Mike White’s high school sports chat: 10.13.26
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Mike White
10:56
Well, only three weeks left in WPIAL regular season football. So forget the small talk. Let's get right to chattin'.
STADIUM
10:56
Anything on the 4 and 6a finals locations?
Mike White
10:57
Nothing definite yet. That has to come from the WPIAL. They said two weeks ago they were finalizing plans for that.
sauerkrautsaul
10:59
Where does this Central team stack up compared to the team that won the state in 2015?
Mike White
11:02
Can't answer that yet. Can't answer those questions until end of season. The 2015 team won WPIAL and state, but had a loss to North Allegheny in regular season. Also some close games in playoffs. So, what if Central makes a run and wins a state title with undefeated record? I think that would put them ahead of 2015 team. But you can't make that determination until you see how everything plays out.
PH-Gateway Downfall
11:02
Who will make a return to the top first, Penn Hills or Gateway?
Mike White
11:02
Penn Hills is a lot further from the top than Gateway. But I don't see either getting to the top any time soon.
3 Weeks
11:02
3 Weeks left... 4A playoffs are going to be fun and competitive!
Mike White
11:03
So are a few of the other classifications.
D9 Dave
11:03
Were you surprised when West Allegheny beat TJ last week?  Guess coaching does matter. Bob Palko is making a big difference in his first year at WA. BYW what is his son Tyler doing these days?
Mike White
11:04
Yes and no. TJ is good, but not great. I thought TJ would win. West Allegheny's defense has been good pretty much all season and was again. Yes, coaching matters. Look at what Palko is doing. Look at what Cherpak has done. But I wouldn't say coaching is the reason West A. won. Players still have to make plays.
Beaver County Fan
11:04
I don't think I have seen anyone bring it up in this forum since the news broke, but what are your thoughts on the unfortunate Phil Jurkovic situation? I'm sure you got to know him somewhat during his HS years.
Mike White
11:05
It is very unfortunate and feel bad for the whole family. Phil was a great person all the many times I dealt with him. It's a shame how it ended at Pitt. He wasn't the same player. Family is great, too. Hopefully, it all gets worked out.
Oakmont
11:05
Does the WPIAL get a friendly deal to host some golf championships at Oakmont? How does that work?
Mike White
11:07
I'm not totally sure about cost, but I know these courses give WPIAL a break. I think it speaks highly of nice country clubs to host the WPIALs and the WPIAL should get credit for getting deals to have the finals at places like Oakmont and Sewickley.
11:12
By the way, concerning D9 Dave question earlier. I didn't answer about what Tyler Palko is doing these days. I just talked to him few weeks ago and had him on KDKA radio's Quest For The Best Thursday night show. He's in Kansas City. Doing very well in business that was started by Pittsburgh guy Bubby Hobart. Tyler has twin sons. He's coaching them in flag football. They are in 5th grade I believe. Interesting in that he doesn't want them playing real football until maybe junior high. Doesn't think they need to. Bob Palko didn't let Tyler play real football until older age also.
Riverhounds expansion
11:12
Do you think the WPIAL should move all their finals to the expanded riverhounds stadium once it is done?
Mike White
11:14
No. Maybe three of them, but not all of them. Regardless of crowd size, it is still a big thrill for those kids to play in Acrisure Stadium. Not many district finals in country are played at NFL stadium. If it's doable, keep some at Acrisure. I'm sure the Riverhounds stadium will be really nice. Great scenery. But still not the same for kids at Acrisure. And if the Riverhounds don't do something with that ridiculously little press box ...
Adding Sports
11:17
How much do you think the addition of Flag Football and Women's wrestling will have a negative impact of women's basketball and softball/track in the spring? Softball and Women's Basketball already seem to be having issues with participation
Mike White
11:19
I think it will definitely have an impact on track and softball because they are spring sports. But more softball than track. Because I think you can play flag football and run track more easily than softball and flag football. But will girls want to do two sports? Even though I don't know if flag football teams practice 5-6 days a week. I don't know if it will have that much of an impact on girls basketball because that is winter sport.
1 Seeds
11:19
Who do you see getting the one seed in 5A... Pine, USC or Penn Trafford - If they all win out
Mike White
11:21
Pine -- as long as Pine wins out. You could have a big game next week. If North Hills beats Plum this week, which isn't a given, you could have North Hills and Pine-Richland playing for the conference title - both having one loss.
11:22
By the way, Brad Everett and Matt Press have story on fewer WPIAL players in NFL. This is second straight year with 11. Probably lowest ever. The story gives some opinions on why fewer in NFL. In my opinion, just goes back to WPIAL and City producing way fewer FBS players.
11:25
By the way, the 11 WPIAL players who were on NFL active rosters on opening day were Gateway's Jaquan Brisker, Penn Hills' Jaden Dugger and Aaron Donald, Central Catholic's Damar Hamlin and Rodney Thomas, Mt. Lebanon's Eli Heidenreich,  New Castle's Malik Hooker, Chartiers Valley's Christian Kuntz, Peters Township's Donovan McMillon, North Allegheny's Joey Porter Jr. and Shady Side Academy's Skyy Moore.
