Chicks Picks – Week Thirteen

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 23, 2017 | 1:57 PM

Welcome to Week 13 of the high school football season. As is the routine each day after work, Chick’s Picks pulled in her driveway and retrieved her mail from the mail box.  Much to her surprise, Chick’s Picks had received a letter from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s office.  Chick’s Picks knew that Mayor Peduto was a huge fan over her prognosticating, but could not imagine the purpose of this letter.

Chick’s Picks dashed inside, eager to read the contents.  Mayor Peduto had requested the honor of Chick’s Picks’ presence as the Grand Marshal at this Saturday’s Holiday Parade.  Needless to say, she was flattered by this request.  Her prognosticating had brought her a multitude of stardom, but nothing of this magnitude.

Despite being thrilled about this opportunity, Chick’s Picks knew that she could not fulfill Mayor Peduto’s wish.  This Saturday is, of course, Championship Saturday.  It would be the last opportunity this season for Chick’s Picks to put her crystal ball on display for all of the WPIAL.  Surely, Mayor Peduto would understand.  Maybe he will keep Chick’s Picks in mind for the next Super Bowl or Stanley Cup parade.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 5-3 (63%) record, bringing her season total to 505-124 (80%).  Here are this week’s championship games:

CLASS 2-A CHAMPIONSHIP:
#1 Steel Valley (11-0) vs. #2 Washington (12-0)

The Ironmen battle the Little Prexies for the WPIAL Class 2A championship Saturday evening at Robert Morris University.  In last week’s semifinals, Steel Valley edged Riverside, 13-10, while Washington held off Cardinal Weurl North Catholic, 19-14.  Ironmen running back Kameron Williams has racked up more than 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year.  Little Prexies’ quarterback Zack Swartz has thrown for 1,765 yards and 25 touchdowns.  Running back Nick Welsh is approaching the 2,000-yard mark, and has found paydirt 27 times this season.  Washington has claimed WPIAL gold six times, with the most recent coming in 2001.  Steel Valley is looking to defend last year’s title, and bring home the school’s fifth in WPIAL history.  The Ironmen were a perfect (15-0) last season, winning both WPIAL and PIAA championships.  Steel Valley has not lost a game since the WPIAL semifinals on November 20, 2015.  The Little Prexies’ defense is allowing less than nine points per game.  Chick’s Picks predicts that defense wins this championship.
Washington over Steel Valley.

CLASS 1-A CHAMPIONSHIP:
#4 Imani Christian (11-2) vs. #3 Jeannette (12-1)

Eastern Conference rivals Imani Christian and Jeannette meet again – this time with WPIAL gold on the line.  Last week, the Saints upset top-ranked California, 30-24, while the Jayhawks took down Clairton, 18-7.  When these two met earlier this season, Jeannette rolled over Imani Christian, 54-36.  The Saints’ only other loss came at the hands of California, 41-26.  Quarterback Tawan Wesley leads the Saints with 2,581 passing yards and 33 touchdowns.  Wesley’s favorite target has been Sam Fairly, who has been on the receiving end of 1,282 yards and 22 touchdowns.  Imani Christian also boasts a strong running game with Asante Watkins, who has rushed for 1,117 yards and 21 touchdowns.  Jeannette’s dual-threat quarterback Robert Kennedy has thrown for 1,264 yards and 23 touchdowns, and rushed for 978 yards and 22 touchdowns.  In the postseason, however, the Jayhawks have gotten big contributions from backup quarterback Seth Howard, who passed for over 100 yards against Clairton in last week’s semifinals.  Jeannette owns seven WPIAL championships, claiming the most recent in 2007.  Imani Christian is seeking its first title.  Chick’s Picks knows the Saints have already avenged one of their losses this season, but she isn’t convinced that the second will come as easy.
Jeannette over Imani Christian.

Tags: Imani Christian, Jeannette, Washington