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Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.22.17
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Mike White
11:57
Happy Thanksgiving everyone - a day early. Chat got pushed back a day. Store is now open. Let's go.
herb pope
11:57
Surprised by how Rushell Shell's career turned out?
Mike White
12:00
No and yes. First off, I don't think people in Western Pa. realize how good a running back has to be - the talent he must have - to be a big time RB at Div. 1 level. Think of it, we don't produce a lot of them. I thought Shell would be good in college, but I didn't know how good. Did he get too big? I don't know. Maybe. He had his moments in college. Big game as a freshman at Pitt. Some decent games at WVU. But not what I think a lot of people expected.
Palko for Ringgold coach
12:00
since Ringgold doesn't want to pay their teachers a fair salary, shouldn't they use that money to give Bob Palko the coaching job at Ringgold?
Mike White
12:02
Really? You seriously think Bob Palko would be interested in going to Ringgold? Please. Why in the world would he do that? Plus, he still hasn't resigned at West Allegheny. But I'll tell you a job that I know would have him interested. Robert Morris. John Banaszak resigned. And honestly, if I'm RMU I'm giving him a serious look. Would be a good move I think. A high school coach going to that level? It can work with the right guy. Look at what Greg Gattuso did going from Seton LaSalle to Duquesne years ago.
Nigel
12:02
better high school quarterback?  Tyler Palko or Phil Jurkovec?
Mike White
12:05
Great question. Have had this debate with a few people. I love Tyler Palko the player. I think he is underrated in the WPIAL as far as all-time great players. Since I've been doing this 30 some years, I'd put him in my top 6-7 players. And he was a darn good quarterback. Even in college. He and Jurkovec are different types of quarterbacks, though. I'd love to start a team with either. Remember Tyler also was a standout safety. So in high school, you get two players. But I'd give Phil the edge at QB. I hope Tyler or his brother doesn't bust me up the next time I see them after saying that.
Nigel
12:06
the title games were an overall dud this year, can you think of a worse year?
Mike White
12:08
What you don't like 2-0 games when one team has 20 penalties and there are something like 8 turnovers between them. But hey, Aliquippa vs. QV was at least close. Gateway-Penn-Trafford was very good game. Honestly, the games went pretty much to script, I think. I truly thought Quaker Valley and Aliquippa would be close. I thought Gateway-Penn-Trafford would be very good. I thought Pine would blow out Central and I thought TJ would handle Montour. That's what happened.
12:09
Honestly, that first game in the morning every year is not very good. I know. Stan Savran and I do it every year for TV and it's rarely good. Sometimes it's close. But usually has no flow to it. No crispness. It might be because it's in the morning and hardly anybody is there.
Nigel
12:09
do you think teams today are better than teams from say the 90's?  it seems like teams today are more balanced with a passing game, while teams back then seemed to just run the ball
Mike White
12:10
Well they score more because of the throwing. But I don't know if I'd necessarily say they are better. Some of those top teams from the 90s would play with some of the top teams today.
Charleroi4Life
12:10
who wins?  Central Catholic 2004 or Pine Richland
Mike White
12:13
Man, that 2004 Central defense was terrific. One of best ever. Saw them hold Shady McCoy to something below 50 yards in state semifinals. I'd say this. Ask me again after states. Let's see how Pine does in states and then I'll pick a winner. I think Pine's place in history will truly be determined in the next three weeks. If they win the whole thing and continue to score, they have to go down as one of the best teams. But let's wait and see.
wpial fan boy
12:13
who would you bet on?  TJ or Gateway in a matchup?
Mike White
12:13
I'd pay to see that one. And I think I might take TJ.
wpial fan boy
12:13
why doesn't AT&T Sports televise the A and AA title games?  they televise regular season games so why not title games?
