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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.15.19
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Mike White
11:03
Two weeks left in the football regular season. Over half of playoff spots filled. Let's roll. Fire away with questions.
steelers123
11:03
Who are your top 4 teams in AA and how do they compare to each other?
Mike White
11:05
Right now it's Washington, Burgettstown, Avonworth and McGuffey. That's right now. Could change. McGuffey plays Avonworth this week. Only non-conference but both undefeated. McGuffey plays Washington next week. What a stretch for McGuffey in final five weeks. Played at undefeated Southmoreland. Played one-loss Charleroi last week. Play Avonworth and then Washington.
demosthenes98
11:05
City League football teams compete together during the regular season and their own playoffs before splitting into separate classes for the PIAA playoffs.  Could the WPIAL do something similar, i.e. four classes during the regular season and WPIAL playoffs, then six classes during the PIAA playoffs?
Mike White
11:07
All I will say is that it will definitely be considered by WPIAL for next season and the league will soon survey schools on whether they want a reduction in classes and regional conferences (instead of strictly by classification) or stick with current system. I think most schools would like a change.  In fact, how coincidental you ask about this. After you sit and read my entire chat, go to Post-Gazette web site. I have a story on all of this.
Ballerz
11:07
Mike, what are this weeks most intriguing match ups in the WPIAL? Are NA and West A going to play 8 minute quarters with a running clock and plat their JV teams the entire 2nd half?
Mike White
11:08
No they won't be playing with running clock. That ship sailed last year. Have no idea what they'll do with starters. It is meaningless game. But it's a game. You don't get all that many of them. Kids still want to play.
Quip-Town
11:09
South Park boys gave us about everything we could handle but we pulled it out last week. They play CV this week.  Who do you predict wins the Tri-County mainly meaning do you see Aliquippa or CV winning the title?
Mike White
11:10
Well I definitely don't see South Park beating Central Valley. I don't know if people realize how good Central Valley is. They are very good. Don't put too much into the Thomas Jefferson loss. Should be a great finish to regular season with CV at Quippa. Hold me captive until I give a prediction and I'll take Quips.
Barry J.
11:10
What ever happened to the Jackson twins from Allderdice?
Mike White
11:12
Honestly, I don't know. They were at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas last year and hoping to play football. But they are done there and I have no idea where they ended up. Outstanding athletes who never quite could get it together after high school. Bounced around to a few different colleges. They aren't on Fort Scott roster now. No idea.
woobie
11:12
Thoughts on Ligonier Valley's proposed move to the WPIAL? The Rams have a great football program and are very good in other sports.
Mike White
11:15
The school board has voted to leave District 6 and join WPIAL. But it's not as simple as that. Will District 6 let them leave? Ligonier Valley must be granted permission from PIAA to leave District 6. Farrell has wanted to leave District 10 and return to WPIAL in recent years. District 10 won't let them out and PIAA won't grant Farrell a release. WPIAL must also accept Ligonier Valley. What if WPIAL doesn't want Ligonier Valley? It's all still preliminary stuff right now. But judging from recent years, Ligonier Valley would definitely be a player in Class 1A football and basketball.
2A Fan
11:15
Mike, how do you see the 2A Playoff Seeding process going? If Washington, Burgettstown, and Avonworth all end up undefeated who would your 1-3 be? Looks to me like the seeding in 2A will be very interesting in how the WPIAL views strength of schedule.
Mike White
11:17
I think you have to wait and see. Let's say all three do end up undefeated. But what if Avonworth crushes McGuffey this week and Washington beats McGuffey by a slim margin next week. What I'm saying is you could rank the teams this week but it could change. If I had to do right now, I'd go Washington, Avonworth and Burgettstown. But really, 2 and 3 seeds don't really matter. Brackets are set up where they would meet in semifinals no matter who is 2 or 3.
2A Today
11:17
Who do you think wins 2A this year?  Among the remaining undefeated teams, Washington is still without Dylan Asbury, McGuffey has good RBs, but is very small/slow at corner, Burgettstown is undefeated but hasn't played anyone with a quality OL/DL, and Avonworth looks to be without the one of the top skill guys in 2A in Kyros Thorpe for the playoffs.
Mike White
11:18
If I had to pick right now, I'd go Washington but that could change. As I said in previous question, things could change in these last two weeks, depending on how games go.
CJ
11:18
Mike - I just read that the Ligonier Valley school board voted unanimously to move to the WPIAL starting in 2020/2021.  This seems like the right move in that they were outclassing the Johnstown area competition in most sports.  What say you?
