Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.03.26
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Mike White
11:00
Well, it's WPIAL football playoff time. This is the 55-year anniversary of the first WPIAL playoffs. League started championship games in 1915, but had only championship games until playoffs started in 1971. I think the WPIAL football committee did a very good job with brackets and seedings - except one head scratcher in Class 3A. So let's talk. And hey, official start of hoops practice is two weeks from Friday. Great time of year.
Dgs
11:00
Do you think that the WPIAL got it wrong wrong with the hope I’ll be a number three seed
Mike White
11:04
Is that a typo or you trying to be funny? As I just said, football committee, in my eyes, did a fine job. But the 3A No. 1 seed is head scratcher. Scenario is that Avonworth, Propel and Hopewell are definitely top three teams. They all played each other and were 1-1 against each other. So head to head really can't matter. But no way Propel can be No. 1 because it finished second in conference. So that leaves Hopewell and Avonworth. Hopewell beat Avonworth, 34-14, in season opener. I know Avonworth didn't have top RB and first start for sophomore QB. But you can't ignore that game. WPIAL used some head to head when deciding wild cards. Why not here? I'm not the only one who is miffed. Now Avonworth might end up being best team. But doesn't what happened on the field matter, no matter when it was?
Seton-Canevin
11:04
Very Sloppy Game. That is the downfall of dominating opponents all year. When you are tasked with playing a close game, the players do not respond well and they are not used to it.
Mike White
11:05
You are talking Seton vs. Canevin game. I'd say forget it. Good chance they meet again.
Mr Ed
11:05
Do you think it’s fair that WPIAL selection committee factored in Clairton’s  forfeit loss into their #3 seeding? On the field, their only loss was to Farrell, who are in 2A state rankings and of course they won at Wash High.
Mike White
11:08
Yes, I think it's fair. I talked to WPIAL boss Vince Sortino. He flat out said "yes" when asked whether forfeits mattered in some team's seeding - Clairton and Woodlad Hills. And I say it should matter. It clearly says in PIAA by laws that teams that forfeit a game can be penalized. Woodland Hills forfeited for breaking rules. They should face some kind of penalty. Clairton forfeited because of coaching situation. Sortino said he is writing letters to all teams that forfeited games and that it shouldn't happen again. Sortino used the word "disgusted" when discussing forfeits.
Plum Borough
11:08
I don't like the fact that AD is filing a formal complaint.  Was he at the game?  Did he see how Plum players, coaches, and fans were behaving.  I am not a fan of PR by any means, but come on, accept a majority of the blame.  The PR player made a stupid mistake.  Punches are thrown all the time and missed in games.  This one is magnified because he is a national recruit.  Do better adults!  I did not use his name because he is a minor.
Mike White
11:11
You are talking about the Plum-Pine-Richland game Friday. There was a skirmish between players. I've seen video. I'll use the Pine player's name because it happened in a game and is on video. It was Khalil Taylor. He clearly threw a punch. Nothing happened to him. Officials I guess missed it. I wouldn't say Plum "filed a complaint." They did send video to WPIAL office because PIAA rules clearly state a punch means an automatic ejection and possible two-game supplemental suspension. I'm writing some about this in my Prep Talk notes for tomorrow. WPIAL boss Vince Sortino said they can't be watching video of something that happened and take any action when officials didn't do anything. They would be viewing videos all day. I'm not saying I agree with that. I'm just telling you what he said.
TW
11:11
Wild time PR vs Plum….PUNCHES THROWN …NO ONE TOSSED….
Mike White
11:11
See above.
Woody
11:12
What are your thoughts on Woody getting screwed due to the forfeits and NH getting the 4-seed?
Mike White
11:13
See above. I have no problem with teams that forfeit games getting a lower seed. Woodland Hills broke rules and had to forfeit. It clearly says in PIAA rules that teams that forfeit could face penalties. Well the penalties might be seeding in playoffs. It does say that if a team forfeits for no reason could be barred from playoffs.
Dgs
11:13
Do you think Hopewell can win the 3A title
Mike White
11:15
No. No chance. Booboo Armstrong and his teammates should hand in uniforms today and start basketball workouts. C'mon, man. "Do I think Hopewell can win the 3A title?" Of course they can. Many think, including myself, that they should be the No. 1 seed. That doesn't mean I don't think Avonworth can't win it, because they can. Avonworth is very good. I just think Hopewell should be the No. 1 seed because they beat Avonworth.
Forfeits
11:15
Any word on what wpial will do about Yough forfeit and Springdale/Leechburg? Also, Quaker Valley vs Carlynton was postponed with no reason?
Mike White
11:16
I have no idea as of yet. As I said, WPIAL boss Vince Sortino said he is sending letters to all teams that forfeited this year and asking them to take steps so it doesn't happen again and making them aware that they could face penalties.
Dgs
11:16
I’ll leave it right here Hopewell will win 3A they could feel disrespected and will show up
Mike White
11:18
Ahhh, that wouldn't surprise me. But Avonworth I'm sure feels they are the best team - and they should feel that way. And I'm sure Propel feels they can win it. 3A might turn out to be more interesting than any other class. And how about what Hopewell coach Matt Mottes said on KDKA playoff show Saturday. "I wish they would've given us the No. 16 seed so we could end Avonworth's season the first week." Woooooooo.
