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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.24.23
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Mike White
11:29
Who is "we?"
Warrior
11:29
Does PT get the 4,5 or 6 seed if they win Friday
Mike White
11:29
Too hard to say. Depends a lot on other games.
Mike Mo
11:31
after moon and probably Penn hills who else do u see as “LEGIT” contenders in 5A hoops??
Mike White
11:32
Number of teams could make noise, with the return of some players. Don't forget Peters Township, WPIAL finalist last year. Fox Chapel will still be OK, Chartiers Valley has almost everyone back. Shaler. McKeesport. Thomas Jefferson has Berger kid back who is very good.
Big Bob
11:32
Do you think the wpial should or would ever go to 2 conferences in 5A and teams could play 8 or so conference games? As it is now half the teams games are basically exhibition games and have no bearing on playoff standings.
Mike White
11:33
Sorry I forgot to post this question, but I answer it above.
Crooks and liars
11:33
Who is ultimately in charge of the PIAA ? The Governor ? Anyone in government ? I just want to know if they are accountable to anyone because it seems like they aren't and that is wrong.
Mike White
11:33
There is a PIAA oversight committee in state legislature. Was started years ago. But PIAA has executive directors and a board. They are in charge.
Not Brian Batko
11:33
What happened to Shaler football this season? Started 4-0 now 4-5!
Mike White
11:34
Good question. I don't have the answer. I did hear they had some injuries. But they lost some games down the stretch last year, too. Maybe just not good enough.
Who wins
11:34
The game of the century between Char Valley and Ambridge. Who wins ?
Mike White
11:36
No, the game of the Century is Washington against McGuffey. Because that will decide first place in the Century Conference of Class 2A. As for Char Valley and Ambridge? One of them will get in playoffs. I'll take Char Valley. Even if Ambridge wins, they might not get in. They need Blackhawk to beat New Castle.
TM
11:36
What game will you be attending Friday night?
Mike White
11:39
Mars at North Catholic. It's for first place in the conference. But there is another reason. I don't live far from there. People don't realize what it's like to cover Friday night football at some places. You have to write a story after on deadline, but stadium workers clean up and kick you out of the press box before you're done. One of the great things about covering Friday night games. Then you're forced to maybe write from your car or go to maybe a Sheetz to get Wi-Fi. North Catholic's field isn't far from my home. So I can go home, write story fast and then that gives me somewhere to sit down and figure out playoff clinchings under the gun on deadline. Busy night.
3A Playoffs
11:41
Where do you see West Mifflin seed in 3A
Mike White
11:45
Maybe 5, or possibly 4. You can't put them ahead of EF, even if EF loses to Belle Vernon. EF is undefeated right now and beat West Mifflin. You could possibly make a case for West Mifflin being ahead of East Allegheny, even though East Allegheny will be No. 1 in its conference. West Mifflin played a tough non-conference schedule to start the season - McKeesport, EF and Thomas Jefferson. Although West Mifflin has defeated only one team with a winning record, if West Mifflin beats South Park Friday, that would be a win over a team that beat East Allegheny. So you could maybe make a case for West Mifflin to be 4. But it really doesn't matter much if you're 4 or 5.
Mr Head
11:45
Mike, why do people think playing in the PSAC in any sport is a negative or failure. To much pressure or hype playing D1
Mike White
11:48
I totally agree. So many people, especially parents, think their kid is too good for Div. II. Many, many, many parents don't realize how good many DIv. II athletes are. Plus, Div. II gives scholarships. But so many are so hung up on the D-I thing, which I get - to an extent. On other hand, I do know people who would be ecstatic over a D-2 offer. They're realistic people. Besides, the way college athletics is now, go to D-II at start. If you're really good enough to be D-1 athlete, go in the portal and someone will probably take you - if you're good enough.
FC Ranger Dog
11:48
WH QB ok?
