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Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.14.17
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Mike White
9:52
Cloudy, dreary out. But great time of year for high school sports. Super Saturday at Heinz this weekend with four WPIAL title games. Class 2A and 1A semis Friday night. And to top it off, official start of high school basketball practices is Friday. You got questions? Fire away. We are now open for business.
John
9:53
Mike do you see possible Riverside North Catholic rematch?
Mike White
9:54
Sure it's possible but not likely. I'd pick both to lose but I think North might have a better shot to win. This Zack Rocco has certainly been impressive. A good QB can take a team far in playoffs. But if I had to predict, it would be Steel Valley and Wash. High in final.
John
9:56
I think QV handles business this Saturday. Had a few drops last time around.
Mike White
9:58
I expect it to be close. Quips pulled one out last week against Beaver. Quaker Valley has been impressive. I think a big key is whether Aliquippa can run the ball successfully. And I don't really buy championship experience being as big a factor as some people think.
Mike
9:58
When will the WPIAL and PIAA start actually using neutral sites for playoff games instead of playing them 2 miles from one school and 100 miles from the other school?
Mike White
10:03
Well first off, you have to understand about PIAA games. In early rounds, one of the districts gets to play in their district. That's why it might not seem fair to you. In semis, they try to use more netural sites. As for WPIAL, they do the best they can. What people don't realize is that not all sties are always available. I don't really have much of a problem with the semifinal sites this weekend. Only one might be Jeannette-Clairton at EF. But that's not that bad. It's 19 miles from Jeannette to EF. It is 5 miles from Clairton to EF. But what would be better.???
10:06
Just FYI if you didn't know. FIrst two games Saturday at Heinz will be live on AT&T SportsNet. Quips-Quaker Valley at 11 and Central-Pine at 2. Other two finals will be shown on delay after Pens game.
10:08
Every year I hear complaints about games on delay and station should not carry Pens game.  I hear it again this year. But really? That TV station is a business. Do you know the difference in ratings between a Penguins game and a high school championship? Huge. And also advertising revenue. Consider it fortunate that AT&T does two games live.
Ghost of Deuce
10:08
Will any injuries effect the championship games?
Mike White
10:09
Well Ghost of Deuce, one of Pine-Richland's top receivers is Ray Falcone. He didn't play past two games because of injured knee. But I understand a decent chance he plays this week. Central Catholic leading rusher Khalil Weathers is out.
Jinx
10:11
Can California come out of the Tri County South Conference and win a title?
Mike White
10:12
Well sure they "can." But will they? I said at start of playoffs that Cal is for real. Doesn't mean they will definitely beat Imani this week and go on to win it all. But I like this team. Already beat Imani once. To win, Cal has to keep the "Mini Bus" rolling. 6-1, 260-pound halfback Jelani Stafford. Cal will go how he goes.
Datdude
10:13
Who you got PT or Gateway and can the winner beat Harrisburg
Mike White
10:14
I'm taking P-T, although I got Gateway wrong last week. They played earlier this year and P-T shut out Gateway. I don't see that happening again. I expect this one to be close. Gateway QB Walker was a little banged up in first P-T game. It was at P-T. This one will be different but I expect another P-T win. First title ever for Penn-Trafford.
Ghost of Deuce
10:15
Mike I seen Ohio State was in town yesterday. Looks like they made a few offers.
Mike White
10:17
You "seen?" C'mon Deuce. I expect gooder English. But yes, they offered Aliquippa DB M.J. Devonshire and Pine tackle Andrew Kristofic. Not a surprise. They recruit some WPIAL kids every year, although I don't think next year is a very good year for WPIAL as far as high end talent.
Jinx
10:21
Mike did WVU offer M.J. Devonshire too??
Mike White
10:21
I think he might have already had WVU offer
Maroo
10:22
Mike, do you know why the championship games are played in the order they have determined? 3A first game, 6A second, etc.....Used to be single A through Quad A in that succession until a few years ago.
