Mike White’s high school sports chat: 09.29.26
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Mike White
11:01
Can you believe it? Half of the regular season in high school football is over. So who do you think should be player of the half year? Coach of the half year? Biggest surprise? I'll give my thoughts later, but I'm just throwing that out. But let's get started. Chat now open.
Intrigue
11:03
1, 3, 4 and 5A are all extremely intriguing and should have competitive playoffs.
Mike White
11:06
I would agree with you. 6A is a Central Catholic runaway. 2A looks like a two team race with Seton and Bishop Canevin, but how about McGuffey giving Canevin a hard time last week, 21-14. Maybe there is another team that can challenge in 2A, but Seton looks so good. I still think Pine is the class of 5A, but this Penn-Trafford team is good.  Don't underestimate them. Actually, 5A might be better than I thought it was beginning of the year. But you're right, the 4A, 3A, 1A classes look like very competitive.
11:07
Getting back to competitiveness. In Class 4A, still wonder about McKeesport. Kemon Spell didn't play again last week. Maybe they're savie him for conference play. Can McKeesport win the WPIAL? Yes, but only with a healthy Kemon Spell and he will have to run for at least 250 yards in every playoff game if McKeesport is going to win. Unless that passing game makes a lot of improvement.
2nd Site
11:07
Hearing anything on where the 4 and 6A WPIAL title games will be? Thought they would have announced that by now.
Mike White
11:10
Some people started putting X last week that WPIAL announced the 4A and 6A games will be at Pine-Richland. Guess what? The WPIAL never made such an announcement. People wanting to be the first with something and they put out something that's not true. Guess that's the way it is nowadays with some social media folks. WPIAL even told me they have made no such announcement. Now, I think the games could indeed be at Pine-Richland, but even WPIAL said it's still not finalized. Just a reminder, the other four games will be at Acrisure.
Ryan
11:10
who wins Fridays game Kiski or McKeesport i think the cavaliers have a chance to win GO KISKI
Mike White
11:11
Sorry Ryan, if Kemon Spell plays, it will be a long game for Kiski. Even if Spell doesn't play, McKeesport wins.
X
11:11
Oooo that Spell.   Has Kemon shut it down for the year?  Perhaps he's had the mother of all cramps.  If he has, I can't say that I blame him.  He has a lot of money on the line and the Tigers are going NOWHERE.    It's a different world these days....
Mike White
11:13
I don't know what the situation is at McKeesport. I seriously doubt whether Kemon has shut it down. I know it's a different world today, but guess what. Kids still have a desire to compete and win. I only know Kemon a little. But he has said he's motivated to win WPIAL this year. I believe him. Maybe he's just a little banged up and McKeesport saving him for games that count. Let's not assume things.
4 and 6A
11:13
Where do YOU think the 4A games should be? I vote Mount Lebanon.  Why should we reward Pine with the rampant recruiting they do??
Mike White
11:16
I would vote for North Allegheny, but that's just me. Pine is OK, too. Mt. Lebanon? No way. I know you don't do things just for media, but media is a part of the championships. And Mt. Lebanon press box is a disgrace for a school that size. Never understood how that school board and administration never did anything to improve that press box. Good Lord, it's suited for an old grade school game between St. Bernard and St. Louis de Marillac.
11:20
Back to Mt. Lebanon. Why should I expect them to have a better press box. They are naming the field later this month Art Walker Field at Mt. Lebanon Stadium. Great move. Should've been done a while ago. Art's a legend. But you won't believe this: I was told by someone in the know there that the school district is charging 100 thousand dollars to the committee who led the charge for the naming of field. That is downright crazy. You honor one of your own but charge 100 thousand to name the field after him. Who does this? This isn't a company buying naming rights. Is it me, or is that screwed up? The counter argument appraently is that the money is going to athletics.
Conference Games
11:22
Finally! Competitive balance is obviously great...But the majority of games this week mean Something!!
