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Mike White's high school football chat: 10.23.18
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Mike White
11:01
Tuesday before the final weekend of the regular season ... hello everybody. Anyone wanna talk? Playoffs to talk about. I did bigger story last week on talent in Western Pa. being down. Let's get to it.
ptfan
11:01
With it being week 9 (or 10) tis the season for coaching changes....any rumblings you've heard about potential openings?
Mike White
11:02
No I haven't.
OBSERVER
11:02
What do you think of Albert Gallatin pulling out of the WPIAL in football? I hear others are to follow, including Uniontown.
Mike White
11:04
I have no idea if others are thinking about it, too. Hey, maybe they could have their own Fayette County league of teams struggling. Throw in Brownsville. As for Al Gall, I don't blame them. I know WPIAL isn't real happy because it will come in the middle of a two year cycle. Every team in that conference will now have an open week next year. WIll they be filled. But Al Gall has struggled for so long. Worst program in WPIAL last 20 years and they've won something like 53 games since mid 80s. They say they want to try and save program. I can't say I blame them.
Football Guru
11:04
In 3A, which conference do you think is the harder one to play in?
Mike White
11:06
Well there's only two so there's not a big choice. I'd probably give edge to Quad County West.
Jimmy
11:06
I saw your post about not many top level talent And I absolutely agree with you but my question is, do you see in around 5 years that talent returning but the teams will be smaller if you catch my vibe?
Mike White
11:07
Things do run in cycles, so maybe. But I will tell you this. The junior class of talent in WPIAL is no better and might be worse than this year. And there aren't exactly a number of sophomores that people are pointing at as big-time players. So if that's any indication, then I'd say we're not going to see an upward trend for at least a few years. I'm sorry I'm not real up on my 7th and 8th graders.
HeyMike
11:07
Can we get a quick City Championship Game preview/prediction?
Mike White
11:08
Should be close. Actually nice to see Westinghouse back in title game. Maybe re-living some glory days. I'm going to with Allderdice.
Class A
11:08
Who u think wins the Clairton vs Jeannette game and where do u think the loser will be seeded in the playoffs
Mike White
11:11
1 vs. 2 game. I'll give Jeannette the edge. Their defense has come up big in big games this year vs. Imani and OLSH. That might be the difference. As for where the loser will be seeded, that's a really good question. If Jeannette loses, I say Jeannette will be No. 2. The loser will be either 2 or 3. But does that really matter? Seriously. 2 and 3 will be on the same side of the bracket anyway and would be set up to meet in semifinals. I don't see loser dropping to No. 4.
David
11:11
NA v. Pine Richland  Prediction?
Mike White
11:13
The one most people have been waiting for. I'd give the edge to Pine. I think Pine's defense might be the difference. I think Pine's defense is pretty good. NA's defense has come on. Another thing to watch is will that big, experienced Pine offensive line be the difference. But in the end, I just want to know who has that Pine-RIchland flag? Did Phil take it Notre Dame? Will it make an appearance again and cost somebody a chance to see the field hockey championships.
WPIAL 2A
11:13
If you had to guess what would your top 4 seeds be in order for the 2A playoffs?? Would they jump a 2nd place finisher (steel valley, Washington) over a Burgettstown or Mohawk?
Mike White
11:15
The question is what do you do with Steel Valley. They are going to finish second in the conference no matter what. Steel Valley is done with conference games. I think Steel Valley gets a top three seed. Even if Washington finishes second, I don't think they are going in the top three. Washington's offense has been impressive, but boy they give up a lot of points. And Washington isn't being seeded ahead of Charleroi. So I
11:17
To finish, I would go Shady Side No. 1 if they win, Steel Valley 2, Burgettstown 3, Charleroi 4. Then what do you do with Mohawk?
OBSERVER
11:17
I don’t blame AG, either. Is it time the WPIAL allows schools to schedule their own non-conference games?