Mike White
11:49
Not sure. Coach Tarrant said Friday they were pretty sure it was ACL. Haven't heard since. Shame. Cam Walter is a nice player. I can't see them beating Penn Hills without him.
Mike Junko
11:49
Upper St Clair. We're still in deep deep trouble for the postseason aren't we ?
Mike White
11:50
Ahhhh yep.
Brian M
11:50
I would take a flatbread from some joint on Banksville over Shelly Pie anyday.  Was golf always a fall sport?  It seems in the past that the WPIAL and also PIAA had not so great weather.  Was the season ever in the spring?
Mike White
11:51
Yes, it was, Brian M. I don't know exactly when it went to the fall. But I do know when Arnold Palmer won WPIAL and state championships in the 1950s, it was in the spring. Like I said, not sure when it went to the fall. Actually, I don't think it's a bad move. Weather around here in September and early October is usually better than April and early May.
Pizza Guy
11:51
A follow-up to Mr. Head's question. Do you know which D III schools have an exciting football game atmosphere? My experience from talking to HS players is that, for most D III schools, their is a huge drop-off in excitement/school engagement from the Friday Night Lights. That is seen as a huge negative.
Mike White
11:53
Oh, most definitely. At most DIII schools, it doesn't even compare to what some kids are used to in high school on a Friday night. I have no idea what DIII schools have a good atmosphere. My thing is this. To play DIII in any sport, you've got to really just love the sport and love playing the sport.
Anthony
11:53
Who do you see getting the 6 seed in 3A? Knoch and Beaver have pretty similar results? Both should be 8-2, but Beaver plays in a better conference.
Mike White
11:55
I would say Beaver, based on their wins and almost beating undefeated Avonworth.
Mike
11:55
How many teams do you think will move up to 6A in football for next year? Butler, Baldwin, Pine Richland, Penn Hills, Norwin, Hempfield would be my guess. Would make 6A a little more competitive and playoffs more interesting. Thoughts?
Mike White
11:57
Again, it's really hard to tell. Who knows where the cutoff will be, especially now with schools having to count all vo-tech kids. Butler will definitely be 6A, if they decide to come back to the WPIAL, which isn't a definite yet. Like I said above, a few schools enrollment really jumped by 100 or more since last realignment. But again, enrollments at schools in the east might have jumped also. So it's tough to say until cutoffs come out.
JV guru
11:57
From last weeks chat someone said Central JV could win A or AA championship. They lost to Pine Richland this year at Jv. Does that make PR win A or AA. Also North Allegheny JV was undefeated from 2018-2023. Lost this year for first time since 2018.
Mike White
12:00
I think legendary former Post-Gazette high school sports editor Steve Hecht started a live JV chat with Dave "Kernel" Assad and "Mu" Kuchta. Maybe check with them and see what they think of JV seedings. Google hectorkernelmujv.com.
PHvsWH
12:00
Mike Huge rivalry game with playoff implications at Penn Hills on Friday. I hear that Woody's QB may be hurt. Who do you like to win this one?
Mike White
12:00
Penn Hills. Especially if Woodland Hills QB doesn't play.
Mr Gardner
12:00
Isn't time to do away with Gardner Points ? It's an ancient system that screws over good teams and rewards bad one. Why not just Top 4 each conference make it. End of story
Mike White
12:03
Well that's really easy to say, top 4 in each conference make it "end of story." Well, what about ties with three teams? You have to have some kind of tiebreaker system if head-to-head doesn't break it. It used to be that head-to-head wasn't the first tiebreaker with two tied teams. Gardner Points was the tiebreaker. WPIAL changed that a while ago. You need some kind of system to break three-way ties. I have no problem with Gardner Points and then the tiebreaker points. Most people don't understand it. That's why they don't like it.
Mike
12:03
When do cut offs come out?
Mike White
12:03
Some time in the next two weeks.
And ladies and gentleman, that's it for today. Hope you enjoyed it - and drive home safely.
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