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Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.30.21
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Mike White
11:00
Well, the WPIAL finals are now complete. Penn-Trafford - Moon game was very good. Certainly best game. Few others weren't too good. Now we've got state semifinals. And hey basketball is just around the corner. Lots to talk about. Let's go.
Guest
11:00
Give us a breakdown of belle vernon and aliquippa
Mike White
11:01
A breakdown? Well, pretty much it was those beefy guys up front that "broke down" Belle Vernon running game. No big plays from Devin Whitlock. Terrific performance from both O and DLines of Aliquippa. That's why they won. And that freshman ain't too shabboo, as Deuce would say.
Wpialguy
11:01
Glad Moon-Penn trafford saved a weekend of blowouts. Hard not to want 4 or 5 classes back when 6 classes just waters the finals down. Would’ve been cool to maybe have a CV-Quip final or a Serra - BC final. When the top teams are spread out it just doesn’t make for great games.
Mike White
11:02
The whole thing is watered down, but there have still been ood games over the years in finals. And no use to keep complaining about six classes, it's here to stay.
Mike "Red and" White
11:02
How's the scouting for your frosh games going? Are you breaking down film and scheming like a champ for your opener against Seneca Valley??
Mike White
11:05
Seneca Valley coach Kevin Trost was caught spying on North Hills 9th grade practice, trying to film through small window in door, to give to his 9th grade coach. Former North Hills baseball coach Steve Long spotted this, gave Trost a black eye - and coach Trost left. The story has been kept quiet, but I had to bring it out.
Wpialguy
11:05
Moon Penn trafford was a really good final. One of the better games I can remember. Hurt for those moon kids but that’s sports. Going to be tough sledding in 5a after seeing how Imhotep beat Cathedral prep by 40.
Mike White
11:08
Really felt horrible for Moon kicker. That's tough on a high school kicker. But it wasn't a chip shot for him. It was 33 yards from right hash. Penn-Trafford will have their hands full with Exeter. Exeter beat undefeated Governor Mifflin. GM has Nick Singleton, Penn State recruit and a top RB. For some reason, he carried only 8 times for 41 yards. Exeter is good. They have a Penn State recruit at receiver. I think it will be close. And yes, Imhotep is really good. I think WPIAL has legit chance to win three. I wouldn't make Penn-Trafford favorite in Class 5A. But P-T is still good.
Bill
11:08
What goes with these college coaches? Alexander from CV, Bladel from moon, why do they ignore production ? Some kids will show no production but have 10 offers, and then you have kids like them not being recruited. Frustrating when I talk to high school coaches and they don’t understand either.
Mike White
11:11
Totally agree. Some college coaches seem enamored with projection rather than production. That's understandable to an extent. But like other years, kids can look great in drills and playing in 7 on 7s, what I call playing in their underwear. But what about playing for "real." I won't mention names but there are a few kids right now with major-college offers who I know didn't do a whole lot this year. Bladel is tremendous, but I know colleges think he's undersized for major-college. As for Alexander, I don't think colleges think he's fast enough for big-time level.
11:12
I will say this. I don't think people around here realize how good you have to be as a running back to make it at Power 5 level. We don't produce many of them. I don't think Alexander is a Power 5 back, but I have trouble believing he can't play at FCS level. Maybe the MAC would be his ceiling.
Nate
11:12
I know its the high school chat, but thoughts on Brian Kelly to LSU?
Mike White
11:14
These coaches complain about transfer portal, but they move around all the time.Hey, it's their right. And it's also right of players, too, to move. Whole thing is a mess. I think college sports right now are a mess with transfer portal. I also think some high school kids are hurt in recruiting because of COVID and kids getting that extra year of college if they want. Alexander of Central Valley is a good example. I know basketball players who should be decent D-II recruits, but aren't even getting sniffs. It's because D-11 coaches figure they can get D-1 kids from transfer portal who are better than high school kid. You wonder if this will stop at some point?