Mike White
11:19
Well, they used to let teams schedule non conference games. Then the schools came to WPIAL and asked them to schedule non conference. Some were having trouble getting games, especially the good teams. Because no one wanted to play them. So don't blame the WPIAL. At one time, schools wanted it one way. Then they wanted it another way. Now they might want a change again? Who knows. But don't blame WPIAL for this one.
Class A
11:19
In class A first round playoffs will the teams play each other if they played each other in the season
Mike White
11:19
That is a possibility. And with eight teams, that might happen. WPIAL said a few years ago that could happen.
Tim Oschmalley
11:19
The year is 2018. All games finish on Saturday. Do we dare upset the delicate genius of the WPIAL playoff committee and meet Saturday night/Sunday and get the pairings out before the week starts? Teams operate on a short week/many teacher have to take off work to get a game plan together for their kids. Why is this still the case?
Mike White
11:20
This has been said by people before. Yes, it could be done. It might makes things a little easier. But all teams are in the same boat. No one has an advantage over the other.
WestmorelandWill
11:21
It's Canon-Mac getting the last spot in 6A right?  NO WAY Butler beats CM!!!
Mike White
11:22
Agree. No way Butler wins. Only way Canon-Mac doesn't get 6 is if they lose and Norwin beats Seneca. I don't think either is happening.
John
11:22
Mike has WPIAL ever had a training session on how to run a successful program? Maybe get 3 top coaches to help some of these struggling districts.
Mike White
11:23
What? You want the WPIAL to bring in a team and tell them how to run a program. That would go over well.
HeyMike
11:23
Are any schools thinking about giving up they football programs or merging schools?
Mike White
11:24
No idea. I don't think any are thinking of giving up their program. But let's get the PIAA started on that 8-man league like I've mentioned. I bet you would have some schools join if you announce it in January and to start in 2020.
WashCo
11:24
2 questions - Wash High vs. McGuffey - prediction? And, if Peters wins conf...would they have chance vs. Penn Hills, Gateway or the Port?
Mike White
11:26
The over/under for Wash High vs. McGuffey is 100, according to colleague Brad Everett. I might take the over. First one to 70 in this one wins. I'll go Wash High. ... As for Peters Township, I like their team. Saw them Friday. Like how physical they played defensively and the QB for a sophomore is very good. Slender, but like his arm. T.J. Plack has done a terrific job with that program and they could be good for a few years. Has to replace lineman next year. The Corban Hondru kid is one of the best LBers around and he's onlyu a sophomore.
Football Specialist
11:26
What is your prediction for the 3A title game?
Mike White
11:27
I'm going to go with a sleeper ... go out on a limb ... and say that Aliquppa will win it.
Guest
11:27
Is there any reason why the WPIAL schedules non-conference games so late in the season?  Ex: NA vs. West Allegheny last week (week 9). Seeing that the games result doesn't affect standings, why play the game so late in season and risk injury with playoffs only 1 week away.  If game is scheduled early, and someone is injured, may have time to heal before playoff run.
Mike White
11:30
Well Guest, it's pretty simple. You look at conference breakdowns. There are nine teams in 6A. That means there are eight conference games. One team will not have a conference game every week. So you have one team every week with a non conference game. A few other conferences have an odd number of teams. Someone has to be off. That's why there are non conference games late in the season.
WashCo
11:30
1: Prediction: wash high vs McGuffey?
Mike White
11:30
Already gave that. I'll go Wash High but take the over in this game. First team to 70 wins.
OBSERVER
11:31
I in no way blamed the WPIAL for scheduling non-conference games. I am aware schools asked them to schedule those games. Just asking your opinion. Some of these non-conference match ups are senseless. I guess we’ll see.
Mike White
11:34
Well observer, the Eastern conference had to play somebody in non conference games. I know Tri-County South will get three teams in and that might not seem right. But Eastern will get three also. If Imani wins against Char-Houston, Imani will get a wild card. Laurel is most likely the team out. I know it is hard to swallow if you're Laurel, when you see three Tri-County South teams going. But those teams will probably all tie for first in the conference. Hard to tell a team that ties for first that you can't go to the playoffs.
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