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Mike White's high school football chat: 09.10.19
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Mike White
10:59
Come on in to this chat. You can talk football without mentioning A.B. and how bad the Steelers were. Let's go.
Ballerz
10:59
What game are you heading to Friday night?
Mike White
11:01
We're going to get the Little schools a little love this week. Our game of the week is actually Sto-Rox at Cornell. I might be at that one. Not a strong week for games and there's story lines either way here. Sto-Rox has leading passer in WPIAL. Cornell is 2-0 and has some athletes. Remember they folded their program a few years. I can re-live some memories. Believe it or not, the first game I actually covered for the Post-Gazette on a Friday night, on deadline, was 38 years ago -- at Cornell. Seriously. It was Avonworth at Cornell. WPIAL czar Tim O'Malley was Avonworth's coach and was all salty afterward because they lost.  Oh, the memories.
Ballerz
11:01
Is there a team out there that is surprising you on how well they are playing so far this year? What about the opposite... Is there a team that you would expect more out of this year that hasn't shown it?
Mike White
11:04
West Greene. They're leading the STATE IN SCORING!!! Seriously, who thought West Greene would ever lead the state in scoring. They've made the playoffs four times in school history. Now, they have played some bad teams and are scoring in fourth quarters, but still ... West Greene? As for disappointments? Hey, it's high school. I'm not real into calling out high school kids as being a "disappointment."
N.H. Nick
11:04
Mike, who are the starting quarterback for N.A. and N.H. respectively? Test that knowledge: Also who were the quarterbacks for the the 87 N.A. Tigers and the 87 N.H. undaunted national champion Indians?
Mike White
11:06
North Allegheny's starter is Ben Petschke. North Hills' starter is Dylan Pawling. In 1987? No idea who North Allegheny starter was. I know North HIlls' starter was Greg Morris. Who actually transferred from NA a year earlier. He was a converted running back. North Hills never threw in 1987. Wishbone and ran a ton with Duane Hitchcock, Pat Carey, T.J. Schmitt and Morris. ALso had a big line.
Wike Mhite
11:06
Is Knoch possibly the biggest threat to South Fayette in the 4A Northwest 8 conference?   Hard to tell if they’re the real deal until their stretch in weeks 6-8 where they play Montour, SF and New Castle.  Otherwise, it seems like
Mike White
11:09
I agree, Wike. Certainly Knoch looks like biggest threat now. Knoch is 3-0. Wasn't surprised they beat Beaver but didn't expect to be that bad. I think jury still out on Knoch, but they must be decent. But I have to say, Class 4A isn't exactly strong. Not that many teams in 4A.
Ballerz
11:09
I know this is a HS football chat... but I have to ask. What were your thoughts on the Steelers Sunday night? It just amazes me that they have had all off-season to prepare for Belichick and Brady and yet they still looked like have were caught off-guard.
Mike White
11:11
That's OK. I will say two things. World isn't ending because Steelers got pummeled. It's one game. What surprised me was Steelers just looked like they lacked much energy, enthusiasm or sense of urgency. But when you get behind that quick in New England, energy and confidence can leave mighty quickly.
Haverford89
11:11
This was supposed to be a down/re-building year for Shady Side with the loss of Dino Tomlin and others, only 27 players dressing, etc. However, the Indians are off to a nice 2-0 start with a struggling Steel Valley next. Have the Indians found something, or is this just a mirage given the early season schedule. Thanks!
Mike White
11:13
No offense to Shady Side because I think Chuck DiNardo does a really nice job there. But they've defeated nobody and that conference is really down this year. Doesn't take a whole lot to make the playoffs in that conference. And there is another Tomlin left. Mason had long TD catch the other night. And how about last year's star - Skyy Moore. He is seeing time as receiver at Western Michigan. Had TD catch in first game.
White Mike
11:13
With the “incident” at Jeanette last week, is the WPIAL and or PIAA mandating any extra security at games?  Thank you.
Mike White
11:14
No. It's not their job. Not their jurisdiction to mandate security at school districts. You want every stadium to have more security in the entire state because there was an incident at one school?
Wike Mhite
11:14
What has happened to Seton LaSalle?  Losing record last season and now an 0-2 start this year.   Also, does Coach Z still have “it” or is possible time for him to walk away?
Mike White
11:17
I don't know what "it" is. But RInggold was awful. They still are. Chuck Noll wouldn't have won there. Seton has been competitive. They were beating Brentwood at halftime Friday. Were in game for a while at Burgettstown. I think Seton is starting 3-4 freshmen and some sophomores. Not that many seniors. I would say they will be near .500 this year and with so many young players, the future might be OK.
White Mike
11:17
The run and shoot/ no huddle offense used by Clairton doesn’t seem to be working, especially in the red zone, do you think it’s suitable for high school football?
