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Mike White's high school football chat: 9.4.18
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Mike White
11:01
Hello, everybody. Store is now open. Fire away with any questions. And glad we can do this before it gets too hot this afternoon. Y'all might need an early dismissal.
John
11:03
Why is the WPIAL letting schools end games at Halftime? Its a bad look for all that are involved.
Mike White
11:05
If a game is stopped for weather and it's a conference game, the game is supposed to be finished. In fact, it has to be finished. Imani Christian-Springdale game Saturday was because of injuries, small rosters, heat. If both coaches agree, then you have to live with it. It's a sign of the state of small-school football these days. It's not like one team walked out.
Quad North Fan
11:05
NA vs. Central. Great early season matchup between Quad North powers.  Not sure how good either team's opponents have been. NA Norwin was a close game last week until specials teams killed Norwin and PCC has played two close games in a row. Are either of these teams elite this year and who do you like?
Mike White
11:06
I think North Allegheny could be very good. And Central is always good. No, this isn't a great Central Catholic team, but still good. I think at least one will be in WPIAL final. That's not exactly going out on a limb, with only nine teams in 6A.
SouthHillsFan
11:07
Who from the South Hills Conf  has the best shot at beating Penn Hills or Gateway in 5A?
Mike White
11:07
Upper St. Clair and Bethel. Not saying they would, but they'd have a shot.
X
11:07
I got to see NA and PR over the weekend. I haven't seen Central Catholic yet but sounds like they had a tough game Friday.  How would you rank these 3?
Mike White
11:07
Pine and NA 1 and 1A and Central Catholic right behind.
Stan Kachowski
11:07
Mike I'm curious as to your thoughts - I love the neighborhood stadiums.  Wolvarena, Martorelli, Alumni (even though Northgate can't get any darn lights on the field).  Those huge campus stadiums like PR and NA, while very nice, really don't do it for me.  Where are your favorite venues, irrespective of team, to take in a game?
Mike White
11:10
C'mon. New stadiums are nice. Nice to watch a game at Pine or somewhere like that. Yes, I really like some of the old stadiums. I still would vote Martorelli No. 1. Just because of atmosphere. Sits in a valley. Great surroundings. No track so bleachers are close. It helps atmosphere when North Hills has a good team. Another one I really like that is old is Belle Vernon's and not because of the gold turf now. Lot of tradition there. Ring a big bell in end zone after a win. Old time feel. Stands are close to field. And I'll be there Friday for TJ at Belle Vernon game.
SouthHillsFan
11:10
Best Stadium in the WPIAL?
Mike White
11:10
See above South Hills Fan.
SouthHillsFan
11:10
Not a fan of the 6 classes, lose too many rivalries.  Any chance in two years they go back to 4?
Mike White
11:12
Nope. PIAA is not going to go back on that, even if WPIAL doesn't like it.  That would mean PIAA was wrong. Don't look for it. Always a possibility the WPIAL could go with four classes and then come up with some kind of system to get reps for six in state playoffs. That would be complicated, but similar things have been done.
Bob
11:12
Do you believe the quality of the athletes participating in football is starting to slip because of the concerns over concussions.
Mike White
11:15
No. Western Pa. still has a number of good players. College talent. Some major college. Still a place many major colleges recruit. People don't want to hear this but it's a fact. Number of big-time college players (power 5 conferences) has definitely dropped in past decade. I'm not cutting down this area because there are good players. But not as many major college recruits. I think it was two or three years ago, WPIAL had 18 kids sign D-1 on signing day. Lowest ever. That's not fake news.
cwa4905
11:15
Hey Mike I graduated college from SRU and had to move south to find a Health and PE teaching job as they never come open in PA. Been down here for 9 years coaching football and teaching. I read all the time post gazette about head football coaches who are not teachers or many teaching in other school districts. Why is that the norm now? Down here that would never happen they find ways to get head football coaches in the building, along with as many assistants as possible. Is that a thing of the past in PA now? That's got to be hard to recruit the hallways and keep tabs on players. Thanks!
Mike White
11:18
I can't speak to other areas that much. But I think you find this everywhere. At least in Western Pa., teaching jobs are very valuable. Big competition for them and more and more schools don't want to just give them away for a coach. Not like it used to be. And here's the other thing. You hire someone as football coach and give him a teaching job. Coaches don't stick around as long as they did before. Then in four years, they quit coaching. And you still have to have him as teacher. Not as many teaching jobs available in Western Pa. than 40-50 years ago, either. Because of population.