X
11:26
I've been watching WPIAL football for 20 years. I can't think of a better Central qb than Herrick. I say that because of his accuracy, that he looks to 2nd and 3rd options,  and that he delivers the ball on time...hitting guys in stride is a big reason why their receivers are breaking some long runs.  A couple probably had more physical talent...Hillis comes to mind...but I really like what I see from Herrick.  What do you think?      CC line pass blocks extremely well.  While you can't let CC play pitch and catch, I think blitzing them is very dangerous. Ryan likes to send those running backs out into the flat as a relief valve.  All 3 have proven that they can catch the ball and good luck tackling Chrys Black in space.
Mike White
11:28
Well X, Owen Herrick is very good. Improved since last year. But I'm not ready to anoint him as the best yet. Sure, he's headed to a power conference college, but let's wait until things play out before we anoint him the best. He does some good things, but it certainly helps to have all that talent around you. And there have been some pretty good QBs come through Central in past two decades. Heck, Payton Wehner was an excellent high school QB.
X
11:29
I saw Hempfield vs Norwin.  I had seen Norwin against CC and North Hills. I thought their stout line would give Hempfield problems, but I was dead wrong. I saw where Hempfield's coach politely said before the game that he thought he had the advantage at skill positions..   He was sure right....way too quick for Norwin.   And as much as I pumped up Brodeski on this forum last week, #15 with Hempfield seemed to cover him with these...both running with him and despite his much smaller stature, his physicality being a problem.  I think Hempfield has a good shot at being the bridesmaid in 6A.
Mike White
11:33
Hempfield most certainly proved something. Impressive win. I saw Norwin the week before against North Hills. I thought they were pretty good, but far from the definite second-best team in 6A. With wins now over Canon-Mac, Norwin and North Allegheny, I don't see how Hempfield doesn't end up No. 2, unless Canon-Mac wins out, including a win against Central, and Hempfield loses a game to either Central or Mt. Lebanon. And no way is Canon-Mac beating Central.
X
11:33
Yes, Wehner ran the offense masterfully and also looked off receivers.  He had better feet than Herrick and a good, but not Herrick good, arm.      When I saw Bergen's receivers in game 1, I thought Central's paled in comparison, but they have proved me wrong. They have played well. I also thought there was a chance a younger kid on the roster might emerge as receiver.....I was assuming they had some talent that
Mike White
11:34
Wehner was much better runner, but you're right. Didn't have the arm of Herrick or the size. Herrick has the potential to be best "throwing" QB in past 20 years, but let's just wait.
X
11:35
As far as Palko goes, he's amazing.   I will say that the receiver that didn't play for TJ is a stud.  It's likely that he would've made a difference in a one touchdown game.
Mike White
11:35
TJ had both starting receivers out. That's a major thing to overcome for a high school team.
RetiredRef
11:39
Any repercussions from the WPIAL/PIAA over Central Catholic hosting all those 8th grade players on their sideline during the Pine game?
Mike White
11:40
I have no idea about "all those" 8th graders. They might have, but I'm not sure. I only know of one in particular - and I haven't heard of anything yet.
Ryan
11:41
Who wins Friday night’s game Kiski or Shaler i think Kiski wins again this week after a big win against Hampton GO KISKI
Mike White
11:43
Ahhhhh the weekly Kiski Area question from Flyin' Ryan. Two 2-5 teams. Yikes. Could end up deciding a playoff spot. Didn't expect Kiski to beat Hampton so badly. It makes me go with Kiski this week.
X
11:43
Any news on Crampa Spell?
Mike White
11:47
No. It's an odd situation there at McKeesport - ever since the coaching ofdeal. It's like they don't want anything to get out about Spell. It's like they can't talk about him.  I mean, there are people out there who would like to see him play. They might like to know if he's going to play because they might go to the game. But coach Tom Smith often doesn't return  texts or messages about him. I mean, c'mon. You don't have to say what his injury is. But you're allowed to say he's injured and will or will not play. I mean, people are saying all kinds of things on why he isn't playing. A little transparency from McKeesport would help.
Beaver County Fan
11:51
Any good Mike Ditka stories? I know you cover high school mainly, but did you ever have the opportunity to interact with him?
Mike White
11:54
Twice. Once was when Aliquippa started the Mike Ditka golf outing at Beaver Lakes Country Club in 1987. Ditka was there. I also did a story before the 2005 WPIAL playoffs on what a WPIAL championship meant to some great players. Brandon Short said it meant as much as playing in a Super Bowl. Ditka called me from an airport. He was great. Here was his quote. I just looked it up: "I never really won anything in college, so the WPIAL title was the most significant thing for me until I won a championship with the Chicago Bears in 1963."
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