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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.27.20
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Mike White
10:58
It's playoff time - and also chat time. Let's go. Send questions.
Guest
11:00
Question about 3A Football. Which do you see as being more accurate? Central Valley is THAT dominant of a football team or 3A as a whole lacks any competitive depth amongst its' teams?
Mike White
11:01
Both. 6 classes waters things down in some classes. 3A is a perfect example - and plus Aliquippa moved up. Central Valley head and shoulders above everyone, although North Catholic is still intriguing. But not much depth in terms of high quality teams in 3A. But that could be said for a few other classes.
Guyin412
11:01
Hey Mike, I hope you are doing well. Quick question... What is it going to take for PPG to drop the Beaver from South Side High School? They are the only South Side School District in the WPIAL, and in the PIAA. I see the WPIAL is now recognizing them as South Side or South Side Area. I’m sure you have the pull to get this done!
Mike White
11:03
No answer for you. Kind of always has been that way, especially when there was old South Side High in city and South High. But we're not only ones. "South Side Beaver" is still used a lot.
Mole
11:05
Mike when was aliquippa last undefeated for the year?answer 1955 wow
Mike White
11:05
Yes, you are correct, Mr. Aliquippa. A kid by the name of Mike Ditka was on that team. Beat Mt. Lebanon 14-13 for the championship.
Sean Metcalf
11:05
What’s your prediction for 6a? Who has been most impressive?
Mike White
11:07
Not a great team in 6A this year. Good teams. No real good one. North Allegheny is unbeaten. Defense is really good, especially against run. Allowing only 41 yards a game rushing. But offense won't wow you. I legitimately could see any one of the four teams left winning it.
Zman
11:07
So Columbia ranked #1 in 2A again, have you heard through grapevine whether this year’s team is their typical juggernaut or will west champ have a better chance than last couple years?
Mike White
11:07
This team isn't as good as last year. No way. Lost too many big time players. But they're still really good. Until someone beats them, they are No. 1.
Zman
11:08
Hats off to McKeesport for TJ win but another contributing factor was no Ian Hansen for TJ. Like you’ve said, not as good this year can’t withstand a loss to key player like that. Do you know if he is done for the year?
Mike White
11:09
Not sure about Hansen. Heard he "might" be done, but I know nothing definitive. Definitely big loss. Little guy who does big things. No way TJ could be as good as last year. But they are still good. Not to take anything away from McKeesport, but TJ gave that game away with four turnovers. And hey, that happens sometimes. I wouldn't want to play TJ in playoffs. But I don't know if this is one of TJ's best teams. From what I've seen and watching game last week, they don't have that real good running back that they usually have.
Quad North Fan
11:10
Rank the your projected Champions in order of your confidence in them winning. I would guess Central Valley would be your most confident pick. How do the other classes stack up for you?
Mike White
11:11
Yes, Central Valley would be No. 1. I "forecasted" North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Thomas Jefferson, Central Valley and Clairton. That's five No. 1 seeds. Hate to go with so much "chalk" but they appear to be the best. But I don't feel strongly about anyone in 6A. That's wide open. Clairton seems really, really good. But Jeannette did give them a game in season opener.
Quad North Fan
11:11
Dp you know if Seneca Valley QB and RB who have been hurt will be back for playoffs? Same question for Tillman from PCC?
Mike White
11:12
Seneca Valley coach Ron Butschle classified running back Ethan West as questionable for this week's game. I can tell you NA coach Art Walker expects him to play.
Quad North Fan
11:12
How are state rankings compiled by the P-G? Are their a group of sportswriters across the state you talk to when coming up with the rankings?
Mike White
11:14
Poll sports writers and some radio people around the state in preseason. Talk with our high school guys at Post-Gazette and then make rankings. Then follow teams around the state throughout the season with scores. And still talk to some writers around the state.
Mike B
11:14
Mike, who do you think is the best linemen in the Wpial this year?
Mike White
11:15
I don't have answer for that right now. Have to think. I know Miguel Jackson of Pine-Richland has to be in the conversation.
Guest
11:15
how likely is it springdale wins their class ?
Mike White
11:15
Ahhhh, not very.
Q-ip
11:15
Why so much hate on my guys from South Park? They were the 2nd place team in their conference and played three ranked teams? EA had five wins but not one of the teams they beat had more than 2 wins all season.
Mike White
11:21
There's no hate. Just some good debate. Always is with brackets. And c'mon. East Allegheny has a legitimate beef. Yes, EA didn't beat any juggernauts. But South Park lost three of their final 4, got outscored by 63-2 against EF and North Catholic and lost to a South Allegheny team that didn't even make playoffs. South Park beat Yough, Brownsville and Southmoreland. I don't think people have as much a beef about South Park as Mount Pleasant being seeded ahead of East Allegheny.
Tom
11:21
Coach Z won when he was at aliquippa due to the natural talent that surrounded him.  He was exposed at Seton-LaSalle and Ringgold for being a product of natural talent.
Mike White
11:23
Tom, a coach this week told me, "Nick Saban wouldn't win at Ringgold and Seton LaSalle." How true. Yes, he had great talent at Aliquippa. But I haven't seen a coach yet who has won big with mediocre talent. Can't you just give someone credit for being successful? There's something to be said for doing something with good talent - and there's a lot of other things you have to deal with at Aliquippa. Mike was really good. Mike Warfield is doing really well also. Let's just give Mike Zmijanac his due.
Buzzy
11:23
Alot of people said HS sports wouldn't get here, but it's playoffs for all Fall sports....GOOD!!!
Mike White
11:23
Wooooo hooooo.!!!
Zack K
11:23
What does Mount Lebo need to do to win 6A
Mike White
11:24
Score more points than Central Catholic this week and also in the title game. How's that? No, I think their defense has to come through and they just to play a well-rounded game. They do not have any stars. But might be playing as good as anyone in 6A right now.
Scott P
11:24
Is Keystone Oaks quarterback out for the South Park game?
Mike White
11:24
I don't know anything about it. Maybe you know something.
Quad North Fan
11:25
How's this group at Pine compare to the 2017 team. No Jurkovec is clearly a big deal.
Mike White
11:27
Good question. Cole Spencer is obviously very good, but he ain't Phil. And that's OK. This team is very good, but I don't think you can really give an honest answer to this subject yet - until you see what happens. If Pine would win the state, we could then discuss. But that 2017 team was awfully, awfully strong.
JP
11:27
About the TJ game they made a furious comeback in the 4th quarter and had McKeesport on the ropes and could have won but for two questionable penalties on their last drive.
Mike White
11:28
Yes. Have no idea if calls were good or not. But the officials didn't turn the ball over four times.
What the ?
11:28
So who is the committee that decides the seeds ? Have they ever actually watch the game of Football because it appears as if they haven't ?
Mike White
11:30
12 people who are ADs, former ADs, some administrators. But c'mon. No matter who you have on a committee, when you make seeds and selections, you are going to always get second-guessed. And it should be that way. But there were a few seeds this year that are real head scratchers.
Joe Moore
11:30
Hey Mike. Think my old team USC wins on Friday ? Who would they play after that ?
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