Mike White
12:14
What people continue to fail to understand is it takes money, lots and lots of money, to televise games, especially live. And truth be told, some of the lower class high school games in the past don't exactly get big ratings.
wpial fan boy
12:15
Dinucci looked amazing in the same offense as Phil, yet he looks horrible at Pitt, is it possible Phil won't live up to the hype?
Mike White
12:17
Yes it's the same offense. But I think they're totally different players. Jurkovec is definitely above him, and that's not meant as a knock to Ben. He had a terrific senior year. He had a good arm. But Phil is in a different class as far as athlete. Much, much better runner. I remember that was a knock against DiNucci. He didn't move well. Ben also had that weird release, winding up to throw. Remember, until Pitt came along late, DiNucci was going to go to Ivy League. But don't give up on DiNucci yet.
Spidermonkey
12:17
Hey Mike!  First off, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!  Second, Jeannette finally conquered The Clairton Curse... The Kennedy kid is for real!  Your thoughts on Jeannette QB Seth Howard?  The WPIAL should get to know him.
Mike White
12:18
I have not seen Jeannette play yet. Will see them Saturday. The Kennedy kid has been terrific. The Howard kid must be good if they moved Kennedy to WR. Should be a good game vs. imani.
wpial fan boy
12:18
if your Terry Smith, are you happy Gateway finally got over the hump, or are you bitter for not winning one yourself when you had far more talented teams than this one?
Mike White
12:19
C'mon. Be happy. It's your alma mater. Don't be bitter at someone else's success. Don Holl has been tremendous for Gateway. Really. But remember also. Those Terry Smith teams played in WPIAL's largest class.
Spidermonkey
12:20
Third, Robert Morris is going to conduct a nation wide search for it’s next coach.  It should start and end in Imperial, PA just minutes from their campus.  Any insight to Bob Palko at least getting an interview for that job?  He would have RMU nationally ranked within 3 years.
Mike White
12:20
Already addressed this earlier. See above. I think it fits. Bob for the Bobs.
Spidermonkey
12:20
One more thing regarding the Palko to RMU possibility...Larry Kehres started out as a swim coach at Mt. Union.  Look how that turned out.  I️ am sure Palko is a good swimmer but I️ bet he is even a better football coach.   Your thoughts Mike?
Mike White
12:21
Bob Palko and Michael Phelps are one in the same person.
Bumper Pool
12:22
Mike...great job at WPIAL telecast. You have a face for newsprint.
Mike White
12:22
Thanks Bumper Pool. That's what makes these chats so good is insight and intelligence like yours.
Mike
12:22
Do you think a TJ win against Erie Cathedral will be as close to a miracle as the 1980 US Olympic Team... After all, it is a HS Team going up against a team that the best money can buy. Years ago, New Jersey, made the Catholic, Charter & Private schools compete in their own division on a State Level.
Mike White
12:23
Thomas Jefferson winning would undoubtedly be a big upset - and accomplishment. Yep, public and private operate in different worlds. But it's not going to change.
Kevin
12:23
your feelings on Catholic schools ability to recruit players.  Is there any end in site?  How would you resolve this problem?
Mike White
12:24
It's not going to change. No need to waste typing strokes going over it again.
Shimmed up
12:24
Any truth to the reports that West Allegheny wide receiver coach and RMU alum Tim levcik has the inside track to the job with the colonials?
Mike White
12:25
No idea.
DT
12:25
How do you see the TJ-Erie Prep game going?
Mike White
12:26
Erie Prep winning, but TJ gives them a game. Prep has kids going to Notre Dame, Penn State, Iowa, Navy, Ohio U. Loaded. Although I think this might be TJ's best chance. Only lost 28-21 two years ago.
Saints
12:26
Who do you think is going to win the games on sat and what did   u think of Jeannette and imani pulling the upset
Mike White
12:27
Jeannette and Imani pulling the upset??? You mean in semifinals??? I don't really consider either of those upsets, even though Clairton blew out Jeannette in regular season. No way that was going to happen again.
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