Mike White
11:23
Yes, indeed. All conferences in the WPIAL will now have conference games this week. It certainly does make things a little more interesting.
Mr Ed
11:24
Boy that was a weird, ugly game in terms of style points at least between Clairton-Wash High. Maybe both defenses are really good because offenses looked inept. 1A looks down this year in terms of having one or two clear cut best like usual. I think a healthy Brandon Murphy might be separator between Clairton and other contenders.
Mike White
11:29
Yes, I watched that game. Offense was certainly lacking. But I'll be honest with you. Both teams do have really good defenses I think. Plus, a lot of times when I see Class 1A championships or games between top teams, a lot of points aren't scored, at least by one team. Clairton beat Laurel, 8-6, in last year's final. In many championships, one team might score a lot of points, but consider: Since 2005, the losing team in the Class 1A final has scored in single digits 12 times.
11:35
OK, now for my player of the half year. I still think Spell is the best player, but he has missed too much time. I seriously think Brandon Bennett deserves consideration. I might have to go with Khalil Taylor of Pine-Richland. Plays offense and defense and is so dangerous on kick returns. Has 22 tackles from DB position. Has 21 catches for 400 yards. 64 yards rushing on 7 carries. 51 yards on kickoff returns. Has scored nine touchdowns that average 47.4 yards.
X
11:35
We had some dialogue last year about Pace Prosser and Rowan Carmichael on this chat.  Prosser if off to Sienna. He's already been a national champ in D2 and an All American. Not  much more to prove.  I hope it works out.  I wonder if Carmichael has a big year if he will get his shot at D1 as well.  He  has a beautiful stroke, but the two are quite a bit different stature wise.  Prosser is ridiculously strong and a lot heavier than Carmichael.  For Carmichael, do you think it comes down to who he's able to guard?    And I see the see Ama Sow is now at IUP.  How do you think he will do at that level?
Mike White
11:37
You're talking about Pace Prosser from Berlin Brothersvalley and Rowan Carmichael from Avonworth. Yes, Pace played two years at Gannon and is now at Siena. Rowan is in his second year at Edinboro. Had excellent freshman year. If he has another good year, I think you'll see him leave. Yes, size is a concern. But he has proven something with what he did last year.
X
11:37
Mt Lebo school board was right to get some money for naming rights. They have value and the board has a responsibility to the taxpayers.  At the end of the day, they found a win/win with Art Walker Sr being honored and the district getting some money.
Mike White
11:40
Then I must be crazy. You decide to honor one OF YOUR OWN. A legendary coach at YOUR SCHOOL. A teacher and AD also. And you want money for honoring one of your own. Must be me that things seem upside down. If you were naming the stadium UPMC Stadium, or PNC Stadium, by all means sell the rights. BUT THIS IS ONE OF YOUR OWN!!!!! Gateway is named Pete Antimarino Stadium. You think they charged 100 grand? When Woodland Hills named George Novak Field at the Wolvarena, you think they charged 100 grand? Go sell the naming rights. Call it Art Walker Field at UPMC Stadium and get 100 grand from UPMC. Wonder what others think.
The Bird
11:40
Watched TV game last Friday.  Nice to see a QB give the middle finger after scoring a TD.  I guess that's where we are now.  What a joke.
Mike White
11:41
Who did that?
X
11:41
I just don't see it with Pine Richland being a championship team. I think they are significantly weaker up front than they were last year and there is no Timmons to go along with Taylor. Taylor is AMAZING, tho.  But very few passes come from the precision passing game.  When Pine gets down, Oobie starts playing sandlot and I don't think that is gonna cut it ....it didn't the past 2 years with a more talented team.  I'd like to see Woodland Hills and Norwin against PR.  It wouldn''t surprise me if either would beat them.   And Central o line dominated PR without 2 of the 3 senior D1 lineman playing.
