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Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.30.25
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Mike White
10:56
It's the seventh week of the high school football season. A popular subject around the WPIAL lately has been mercy. I'm not seeking any from all of you. I'm just seeking comments and questions. So let's begin.
Tony Hnt
10:58
How are the lower level programs going to successfully, relatively speaking, rebuild if their top talent continues to transfer out every year?
Mike White
11:00
I'm not capping down on you, but I think sometimes we over-estimate how many kids transfer. Yes, some do - in all sports. And one or two could make a huge difference. But I don't know if it's as widespread as some might think.
Buffalo Bob
11:00
At Buffalo Bob headquarters this weekend, a surprise birthday party was held...Speaking of surprises..What is the biggest surprise in the wpial this year?
Mike White
11:08
Was it Buffalo Bob's birthday? How old is he. Is it in buffalo years or human years? As for surprises, I'd put Chartiers Valley near the top. Won 3, 3 and 2 games in past three years. First-year coach and they're 5-1. Do theyhave a legit chance to win the conference? They have only one conference title in school history. We expected Freeport to be pretty good but they are 6-0 and have outscored opponents, 253-34. Then there's Southmoreland. Standout QB Anthony Smith transfers. But here they are 6-0 for the first time since 1964, which was the first year of the school.
Ryan
11:08
What do you think about Kiski They beat Franklin Regional on Friday i think they they beat Latrobe on Friday GO KISKI
Mike White
11:09
Ahhhh, it didn't take long for the weekly Kiski Area question. Yes, they won last week. But maybe you should follow the Kiski Area band more. They win. Did you know they won the Central Ohio Regional competition this past Saturday? Wooooo hoooo. Seriously. (Thank you to Kenny The Horse for that info).
West A
11:09
Do the West Allegheny Indians run up the score on inferior opponents? 2-4 and both wins are by 60+!
Mike White
11:09
No clue.
Hsfan
11:10
Thought on McKeesport/Mars? I like Port. They were very competitive against good teams w/out Spell. With him back and healthy I think like them as the 4A favorite.
Mike White
11:11
I agree with you. With Spell, McKeesport I think has to be the favorite. But really, is there any 4A team that deserves No. 1 ranking right now? Anyone. Mars and McKeesport will be very interesting. Mars defense has been good all year. Offense seems to be coming along, too. And where did this Yocum kid come from? 597 yards the past two weeks. That's no Yoc.
football Fan
11:11
South Fayette vs Upper Sinclair this weekend - who you think wins?
Mike White
11:12
Give me USC. They will control Drew Welhorsky enough. USC showed something against Peters Twp. last week.
TV
11:13
Mike, if you had to guess - Which current area High School football player has the best odds to go pro?
Mike White
11:13
I'm not going to say anyone. Doing that puts a lot of undue pressure on a high school kid.
Tony Hnt
11:13
School we’re at loses a minimum of 2 per year.  With the primary focus being on recruiting….
Mike White
11:13
OK
Steelers Forever
11:13
Mike, I love betting on college and pro football. When do you think the government will finally loosen up and let us bet on high school games through our sports betting apps? Right now all the action is going through bookies and it seems like regulating it would protect the students and responsible gamblers alike. thoughts?
Mike White
11:13
Please.
Beaver County Fan
11:16
The quips have really seemed to come back to the pack this year.. Loss to New Castle and games against Montour and West A Still. Will Aliquippa miss the playoffs with only 8 teams in 4A? When is the last year Aliquippa did not make the WPIAL playoffs?
Mike White
11:21
Well Beaver County Fan ... First off, yes this isn't one of the stronger Aliquippa teams. Myself and others said that at the beginning of the year. I think they lack that really good running back they always seem to had, and what about their line? Now, QB Marques Council did not play against New Castle. His status will be key. If they lose this week to West Allegheny, they could be in trouble. But ... while only eight teams go to the playoffs, the WPIAL football committee selects the two final teams. So even if Aliquippa finishes third or fourth, I would venture to guess they still get in because the other two conferences are, shall we say, not exactly juggernauts. Last time they missed the playoffs was 1994. Finished 4-6 under Frank Morocco.
HomeDog
11:21
Will WPIAL make a conference of football teams who just want to play their level?  Baldwin, Butler, Connellsville, Fox Chap, etc...
Mike White
11:22
No. There has been a system that Fox Chapel AD Mike O'Brien has presented to the WPIAL twice and is now trying a third time. I say no way the WPIAL goes for it.
Sports guy
11:22
Is it fair to say some of not all high school sports are in trouble? With the recent forfeits and schools asking others take it easy how long until it trickles into other sports? And what can Wpial do to solve this
Mike White
11:25
No, it is not fair to say that. According to NFHS participation survey last year, participation was at an all-time high last year, up more than 200,000 previous year. You know, some small schools have had trouble with roster size for years. But I know a number of schools in football where their rosters bottomed out past 3-4 years, or went up. So, no I don't think high school sports are in trouble. However, I do think AAU and these "special" schools for sports are taking away some athletes.
The Fightin TJ McConnell
11:25
The mighty mighty Colts are unstoppable. Can they actually the Conference ? This is fun finally after all these years of misery
Mike White
11:26
Yes, they "can" win the conference. But I'll still go with TJ.
USA
11:26
Regarding legal betting on high school games -- did you mean "please" as in you wish they would allow it OR did you mean "please" as in give me a break?
Mike White
11:26
Give me a break.
pz
11:26
Re Fox Chapel Situation: How on earth is the head coach and athletic director involved in asking for altered quarters + running clock, and it gets to the point where Pine Richland accepts the terms, and STILL the players and families at FC aren't informed????
Mike White
11:27
I don't know. Not a real good situation there. I think players and parents had right to be upset. But at Baldwin, apparently some of the parents wanted something done for "safety" reasons. But after all that, I think they ended up playing regular quarters in first half anyway, didn't they? What a mess.
H2P
11:28
It seems to me that Baldwin's problems started when they let Vince Sortino go. The powers that be decided that the school did not need a full-time AD. Look where they are at now
Mike White
11:29
They let Vince go in 2019. I re-read stories during that time. Superintendent Randy Lutz and board felt he made too much money, compared to some other ADs. And Lutz said they thought they didn't need a full-time AD and that job could be done by administrators. So that's the superintendent and district you're dealing with. Need I say more?
The Fridge
11:29
Can an independent team make playoffs, or because they aren't in the WPIAL, they are not eligible?
Mike White
11:30
No, independents can't make the playoffs. You see, you actually have to be in WPIAL to make WPIAL playoffs.
Junior
11:30
You mentioned it above but I’m curious. What is the system the Fox Chapel AD keeps proposing to the Wpial?
Mike White
11:33
Would take a while to explain. But in a nutshell, teams would be placed in leagues based on past success and recent roster sizes. A lot of the teams that have struggled would play in a league against other teams that struggled, and with maybe similar roster sizes. Similar to high school hockey around here. I don't think it will ever fly with WPIAL.
3A Prognosticator
11:33
Do you think 3A is headed for a clash Avonworth and Imani in the finals?  Who would you pick in that game?
Mike White
11:33
Definitely Avonworth.
Wanny
11:34
Baldwin needs to bring in Dave Wannestadt to coach
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