of fall. Unfair? No way.
GH
11:41
Montour and Chartiers Valley played on 9/11 and set to play again on 10/30 according to MaxPreps
Mike White
11:44
Well stop thinking Maxpreps is gospel. They're not staying on top of local things. That is incorrect. Because WPIAL playoffs start Oct. 30. And at least one, if not both Chartiers Valley and Montour, will be in playoffs. That game I'm pretty sure was on original schedule, but things got moved around this summer and the final game was moved to the opener Sept. 11.
Guest
11:44
Maxpreps is a mess.  They have Washington & Uniontown playing this Saturday.  That is a JV game but not according to Maxpreps. I'd delete THAT app...
Mike White
11:45
Thank you. Maxpreps does a really good job with some things and has some interesting stories. But it's not real easy to keep up with every team in the entire country.
Marky Mark
11:46
Would Donald have made a difference in the win column this year for CC?  If he wanted to come back would he be allowed?  As a coach, I would not.  Would you?
Mike White
11:48
No way I'd take him back. These other kids have put in all this time and effort. No way you take him back now for playoffs. I haven't heard he wants to come back. I do know he lifts weights at Oxford Club. But that ain't playing. Would he have helped Central? Of course. Only an idiot would think he wouldn't have helped. But would their record be different? That's hard to say. He can't play 11 different positions on defense.
Guest
11:48
Oct. 30 (Week 9) games were moved to Sept. 11 (Week 2).
I trust the P-G schedule page and don't even bother to look at Maxpreps schedules (at least not for FUTURE games)...
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