Mike White
11:45
First off, I agree with you. Pine line lot smaller than they used to be and they have no running game, unless Oobi makes a play. Don't put anything into a game against Central. By the way, Central was missing two OLinemen. Not defense. Don't get me wrong. Pine is no sure thing. Penn-Trafford is very good. John Ruane is one of the best coaches in the WPIAL. I'm telling you Woodland Hills is good. They're my sleeper in 5A. I don't know if North Hills has enough to win 5A, but there's a chance they could be 8-0 heading into  Pine game. Wouldn't that be something. Pine has some holes. But I still think they are the team to beat -- at least right now. My opinion could change, though.
TW
11:45
Back to LEBO….after 10 years, the name can change with another fundraising effort…..
Mike White
11:46
Great. Let's name it after John Frank (won Super Bowls with Joe Montana) and charge Frank one million then. Seems right.
Just Wondering
11:46
Mike, I know the PG has new owners, but in the past they always posted the rosters of all the (or most of the teams) in WPIAL.  This year there are none posted even though there is a link for the them.  Even though the season is half over, will we see them this year.  This was always a nice feature. Just wondering.
Mike White
11:47
We decided to not do rosters any more. There were cuts made in some areas and bosses felt to cut the rosters. One of the main reasons is because they are mostly available on the WPIAL web site.
X
11:47
About a dozen years or so ago, Rosebud Mining offered $1M for the naming rights at Karns City stadium and the school board turned it down.   My point is that the naming rights are valuable.  At a minimum, it should go out for a special vote with the taxpayers. I love high school football and by all accounts I've heard, Art Walker Sr was a great guy, but lots of people in the community have no interest in football.   Lebo had the highest property taxes in Allegheny County the last time I checked.
Mike White
11:52
We're not even talking the same thing here. By all means, make money off the naming rights. Make money after changing Mt. Lebanon Stadium to Company Name Stadium. But this is one of your own, for God's sake. Go around to all high school stadiums who named their stadium after one of their own. You think they charged them 100 grand? Go charge 100 grand to a company for the rights. This is naming of the field. And again. YOU'RE HONORING ONE OF YOUR OWN!!!!! That's like all these schools that have Hall of Fame for sports. I think they should start saying, hey we'll put you in our Hall of Fame if you find someone to pay us $10,000. C'mon, man.
Pine QB
11:52
I believe it was the Pine QB who flipped the bird to NA students and have heard a suspension may be incoming
Mike White
11:52
I know nothing about a suspension but I did hear about the incident.
Fellow Asylee
11:52
I'm joining you in the asylum, Mike. Absurd to charge a fee to folks wanting to honor a legend. Sell to a corporation? Absolutely get some money, as you said. Even asking a famous (and successful) alumnus if they're interested in donating to get the field named after them would be okay with me. I'm thinking something like Aaron Donald Stadium, Dan Marino Field, etc. But someone who dedicated most of their adult life to the school district? I hope they made sure his pension is fully funded after taking that $100K in.
Mike White
11:55
Thank you, Fellow Asylee. Then I'm not crazy. But hold on, so if Penn Hills wants to name its field Aaron Donald Field, you'd want Penn Hills to ask for 100 or 200 grand? That's insane. Then don't name it after one of your own. Because if I was the player, I'd say go ...
DS
11:56
Chris Black From CC for player of the year he is truly incredible for his size.
Mike White
11:57
He'd be in the running. Great year offensively. But doesn't do as much on defense.
Mr Ed
11:57
Is it any wonder if we do see high school kids acting out or making gestures anymore after watching college games? This weekend was disgusting between Texas, USC, South Carolina players actions. I blame the coaches. Especially someone like Sarkisian. He made it pretty clear in so many words that the kid is really good so I’m not going to say too much to him about it. Other thing is, don’t put out a statement on behalf of the player. Make him have a press conference and explain and apologize for his actions in person. Then at least we can tell if he’s sincere or not. Sorry for the rant.
Mike White
11:57
Agree wholeheartedly Mr. Ed. Most of the stuff trickles down from the colleges and pros.
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