Mike White
11:18
I have not seen Clairton play. No idea about the Bears. But the no-huddle is being used all over. It's working for a lot of teams. Maybe it's not for everyone, but it certainly looks like it works for some teams.
centralfanz
11:19
Central Catholic was number one in 6A, but they haven't put many points on the board and lost last week.  Is this going to be the norm for them or can they change gears and become an offensive force?
Mike White
11:20
I don't think they will be tremendous offensively at any point. But remember, they played two good defensive teams in Seneca and North Allegheny. I haven't seen Central play yet. Judging from stats, it looks like they don't have a great passing game again. That would help. But their defense is still excellent.
StanM
11:21
Couple of decent 2A teams going it at Friday.  Who do you have as the favorites in the Avonworth vs New Brighton, Riverside vs SSB, and Apollo Ridge vs East Allegheny games Friday?
Mike White
11:23
Avonworth - New Brighton is non conference, but very good game. If you make me pick, I'll take New Brighton although I'm not confidnet of that pick. Riverside plays Western Beaver. Not South Side. I'll take Riverside. Apollo-RIdge vs. EA??? That would be a wild guess, but I'll take A-R.
Pghcoach
11:24
Do you think Coach Z has lost his touch or does Seton not have the athletes that they have had in the past?
Mike White
11:24
I just answered about Seton earlier. Look above.
Wike Mhite
11:24
There’s a bunch of coaches you hear mentioned a lot... Kasperowicz, Walker, Tottenham, Cherpak, Rossi, Palko, etc.   Who are a couple of lesser discussed coaches who impress you with their ability to prepare their teams?
Mike White
11:27
Tottenham??? Why you bringing soccer into this. ... Ha ha. One of best and underrated is John Ruane at Penn-Trafford. Look at what he's done at that school. He belongs in upper echelon of coaches. Don Holl has done really good things at Gateway, even though they lost at Penn-Trafford. I like what Matt Humbert has done at Belle Vernon. Cherpak told me this years ago and it's so true. There are some really good coaches out there that people don't know. They just don't get enough talent every year.
moon85
11:27
AQ Shipley has had a heck of a career in the NFL.  Hoping you can settle an argument.  I know the Carmody was All State in Football and basketball last year.  Very rare for an offensive lineman to do but he has a different level of athleticism for a kid his size.   I know AQ was part of a State Championship Team in hoops, but was he an all state hooper?  I remember him being an absolute beast for that Brian Walsh led team.
Mike White
11:34
I love A.Q. Great guy. Talked to him couple times past two years. He has bounced back from injury last year and starting again at center for Cardinals. Snapping to Murray. Shipley was indeed a starter on that team but no way all state. That Moon team you're talking about was 2004. You've got some things wrong. Brian Walsh wasn't even on that team. I don't think he was in high school yet. His brother Dan might have been a sophomore. Duane Compo and Derek Gallagher were the two standouts on that team. Compo was leading scorer.
Wike Mhite
11:34
Mike - based on what you’ve seen, which team(s) run the most impressive offensive schemes?   It’s amazing what they’re able to do with these high school teams these days!
Mike White
11:35
You can't say who runs the "most impressive." Lot of teams do impressive things. What Joe Rossi and his offensive coordinators do at South Fayette continues to amaze me. They just put a new QB in and keep scoring, throwing for ton of yards. Many schools impressive with offensive schemes. That's just one.
Wike Mhite
11:35
Belle Vernon seemed to play TJ really tough for over half the game Friday night.  Was this just TJ playing poorly, or in a rematch could BV give them a run for their money?
Mike White
11:38
I watched the game on live stream. TJ was not impressive first half offensively. Shane Stump struggled. Overthrew so many passes. Tried so many home run balls. Belle Vernon hung in. I think they maybe need to use the Whitlock kid more. They need playmakers. Remember, TJ hasn't had probably its top lineman yet - Mac Duda. Has been hurt. If there was a rematch, I'd definitely take TJ. But for a half, TJ wasn't overly impressive. But that can happen.
Sean
11:38
What did you think about the Cathedral Prep win over McKeesport?
Mike White
11:39
No surprise. Look, I know Prep doesn't have a few Division I kids like recent years. Maybe no star. But they are still Erie Prep. You know they are going to be good. Just maybe not quite as strong as recent years. McKeesport is obviously good. Always are. But not great. I expected a Prep win.
North/South
11:40
Is there an under the radar player that is making a name for themselves in the early going?
Mike White
11:41
I've mentioned before Demetris McKnight of New Castle. Still think he is one to watch.
11:43
Some other things going on. Let's hope we go a week without some bad news about a gun involving Western Pa. football. First, the West Mifflin QB gets shot. Then a man gets shot and killed last Friday outside Jeannette game. Then a Gateway player gets arrested yesterday for an armed robbery in August. Yikes.
Ballerz
11:43
Have you been to a game @ USC yet? I've seen pictures of the press box/admin building. Was wondering what it was like inside?
Mike White
11:44
Have not been there, but saw it on TV. It is really big. But it is more than a press box, too.
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