Mike White
10:24
TV. WPIAL wants 3A game first. That's a given. Always start with smallest class. That draws the smallest crowd. The rest of the order is TV driven. It's who AT&T wants live. If you recall, last year the 5A game between West A and McKeesport was second because AT&T thought that might be the best game. It was. One of the best in decades. Went to OT. They thought others might be blowouts. They were. This year, makes perfect sense to put 6A game second so that it can be live. Is there a chance of a blowout? Yes. But I think there are average people out there who want to see this Phil Jurkovec and Pine team play. Some star power attracts viewers.
Baker M.
10:25
Mike, Will Central be able to slow down Pine-Richland enough to win? Crawford was a 1 man wrecking ball the last time these two met. If Central loads the box like NA did do they have the Secondary to slow (can't stop) #15?
Mike White
10:26
Well no one has been able to slow Pine yet? Will playing on grass slow down Pine? Doubt it. They're too good. I can't see Pine being held below 35 unless there is a bunch of mistakes. Central is going to hope for No. 15 to have an off day for once and hope they can score a lot of points.
Jinx
10:26
Is John Gay who plays for Penn Trafford the son of John Gay who played at WVU?   And, is he the grandson of John "Doughboy" Gay who starred for Chuck Klausing for the 1959 Braddock Tigers?
Mike White
10:28
Yes and yes. This is John Gay III. John Gay the second played for Gateway and then WVU. How bout that? Now it's Penn-Trafford and Gateway. And John Gay II did indeed play for Braddock in 50s. There was a John Gay I but we don't know much about him
And speaking of Penn-Trafford and Gateway. Should be interesting week for P-T coach John Ruane. He teaches at Gateway
David
10:28
You keep saying that about the 2019 class but there are some hidden gems there. The running back from Keystone Oaks the Center from TJ ... I'm sure there are more.
Mike White
10:29
Oh yes, without a doubt some Division I players. Just not many high-end type players compared to other years.
Bob
10:29
Who you got. Pine or central?
Mike White
10:29
How do you not take Pine?
DT
10:31
TJ going all the way through state until they meet Erie Prep, as usual?
Mike White
10:31
Which would be first round of states.
Mark
10:32
Mike, do you know if either of the 1A or 2A semis will be televised on Friday?
Mike White
10:33
Not live.
chris
10:34
if riverside can run the ball and control the clock while limiting the big play against SV...do you think they have  a shot? first time they met this year....it was a 7 point game early in the 4th quarter and riverside was missing 2 key players
Mike White
10:36
Yes Riverside has a shot.  Or course they do. This is not the 2016 Steel Valley team. But this Steel Valley team is still really good and doesn't give up a lot of points. Riverside did score 28 on SV, but that was in first game. That was a long time ago. I don't put that much stock into that game. I think Riverside will score points, but not enough to win.
Rohn Juane
10:37
Gotta be up for Coach of the Year?  All the guy does is win, win, and win some more...  Warriors are a well-oiled machine and I don't even see this game being close...
Mike White
10:38
Disagree. Will be close. And agree on Ruane. I've been a JR backer for a while. Has done a tremendous job. Belongs in upper echelon of WPIAL coaches. But this year there are a few other good candidates for coach of the year. Honestly, I think coach of the year will depend on how the next few weeks play out.
10:40
Speaking earlier about games on TV. Yours truly and the legendary Stan Savran will have the call on the Quips-Quaker Valley. Always look forward to working with Stan. Rob King and Chris Schneider will handle the other three games but I think there is a chance of a special third man in the booth for the Pine-RIchland game.
Parkway
10:40
Mike- How do you feel TJ will stack up against Montour.  I think Cerro is one of the better X and O guys in the Wpial and has always found a way.  His track record against TJ in playoffs isnt great, but those were some pretty hefty TJ squads.
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