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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.26.21
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Mike White
11:02
Well we have finally hit some good football weather, haven't we? Just in time for playoffs. It's a rainy Tuesday, though. What's up with that? Usually Tuesday mornings with this chat are nice. But I'll try to be nice. Let's get started.
Blackhawk Bob
11:02
Any word on the actions to strip the Farrell gym of Ed McCluskey’s name ?  I hope this doesn’t happen
Mike White
11:03
Not happening. Farrell board voted. Name stays.
FballGuy
11:03
is there a certain class you are looking forward to see play out? Personally, I think 4A will be highly competitive quarterfinals on
Mike White
11:04
Yes, 4A will be good. But I think 5A is still the best. It doesn't have an overwhelming favorite like Pine-Richland last year, but lots of parity. That's the best class, as far as depth of quality teams.
LeechburgFan
11:04
How about this Leechburg team!
Mike White
11:07
They're having a Devil of a time out there in Leechburg!!! Get it? The Blue Devils. ... I'll be here all week. ... But seriously, good for them. First time in playoffs since 1988. What a job Randy Walters has done as coach. They can definitely score points, averaging close to 50. But in their two biggest games, they only scored 3 and 27. Class 1A isn't overly strong this year. Maybe they could win a playoff game.
Coach O
11:07
I’m not asking this to stir the pot  again on private schools but rather because I don’t know the in’s and outs of student transfers to private schools. Critics claim recruiting of kids occurs but is that in fact permissible? Or is that just what is assumed by critics is going on? In other words, is a Mike Bariski or Terry Totten actually permitted in theory(to be clear I’m not accusing these gentlemen of doing so)to call a kid and his parents to try and convince them to transfer for say, more exposure or chance to win a championship? Or would they be subject to sanctions by WPIAL if proven they did?
Mike White
11:10
People always just say, "well, they recruit." It's just what people say about Catholic and private and charter schools that are good. Do they? I don't know. I know Seton LaSalle coaches got suspended for this season for recruiting. Does it go on? Of course it does. But I'm not saying Terry Totten and Mike Bariski are doing it. Do some public schools recruit? Of course they do. But it's just the advantage that Catholics and charters have of getting kids from anywhere and everywhere. As for your question about coaches calling kids? No, that's not allowed.
Tim
11:10
Mike, what do you think about teams who have forfeited games this season for non Covid related issues making the playoffs by the wild card? I think if you forfeit a game you should be ineligible for a wild card bid for the playoffs.
Mike White
11:12
Get out of here. If you forfeit a game, it's a loss. That hurts your record. That hurts your playoff chances. That's enough. Sitting out the playoffs? C'mon. Forfeits will not affect playoffs because teams that forfeit, WPIAL is counting them as a 10-0 loss. 10 points is the maximum points you can get in WPIAL tiebreaker system.
Mike
11:12
Why do you think that Landon Alexander is not getting more Division I looks? I think he may be one of the best athletes in the WPIAL.
Mike White
11:15
He might be the best running back in the WPIAL. But that doesn't always mean Division I scholarship. I've written about this and coach Mark Lyons has talked about it. I think he is somewhat a victim of recruiting after COVID. Teams might not be offering a running back who they question whether he is a top running back. Also Lyons has said some teams are hung up on 40 time and things like that, instead of how you "play" on the field. Truth be told, Alexander doesn't have a great 40 time. Personally, I think he is a FCS recruit (Division I-AA) with a ceiling of the MAC (FBS). And there is nothing wrong with that.
11:16
One other thing. You look at the history of Western Pa. recruits. We don't produce many Power 5 conference running backs. Personally, I don't think people around here realize how good, how fast, how athletic and how strong you have to be to make it as a RB on the Power 5 level.
ejcain77
11:16
In 2A football who's your two teams do you think's going to make it to heinz. And who do you think has a outside chance.
Mike White
11:18
Well, how do you not pick Sto-Rox as one of the teams? They were in finals last year and might be better this year. After that, it's tough to say. I think Serra at Steel Valley game will tell us a lot this week. Both undefeated. Then you've got Washington, which is always good. Is Laurel a sleeper with Luke McCoy? I don't have a second pick yet behind Sto-Rox. I'll have one after the Serra-Sto-Rox game.
RC
11:18
How do you like our BELOVED Clairton Bears chances of winning the WPIAL this year? Down year for us but pretty strong still
Mike White
11:19
This isn't a great Clairton team but still good enough to win title. In fact, I think Clairton is the favorite right now.
SouthHillsguy
11:19
If Moon and Lebo who are both undefeated would play who would win? I know Moon beat Seneca Valley 38-21, Upper St. Clair 14-13, Peters 29-26, and BP 30-0 common opponents BUT I don't think it's close. Lebo with Tecza, Daniels, and Heidenreich they haven't seen skill players like that collectively also they have a very good defense. Lebo 28-10
Mike White
11:20
I'd definitely go with Mt. Lebanon also. Difference is in the skill positions. Not that Moon's skill guys are bad. It's two different styles of football. Moon is power. Doesn't throw much. But don't kid yourself. Palko has Mt. Lebanon playing physical also. But Mt. Lebanon has edge at skill positions.
