Chicks Picks – Week 10 – 2015

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 5, 2015 | 2:18 PM

Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season.

As a veteran prognosticator, Chick’s Picks has received countless commendations over the years.  None of these honors, however, were quite as prestigious as the one earned this week.

Chick’s Picks received an anonymous phone call early Sunday morning.  The caller, a woman, told Chick’s Picks that her presence was requested by The Committee on Monday afternoon.  Confused, Chick’s Picks inquired further as to which committee the woman was referring.  The woman simply said, “Report to the Double Tree Hotel in Greentree at noon tomorrow.  Bring your crystal ball.  All of your questions will be answered there.”

Then, it dawned on her.  Chick’s Picks had been selected to be a part of the WPIAL Steering Committee and asked to attend the annual Playoff Pairings Meeting.  Chick’s Picks was flattered that her elite prognosticating abilities had been called upon for such an important task.

Monday morning was here, and Chick’s Picks got on the road early, anxious to make her Steering Committee debut.  She merged onto the Highway to Heinz with her crystal ball in tow.  A few miles down the road, however, Chick’s Picks realized that something was not quite right.  She had gotten caught up in her favorite tune on the radio, and completely missed her exit.

Panicked, Chick’s Picks tried contacting the anonymous woman to let her know that she had taken a wrong turn on the Highway to Heinz.  The call went straight to a voicemail box, which politely informed Chick’s Picks that she was too late – she had missed her opportunity.  The curse of the Highway to Heinz had struck once again.  A saddened Chick’s Picks headed home, thankful for the opportunity that once was, and hopeful that her crystal ball would not hold her poor navigation against her when it came to this week’s predictions.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 55-8 (87%) record, upping her season total to 481-101 (83%).  Here are this week’s big games.

CLASS AAAA
#9 Seneca Valley (5-4) at #6 McKeesport (8-1)

The Tigers kick off the postseason by hosting the Raiders Friday night.  McKeesport wrapped up the regular season with a 62-0 shutout of Plum last week, while Seneca Valley blanked Shaler, 27-0.  The Tigers feature one of the top running backs in the WPIAL in Khaleke Hudson, who has rushed for 996 yards and 22 touchdowns on the year.  McKeesport also boasts the top defense in Class AAAA, allowing less than seven points per game.  The Raiders are led by quarterback Jack Cook, who has thrown for 1,597 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Chick’s Picks thinks that Seneca Valley’s strong conference play will keep this one close, but not quite close enough for the Raiders.
McKeesport over Seneca Valley.

CLASS AAA
#9 West Mifflin (6-3) at #5 Franklin Regional (7-2)

West Mifflin hits the road to Murrysville to face Franklin Regional in opening round action Friday night.  The Panthers look to rebound this week, after an upset by Gateway last week cost them the Greater Allegheny Conference title.  The Titans ended their regular season on a losing note, as well, falling to Thomas Jefferson, 35-0.  Both of these squads feature dual-threat quarterbacks.  Santino Birty leads the Panthers with over 1,300 combined yards and 20 touchdowns.  Titans’ quarterback Karlyn Garner has surpassed 1,100 yards and found paydirt 14 times.  Chick’s Picks predicts that the sour taste of last week’s loss will carry the Panthers onto the quarterfinals.
Franklin Regional over West Mifflin.

CLASS AA
#9 Seton-LaSalle (7-2) at #8 Highlands (7-2)

Highlands plays host to Seton-LaSalle in this first round showdown Friday night.  The Golden Rams are coming off of a 42-0 rout of South Allegheny last week, while the Rebels topped Keystone Oaks, 44-36.  Highlands is led by quarterback Braydon Thimons, who has passed for 1,223 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season.  Seton-LaSalle features multiple offensive threats, including quarterback Nolan Abbiatici, Lionel Deanes, and Paris Ford.  The trio has helped the Rebels to average nearly 40 points per game.  When these two met last season in the WPIAL quarterfinals, Seton-LaSalle edged Highlands, 28-21.  Chick’s Picks predicts the Century Conference to outlast the Allegheny Conference in this one.
Seton-LaSalle over Highlands.

CLASS A
#10 Avonworth (7-2) at #7 Beth-Center (7-2)

Avonworth starts off the postseason on the road as they take on Beth-Center Friday night.  The Antelopes look to get back on track after being upset by Bishop Canevin, then narrowly escaping Northgate last week in a come-from-behind win, 50-49.  The Bulldogs, on the other hand, knocked off Bentworth, 52-40.  Avonworth is led by the WPIAL’s top passer in Zach Chandler, who has thrown for 2,174 yards and 21 touchdowns.  Beth-Center boasts a powerful backfield led by Tony Welsh, who has racked up nearly 1,400 yards and 28 touchdowns on the year.  The Bulldogs offense is averaging over 43 points per game.  Chick’s Picks predicts that the Bulldogs will take advantage of the Antelopes’ downward spiral.
Beth-Center over Avonworth.

CLASS AAAA FIRST ROUND:

Penn-Trafford over North Hills

North Allegheny over Norwin

Pine-Richland over Penn Hills

Central Catholic over Upper St. Clair

Mount Lebanon over Plum

Woodland Hills over Hempfield

Bethel Park over Kiski Area

CLASS AAA FIRST ROUND:

Ringgold over Ambridge

Thomas Jefferson over Armstrong

Belle Vernon over Chartiers Valley

Mars over New Castle

Hampton over Montour

West Allegheny over Hollidaysburg

Central Valley over Laurel Highlands

CLASS AA FIRST ROUND:

Freeport over McGuffey

South Fayette over Burgettstown

Steel Valley over New Brighton

Beaver over Mount Pleasant

Washington over Deer Lakes

Beaver Falls over Apollo-Ridge

Aliquippa over Keystone Oaks

CLASS A FIRST ROUND:

Neshannock over Bentworth

Shenango over Springdale

Greensburg Central Catholic over Bishop Canevin

Cardinal Weurl North Catholic over Union

Clairton over Carmichaels

Jeannette over Chartiers-Houston

Frazier over South Side

Class AA Non-Conference

West Shamokin over Purchase Line

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE FINALS:

Allderdice over Brashear

Tags: Avonworth, Bishop Canevin, Franklin Regional, Highlands, McKeesport, West Mifflin