Scam Likely
11:14
16,800 is pretty good attendance considering the weather on Friday, a number of private schools playing and no 6A game which typically brings the most fans.
Mike White
11:15
Totally agree. Weather was horrible Friday. Few teams brought pretty good crowds Saturday. They said they had 4,000 for Friday games. I'm not saying that's wrong, but it sure didn't look like it. But I certainly didn't count and I don't think WPIAL would fudge numbers. Happy for them.
Scam Likely
11:16
Which WPIAL teams have the best chance to win a state title? I’d say Bishop Canevin and Central Valley.
Mike White
11:17
I'd say Central Valley has the best. Won't be easy for Canevin. I think they win this week, but two teams in other semifinal are pretty good. Bishop Guilfoyle is always good. Canton is good. Not saying Bishop Canevin can't win it, but Central Valley has the best shot. I think Mt. Lebanon has a legitimate shot also.
Coach O
11:17
If Quips make it to state final and if PIAA invokes competitive formula and moves them up to 5A, I think Quips will be in a real quandary. Their superintendent’s concerns about depth and health considerations I think are valid but I also don’t think going independent is viable for them. Not geographically close to non WPIAL schools like Butler in the north or AG near WV and Maryland borders are. And other than week 0 WPIAL schools have little flexibility to schedule them. Plus they’re too good for teams to want to play them! What are your thoughts on the situation and how it would likely play out?
Mike White
11:21
There's so much to explain with Aliquippa thing and so much to get into. Bottom line is a couple things. First, I don't think Aliquippa really understood this rule when it went into effect few years ago. Or they didn't understand what could happen. Secondly, some common sense should be used by PIAA here and some exceptions put in rules. I perfectly understand the rules, but there should be some exceptions put into the rules and put in very quickly. I don't think Aliquippa should be made to play 5A. Something needs to be done. And I understand the thing about depth. But I don't go with Aliquippa idea about players getting hurt. Depth is one thing. But have you seen the size of Aliquippa players? They're the ones who can put a hurt on people.
SouthHillsguy
11:21
Little disappointed I didn't go to any of the games but too cold for this 59 year old but Mike you did a great job announcing the games. I wish you guys would do more of that. Great insight.. Was hearing your podcast on MVP of the WPIAL. If you lose a game you shouldn't be the frontrunner. You mentioned some good names Cade kid, Belle Vernon kid, Heidenreich but no mention of Tecza. That kid has done it in the big games not vs the tomato cans( and he is top leaders in rush, total, and td's (if those stats are right on your website) and is also doing it on defense(I think his better position after watching that Erie game). Also I have to point out during the Belle Vernon game that Cole kid with a busted up leg. Unreal. That kid is amazing. I hear he's a good wrestler too! Looking forward to seeing the WPIAL semi's. Will they be on TV?
Mike White
11:23
Why thank you SouthHillsguy on the announcing compliment. Always love it when you have to fill a whole second half during a total blowout. Use any and every story you have in your mind. As for Tecza, you're talking about Mt. Lebanon's Alex Tecza. Yes, he is being considered. He's been terrific. Really like him. But the Heidenreich kid is really good. That kid is going to Navy, but I have a hard time believing he couldn't play somewhere at Pitt. He's that good.
Where’s Batko?
11:23
What Aliquippa did this year was obviously amazing but keep in mind, if they play 3A, there’s a good chance they don’t win the title as they already lost to CV this year.
Mike White
11:23
Yep.
I Pay Attention
11:24
You talk about the WPIAL being down in talent with few Power 5 offers. But have you thought about (1) the true impact of the COVID rule allowing teams to keep players for extra scholarship years. For instance, Pitt is keeping 15+ seniors for a 6th year AGAIN - and (2) the impact of the transfer portal is having - reducing the need to bring in freshman. We’re starting to hear the 2022 recruiting class sizes at many schools might as much as 75% smaller than normal as teams resource their players internally or from other collegiate programs. You might argue it’s talent - or you might argue this graduating class is the victim of a massive & dramatic shift in recruiting processes that is changing the face of football (and every collegiate sport for that matter). Nobody is reporting on the impact these infrastructure changes by the NCAA are having on the kids graduating in 2022.