Wpial fan
11:18
what happened to Seton? Bad loss  last week dropped down in section and struggling. This could be a long season. Thoughts?
Mike White
11:20
Yes, surprising the loss to Burgettstown. I don't think Seton was expected to be great this year. They lost a lot of good players from last year. But they're in a conference that is .... let's say not full of juggernauts. That's putting it mildly. So they might still be OK. But obviously not great. I wonder about roster size there, though. School is getting smaller???
Quiptown96
11:20
Imani @ Jeannette??
Mike White
11:21
I wish I knew injury report. Springdale coach told me Imani's fine receiver, R.J. Hart, got hurt in game last week. He is one of WPIAL's best receivers. His status will be key. I'd go Jeannette right now, but injuries will be a factor.
SouthHillsTheBestHills
11:22
What’re your 5A predictions after the PT-USC game? Is PT the real deal or is USC having a down year?
Mike White
11:24
Peters Township is good. Drop to 5A will really help. T.J. Plack done really good job there. I like the sophomore QB. A number of skill positions are juniors. I don't think Peters can win a WPIAL title but will be very competitive. As far as USC, they're a good team. Certainly not a great team. The Pantellis brothers are very good at receiver. I don't see a gamebreaker running the ball, though. They could use that. USC not having a down year. Just not a great team.
Quad North Fan
11:24
Since all the hubbub over non-boundary schools and transfer before the season began, has anything actually happened? I recall a meeting in State College with about 100 schools wanting the PIAA to do something, meeting with state politicians, etc. Then the season started and nothing.
Mike White
11:25
There is another meeting in Pittsburgh tomorrow with PIAA oversight committee (including politicians). Kind of a hearing/meeting. There will be a lot of talking. Public school supers and members of PIAA equity committee will talk. Honestly, there will be a lot of blithering and porbably nothing will come from it.
11:26
You have to remember, PIAA is NOT going to separate public/private unless state legislature makes them. That's very unlikely to happen. PIAA will listen. They have to listen. But it's not going to happen.
Panther MBA
11:27
Hi Mike. do most schools practice directly after school? or come back later in the afternoon or evening?
Mike White
11:28
After school. But with the heat the next few days, you might see some of them go later. For example, on Thursday nights, some teams might practice under the lights. But don't forget. You've got soccer games at many school tonight and tomorrow.
Quad North Fan
11:28
Was at Pine on Saturday with X. Thought their defense was dominating and OL was huge. Enough for a repeat with young kids manning the skill positions? Pine vs. NA/PCC in finals?
Mike White
11:29
Hempfield isn't exactly tremendous, but that was still impressive win. Two of the three will be in the finals - NA, Central and Pine. Again, that's not exactly going out on a limb.
Quad North Fan
11:30
Finals: Is the little birdie on your shoulder telling you anything more about the finals being televised?
Mike White
11:31
Birdie says there are more talks. After the story came out about AT&T not doing them and contract up, some calls were made. Stay tuned. If I had to guess, I bet something might be worked out - if AT&T can cut some of their losses.
Wpial fan
11:31
Seneca valley looks much better this year I think in top 4-5 6A? Can they  stop one of the big three? Close game last week but a few broken plays penalties helped them. Going in right direction.
Mike White
11:32
Yes Seneca will challenge the best teams. Can they be in top four or five in 6A? Without a doubt. But what's that saying? There are only nine teams in 6A.
Jiddy
11:32
Do you ever see perry come back to be a powerhouse
Mike White
11:35
Sure, they can be a power again -- in the City League. In Rod they trust. Nice win against Brashear. But the days of them challenging for a state title, making it to a state title, winning in 1989, almost beating Berwick another time .... don't look for that to happen again. Forget it.
Jd
11:35
Do you see anyone being able to take Aliquippa out this year.
Mike White
11:37
No, but I didn't see anyone beating them last year. Enter: Quaker Valley. They play this week. I think Aliquippa might roll, though. I will say this, though. Ethan Moore at QB might be another playmaker like Ricky Guss. And watch Ryan Jackovic at Quaker Valley. WR-DB. Really like him. Very good size. Athletic. I can't seem them beating Quips. But let me just remind you ..... 2-0.
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