Talkin Hoops
11:21
Why do kids hop around from school to school for hoops?  If it is for better exposure, isn't the bigger factor AAU?  If you are that good, they will find you!
Mike White
11:23
Sorry, but I don't think it's a real problem around here. Sure, it happens, but no more than football. Yes, the biggest thing in recruiting nowadays - and has been for years - is being seen in AAU season. But I know kids who still get noticed from high school. Heck, Pitt offered Rodney Gallagher as a freshman after Jeff Capel saw him play in a high school game. I remember Robby Carmody getting a big offer after a school saw him in a high school game. AAU is a big part of recruiting now. But I also know a number of Division I coaches who come see kids work out with their high school teams. Heck, I just saw it personally last week.
Mike
11:23
Saw both TJ losses. Made tons of physical and mental mistakes against the port. Bottom line Mckeesport made the plays TJ didn’t.  The only weakness I saw in McKeesport was their pass defense. If BV thinks they will roll over them, they could be in for a long night
Mike White
11:25
That is a really interesting game this week. Post-Gazette Game of the Week. I didn't think McKeesport would be able to run much against TJ and Bobbie Boyd had over 200 yards and McKeesport scored 42 points, which tied the most ever scored by a WPIAL team on a Bill Cherpak-coached team. Belle Vernon's defense is good, though. And Belle Vernon has more speed and more weapons on offense than TJ. I like Belle Vernon. But McKeesport coach Matt Miller deserves a shoutout for what he has done.
SouthernBeltway
11:26
What happened to Peters? They beat Penn Trafford, almost beat moon and blew out West A. But BP and USC blew them out! Like my Panthers chances in the playoffs.
Mike White
11:26
That's a good question. I don't know, either. Maybe some injuries. But just goes to show how good that conference is.
Brad Windhorst - EC
11:27
I know it will be a preview for sure for Friday but 2A MAC showdown for the 5th seed of playoffs - Freedom @ New Brighton - Who do you got?
Mike White
11:27
A preview? I don't know what you mean by a preview. But I will take New Brighton.
WPIAL Lifer
11:27
Do you see Aliquippa choosing 2A for football next cycle? Tons of Beaver Co. schools in 2A MAC make for easy travel and familiar foes. Plus the risk of being forced up to 4A due to success points make 3A a risky choice. Agree?
Mike White
11:29
Let's get this straight: Aliquippa doesn't have a choice of where to play next year. They will be 4A again and it's not their choice. They got bumped to 4A the past two years because of the new PIAA competition formula. The rules of the formula are a little hard to understand and tough to explain. But just know this: Under the rules, because Aliquippa went to WPIAL final last year and has transfer students, they will stay in Class 4A next year, like it or not. They can appeal this to the PIAA, but it's pretty clear in the "competition formula" rules. Even PIAA director says so.
Coach O
11:30
First question today about Farrell and McCluskey reminded me of great times as a kid/teenager growing up in Aliquippa and my dad taking me to Section 3 games. What battles. Intense. Every night. Great teams, legendary coaches. A little before your time. In all your years following/covering high school BB, any teams, or rivalries, playoff games, etc that are front and center in your memory bank?
Mike White
11:32
I know all about old Section 3 basketball. It was one of a kind. Nothing like it. And during a time when only section champs went to playoffs. As for great rivalries, back in the day North Allegheny and North Hills rivalry in football was very heated. For a while more recently, Aliquippa and Beaver Falls had a great rivalry in basketball. I'd have to think or more, but some of the rivalries in the WPIAL have gone by the wayside because teams in different classifications.
Pedro412
11:33
Can anyone stop W Allegheny's men's soccer team?
Mike White
11:34
I say not, Pedro. No one shot of Pele and Ronaldo. ... West Allegheny is 19-0 and allowed only five goals.
SouthHillsguy
11:34
Landon Alexander is a really good running back but again my opinion Tecza from Lebo is the best rb in the WPIAL. He's is doing it against tougher competition 5A/6A.
Mike White
11:35
Tecza is really good but don't sell Alexander short just because he's in 3A. He's very good. He had big game against Aliquippa - and Aliquippa's defense is pretty darn good. But I do really like Tecza. And Heidenreich, too.
Ron
11:35
Mike, direct any good movies lately? Lol. I personally love seeing people send you dirty tweets about the Film Director Mike White’s films and you play right along with it!
Mike White
11:37
You're talking about Mike White, the film director. I think it's hilarious that people see my Twitter and think I'm him. Why not play along? Hey I deserve an Emmy. And now I'm playing QB for the Jets, as well as coaching Florida basketball.
WPIAL Lifer
11:37
Thank you for clarifying next year's status, and let me re-state my question: the next time Aliquippa has to declare a classification for football, do you see them declaring 2A?
Bring Back Render
11:38
Mike if USC flops again in the playoffs do they give Junko his walking papers ? The program has become very "meh".
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