Mike White
11:27
There's no doubt that COVID has greatly impacted recruiting. But c'mon, man. Let's look at the facts. Class of 2020 had 6 Power 5 players from the WPIAL and 15 FBS recruits. Lowest ever. And that was before COVID. And 2019 had 8 Power 5s and 20 FBS. So it's been going down for the past decade or so. Don't tell me it's COVID. THe numbers are the facts - before COVID.
LeboKid
11:27
Mike, if there are three areas of concern for Mt. Lebanon, it would be 1) slow starts; 2) kickoff coverage; 3) defending quick slant passes. Thoughts? And what do you know about State College? They've lost a lot of football games (5) for a state semifinalist.
Mike White
11:29
Yes, Mt. Lebanon has started slow in recent games. Kickoff coverage? I only saw them three times. I can't make a judgment on that or defending slant passes. As for State College, they have come on lately. They are a solid team, not a great team. They're not fancy, but very solid. They like to play power football. Not much of a passing game. They'll want to control the ball and go on long drives. I think Mt. Lebanon wins by two touchdowns or more.
Where’s Batko?
11:29
Always enjoy the Fab 22. Through the years, who would you say was the biggest oversight that didn’t make it the list?  Or was there someone not on the list who may have bloomed late and did big things in college or the pros?
Mike White
11:32
Oh geez, I don't know. Every year people think there are oversights. We get accused of everything from being against small school teams to being racist. Seriously. I will say this. People complain that most of the players are from bigger classifications 4A, 5A and 6A. Well guess what? Because that's where most of the better players are. But we pick small class players also. As for biggest oversight, I don't know. Jason Taylor from Woodland Hills is in the Hall of Fame, but wasn't on Fab 22. But guess what? He didn't deserve it. Wasn't all that good in high school. Did have size and athletic ability, but was not Fab 22 worthy as a senior.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:32
Did you hear about the Imhotep football captains refusing to shake hands before the game with Cathedral Prep at the coin toss?  I know they can do whatever they want in regards to hauling talent in, but does the PIAA ever outwardly do any reprimanding for these acts?  In college games, this has been a 15 yard penalty to start the game.
Mike White
11:33
I have not heard and I don't really think PIAA will get into forcing teams to shake hands.
Beaver County
11:33
What’s the record for number of dad jokes that you and Brad Everette have told in a single podcast?
Mike White
11:34
I just checked analytics and it says record is 77, with 11 coming in three-minute span. But don't be a hater of good humor. Jealousy will get you nowhere in life. Haven't you learned that?
WPIAL Pigskin
11:35
Aliquippa's accomplishments are great and they did a heck of a job to win 4A this year.  I'm actually a little sick of the "poor little Aliquippa" narrative though.  They have kids that live all over Beaver County (and beyond) going there using aunts and uncles addresses.  Hence, that is why they have so many transfers.  Do you think the Quips will really play an independent schedule as they have threatened if they are forced to move up to 5A?
Mike White
11:35
All I'll say is no way they leave WPIAL. Besides, they would want to eventually come back. And guess what? They'll probably have to come back at the classification they played last.
Travo
11:35
Who do you think deserves coach of the year
Mike White
11:37
Gotta let it play out. Just like player of the year. You can make a point for all 6 coaches who won championships. And then guys like Moon's Ryan Linn. If you made me pick now, I'd probably pick Mike Warfield. But we don't pick these things now because we let the whole year play out.
Johnny
11:37
Shout out to all the WPIAL officials who worked their rear ends off this year in this post Covid season, especially those who worked playoffs and championships.
Mike White
11:38
Totally agree. Kudos to the officials. Here's to hoping we can get more. They are needed.
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