Dgs
11:18
And they will again with or without their star running back
Mike White
11:18
What do you mean?
Spell
11:19
Is Kemon fully cleared for playoffs? Can Mckeesport finally get off the schneid?
Mike White
11:22
All I know is he carried six times two weeks ago and nine times this past week. So if he can carry nine times, I would imagine he is cleared. With him back, McKeesport can win it all. But I think he'll need to run for at least 200 yards if McKeesport is to win playoff games.
Dgs
11:22
We will beat Avonworth again with that star running back they have just saying
Mike White
11:22
Put that on a T-shirt, Underdog.
Forfeits
11:22
I understand the WPIAL punishing Clairton and Woodland Hills for the forfeits, but does it not also punish the other teams in the bracket? For example, Shenango gets the 2 seed, but if Clairton is the rightful 1 seed, it essentially gives Shenango the 4 seed as they have to go through Clairton in the semi finals.
Mike White
11:24
Good point. I see what you're saying. But if the WPIAL put Shenango at No. 4, they would get even more criticism. I have no problem putting Shenango at No. 2. If you put Clairton at No. 1, Washington would go to 3. That's no bargain, either.
Beaver County Fan
11:24
Interesting situation at Beaver: they have one of the top QBs in the WPIAL and now go into the playoffs having its backup start due to the eligibility rule. Usually those things get overturned by the PIAA. We may not always hear about it, but how often does a significant player (QB, RB) play a season but not the playoffs? What is the most notable that you can recall?
Mike White
11:27
Yep, you're talking about Jaivin Peel. I wouldn't say "usually" they get overturned. Yes, it happens but "usually" is a little strong. You just don't hear about it unless it's a notable player. The rule is if you transfer after your sophomore season, you are ineligible for the playoffs at your new school unless you meet one of the exceptions. Peel did not meet that. He changed schools five times in high school. There have been good players who have been ineligible for playoffs. One that comes to mind right away is basketball player Peter Kramer at Hampton. He transferred from Shady Side Academy back to Hampton as a junior, but was ineligible for the playoffs, even though he lived in Hampton. He made the Fab 5 as a senior.
Mr Ed
11:27
Is Clairton’s Brandon Murphy going to play again this year? To me, that would clearly separate them from what I feet right now is a pretty closely bunched 4-5 teams in 1A.
Mike White
11:27
Sorry Mr. Ed, but I have no idea. Yes, he would make a big difference.
Steve
11:28
I know McKeesport is extremely good and spell in #1 and rightfully so, but I think Blackhawks running game can match them and maybe just maybe sneak an upset.
Mike White
11:29
I don't disagree. Blackhawk is pretty good I think and yes they have a strong running game. But If Spell plays and is near full strength, give me McKeesport.
dgs
11:29
Think about this scenario: beginning of the season, Hopewell knocked off preseason number one, ends up at the stadium in Pittsburgh to knock off number one, to close out the season. Boom, there it is
Mike White
11:29
Ohhhhhhh, you're so bold.
X
11:30
I saw Penn Trafford again last week. I didn't realize that they've been destroying teams while Yacamelli missed 5 games.  Against WH, they typically subbed Yacamelli for Grabowski and they both ran wildcat.  Against Latrobe, they had them in simultaneously.    PT offensive line dominated again.   It's hard to tell how that line matches up against a PR or USC, but if they can have anywhere near the success they had against Latrobe or Woodland Hills, I like their chances.  Kicker hit from 48 I believe....looked like it would've had a good chance from 58.   Grabowski, Yacamelli, and #26 are ll big athletic skill position guys that go both ways.  Do you know if any of those 3 are being recruited?
Mike White
11:32
Depends what you classify as "being recruited." Are they power conference or FBS guys? Not that I know of. Doesn't mean they aren't very good. Penn-Trafford is very good and I think they have a chance for title. But I'll still go with Pine-Richland. I saw them once. Strader is unlike any QB in 5A. Taylor is a beast. And their lines beat up on North Hills. It would take a lot to beat Pine, but they aren't UNBEATABLE.
X
11:32
I"m happy that Crampa has made his way back to the playing field.    I wonder if his absence may have helped McKeesport in a sense....develop their passing game and another rb.   I say this because Spell is likely to be excellent regardless.  It's nice to see Robinson getting some touches.  He had a beautiful catch in the end zone last week.  I agree regarding Spell....needs 200+ for them to win WPIAL.   Do you know if he played d the past 2 weeks?
Mike White
11:37
I said earlier this season that no way McKeesport can win WPIAL if its passing game doesn't improve. They don't have to throw for 200 yards a game, but they have to have at least a semblance of a little passing game. You're right about Spell out. It gave them a chance to work on passing game maybe. And it has improved. Last three games Stuvaints is 26 of 35 for 436 yards. That's efficient. And Robinson caught 6 passes last week. If they can complete maybe 10 passes a game and throw for 125-140 yards and if Spell is healthy and runs for 200 plus,  they'll be tough to beat
Steve
11:38
I’m all for upsets lol, which is one that you think has the highest chance of happening? Whether it’s first round or down the line?
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