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Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.28.23
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Mike White
11:40
You have to really like the freshman Spell. He could turn out to be a really good one. I don't know. Aliquippa's defense seemed to have answers no matter who ran fall.
WPIAL Lifer
11:40
Mike, has there been a year when WPIAL-City League had a team in all six state football finals? With the 'House getting past Farrell, it feels like this is the best shot in a while.
Mike White
11:42
In 2021, there were five. That was the most. That year, there was no WPIAL team in Class 1A final. Clairton lost to Bishop Guilfoyle in semis.
Jeff
11:42
Beaver Falls is destine and Westinghouse is another strong team who do you like ?
Mike White
11:43
Having trouble picking this one. Westinghouse wins have been impressive lately, especially after falling behind Farrell 14-0 at Farrell. I think I might take Westinghouse.
CanonJack
11:44
If Peters advances this week, can they or anyone compete with IMOTEP? IMOTEP’s offensive numbers/points are crazy, like no other. We are in Week 15 and not once in either local paper has Peters been the team of the week and only recently had one player all year to receive player of the week, which is interesting given their output offensively and very stingy defense. Peters won its first WPIAL championship, has several Power 5 caliber players, has a defense that shut down 4 prolific offenses (including Pine, who beat Central handidly and Central beat NA in the regular season) and you would never know it. I watched Peters play several times this year, very tough, gang tackle and well coached.
Mike White
11:45
So I guess what you're saying is you think Peters gets no respect or publicity. Please. If you think you're team doesn't get enough pub, just get in line. It's rather long.
Not Johnny Lee
11:46
Thanks for all your hard work this football season and all of your chats.  Great job.  Legends night coming up at the watering hole on Banksville, hope you can make it.
Mike White
11:46
Ohhhhh, is there anything better than Legends Night at Coach's? Too bad Deuce couldn't still be around.
Hoop It Up
11:47
3A basketball - any to watch out for?  Any that will be sleepers?
Mike White
11:48
I think 3A is really open. Some pretty good teams, but no dominant. Might be like last year where a team like Deer Lakes comes out, surprises people and wins title. We put Mohawk No. 1. We put Mohawk, Shady Side and Yough as the top three teams in preseason.
Coach O
11:49
First time I watched Matt Sieg last Friday. Obviously if Penn State and Pitt offered him he’s got the goods but tough to get a read on him in 1A ball. Seemed like a third of their plays were snap it to him and he just runs around the end. Couldn’t do that in 5-6 A ball. Do you size him up as a major college prospect who will make a pretty significant impact at that level?
Mike White
11:52
He is definitely a Division I kid. You mentioned the offers. He's a pretty darn good athlete. No, he wouldn't have the same numbers at 6A. But so what. He's an athlete. You know he broke the school record in the 100 meter dash last spring. I want to say he ran something like a 10.7 or 10.8. Believe me, he can run. I don't know if he's a major college quarterback. A lot will depend on how he develops as a thrower the next two years. And remember, he is supposed to be a pretty high level baseball prospect. Let's just give him time and see how things develop. His story reminds me of Derek Bochna at Mapletown in late 1980s. Derek left Mapletown as leading rusher in WPIAL history. Signed with Penn State. Some doubted him because of Class 1A level. But he started three or four years at Penn State and also played baseball at Penn State.
WPIAL Lifer
11:53
Food for thought: unless either decides to "play up," it looks like Neshannock and Sto-Rox will drop to 1A next two years in football. PIAA cutoff for 1A is 143 boys in current grades 9-11. If Farrell gets the OK to return to WPIAL, they're reporting 133 boys, so they'll be in 1A regardless of District. This doesn't even factor in current 2A private schools (Serra & Imani) who could potentially drop. Just eye-popping what 1A could look like but also sad commentary on population shifts.
Mike White
11:54
I don't have Neshannock and Sto-Rox enrollment numbers. Maybe you do. If they drop, that would certainly be significant. Not sure what will happen with Farrell. Stay tuned on that one. But if all three of those are in Class 1A, they would certainly add to that class.
Alfonso Beerdrinker
11:54
North Allegheny’s budget is truly outrageous. They are practically an SEC school. Per inside sources I can’t reveal, Art Walker’s salary is close to a million dollars, and he doesn’t even teach at the school.
Mike White
11:57
You're wrong. Art Walker makes 20 million a year. There's a slush fund from former NA QB Paul Failla. And all-time NA great Brian Baschnagel gave Art a private helicopter to get to and from practice. I've seen Art's contract. Rumor has it that he wants to buy the Steelers from the Rooneys. Take that info to the bank.
BasketballFan
11:57
Is TJ hoops looking for a comeback year after tough playoff loss to Fox chapel?
Mike White
11:57
I think TJ could be a sleeper team this year in 5A. Even Berger has to be one of top 10 players in WPIAL. I like his game. I think they have a few other players back. Keep an eye on them.
11:59
And that's a wrap. This was a week for multiple idiotic questions. Oh well, it happens. Idiots are everywhere, even on chats. To the people who send "real" questions, thanks. Talk to you next Tuesday at 11.
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