Mike White
11:23
I addressed this a few questions ago. I don't blame Ligonier Valley. But some things still have to happen, like the PIAA granting them a release from District 6 and the WPIAL accepting Ligonier Valley. Not as simple as just saying, "We're leaving and joining the WPIAL." We shall see. They would be Class 1A in football. You can bet that there are not a lot of Class 1A schools that would be real happy to be in a conference with Ligonier Valley. Some long road trips for some schools - and that's what many schools complain about now in WPIAL. Look at WPIAL Class 1A football conferences. Only a few schools that you would consider anywhere near the Ligonier area. Do think basketball schools will be real happy to travel to Ligonier on a Tuesday night in January?
tornado1
11:23
What are your thoughts about Butler dropping out of the WPIAL for football and becoming an independent so they could possibly play games in which they could compete, and maybe gain interest in the program from the players again.  There is no way for them to compete in the 6A section they are in.
Mike White
11:24
That's a tough question Tornado1. I mean, you could say, "Albert Gallatin did it, so why not Butler?" But they are a little different. AG was done to maybe 20 players. Butler's numbers aren't good but I think they still had 40 on roster this year.
11:26
Butler is one of great mysteries in WPIAL football. How can the third-largest school in league be so bad year after year in football when they are very competitive in many other sports? Would be crazy if Butler dropped from WPIAL in football. Remember for decades and decades they had one of the best programs in WPIAL. Art Bernardi has to be shaking his head.
Wpial football fan
11:26
Mike good morning, after seeing several different conferences and  games can’t figure out how colleges grade players against lower competition? I see some good 6A 5A players who would be complete studs in 1a-4a or city league.  Easy if a kid shines in 6A or 5A to evaluate, but lower seems to look a world of difference watching the games.  How much time do schools like really spend evaluating?
Mike White
11:29
Ahhhh, colleges spend tons of time evaluating players. They do it from film. They do it from kids at their camps. They come look at players in the  spring. Yes, you look at a kid in 1A or 2A differently and have to figure how he would do in the larger classifications. But remember, a lot of it is about size, speed and potential. Not what class you play in. Yes, there are decent players in 5A and 6A who would make really good players in Class 1A. But maybe they aren't big enough or fast enough to be recruited by the big boys.
Big bob
11:29
Mike are spinal finals going to be on tv this year.
Mike White
11:30
Stay tuned. Should know very soon.
Guest
11:33
Does west A still have a chance to make Playoffs? If they lose to Moon is there still a chance?
Mike White
11:34
Yes West A is still alive. The top five teams from each 5A conference make the playoffs, plus one "wild card" sixth place team. West Allegheny can't finish fifth, even if they beat Moon. But they are still alive for wild card, even if they lose to Moon. Would depend on what other teams in other conferences do.
2AFootballFan
11:35
MIke,  The Thorpe kid is not out for the playoffs for Avonworth.  The PIAA is waiting for additional paperwork and then they will make the final determination.   If he is ruled eligible, Avonworth is the favorite in 2A.  Big line who can challenge Wash High and great skill players.
Mike White
11:40
Well, the WPIAL had a hearing and ruled him ineligible for playoffs. PIAA had a hearing and upheld WPIAL ruling and ruled him ineligible. So, right now he is out for the playoffs. I have no idea about this "paperwork" that you say. There are reasons that WPIAL and PIAA can give a waiver to a transfer for postseason eligibility. WPIAL and PIAA said he didn't fit the circumstances for a waiver.
CJ
11:40
Cause/effect question.  Is West Allegheny doing worse because Coach Palko is gone, or did the Coach leave because he anticipated the challenges ahead?
Mike White
11:43
Coach Palko decided almost a year before his final season that he was leaving. Talent had nothing to do with his decision. Other things did. West A is not without some decent players.  Not any great ones but all of the decent ones didn't all leave with Palko. They're in a tough conference. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future.
2AFootballFan
11:43
Mike, trust me on the "paperwork" issue.  VERY reliable inside source advised me on this one.  Not saying he will be ruled eligible but there is paperwork that is being turned in.
Mike White
11:44
OK whatever you say.
11:46
Just seems funny 2AFootballFan. They have one hearing. Then another. Now the "paperwork" is being turned in?????
Wike Mhite
11:47
Crazy score out of the South Fayette vs Highlands game last week.  Worry for SF heading towards the playoffs or just an off game amidst a 62 game conf win streak?
Mike White
11:49
Yes, score of 21-18 was a little bit of a head scratcher. But South Fayette certainly isn't unbeatable. Maybe it was a combination of a down game by South Fayette and one of Highlands' best games?
Wike Mhite
11:50
Not that anybody is doing it anymore, but can schools still schedule a “week 10” game if they miss the playoffs?
Mike White
11:51
Good question. I don't remember the rule on that, except I know you can't play if you already played a Week 0 game and have already played 10 games. Not sure if you played 9 games, though.
Allegheny8
11:52
Mike, what home playoff hosts have been decided in 5A?
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