Chicks Picks for Week Two

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2016 | 11:39 PM

Welcome to Week 2 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks has been fortunate enough to make a lot of friends throughout her prognosticating career – some that are unforgettable, and others that she cares to forget. One of Chick’s Picks’ favorites happens to be a very dear Twitter pal, who happens to be the better half of a local coach. This Twitter pal in particular has stood by Chick’s Picks through good times and bad – weeks when the crystal ball was on fire, as well as weeks when early retirement was considered. Earlier this season, during Week Zero, Chick’s Picks’ pal even came through with her own prediction when the crystal ball was in the shop for maintenance.

There comes a time in every friendship, though, when loyalties are tested. A time when difficult decisions must be made. A time when Chick’s Picks must make a prediction not in favor of her loyal pal. The veteran prognosticator can only hope that her friendship outlasts…AND that she makes another winning pick.

Chick’s Picks did not perform like a veteran prognosticator last week, however, finishing with a 48-15 (76%) record. Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6-A
#3 North Allegheny (1-1) at #1 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (1-1)

The Tigers and the Vikings will renew their rivalry in this Northern Seven Conference matchup Friday night. Last week, North Allegheny edged Bethel Park, 21-14, and Central Catholic routed Shaler, 48-7. Both the Tigers and the Viking opened their seasons with losses to out-of-state powerhouses. North Allegheny fell to Olentangy Liberty (OH), 30-29, while Central Catholic was stopped by St. John’s (DC), 35-14. When these two met in conference play last season, the Tigers handed the Vikings what would end up their only loss of the season, 24-17. Chick’s Picks does not predict a repeat performance this time around.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic over North Allegheny.

CLASS 5-A
#6 Armstrong (2-0) at #4 McKeesport (1-0)

The Tigers play host to the Riverhawks in a Big East Conference showdown Friday night. McKeesport is coming off of a 14-7 win over Franklin Regional last week, while Armstrong blanked Moon, 35-0. The Tigers’ backfield is led by Jayvaun Shears, who rushed for 110 yards in the win over the Panthers. The Riverhawks boast a high-powered offense piloted by QB Michael Lohte, who threw for 128 yards against Moon. RB Zane Dudek, who ranks among the best in the WPIAL, turned in 270 yards in last week’s win. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Riverhawks will pull an upset in this low-scoring grudge match.
Armstrong over McKeesport.

CLASS 4-A
#4 Highlands (1-0) at #8 New Castle (1-1)

Northwest Nine Conference action heats up Friday night when Highlands takes on New Castle. Last week, the Golden Rams rolled over Ambridge, 56-6, while the Red Hurricane edged Montour, 26-13. New Castle has been outscored 54-57 in its first two games this season. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Red Hurricane will turn that statistic around this week.
New Castle over Highlands.

CLASS 3-A
#10 South Park (1-0) at #4 Mount Pleasant (2-0)

Mount Pleasant hosts South Park in an Interstate Conference matchup Friday night. The Vikings rolled over Waynesburg last week, 42-14, while the Eagles picked up their first win of the season, 42-8, over Southmoreland. South Park cracked the MSA Sports Class AAA Top Ten with the win. Mount Pleasant QB Johnny Yester passed for over 300 yards in last week’s victory. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Vikings will send the Eagles home with one in the L column.
Mount Pleasant over South Park.

CLASS 2-A
#6 Brentwood (1-0) at #10 East Allegheny (1-1)

The Spartans hit the road to take on the Wildcats in a Three Rivers Conference battle Friday night. Brentwood is coming off of a 47-12 rout of Serra Catholic last week, while East Allegheny blanked South Allegheny, 56-0. The Wildcats broke into the MSA Sports Class AA Top 10 with the victory. Quarterback Michael Trent completed 6/7 for 164 yards in the Spartans’ inaugural game. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Spartans will continue to roll.
Brentwood over East Allegheny.

CLASS 1-A
#8 Fort Cherry (1-0) at #10 Greensburg Central Catholic (1-1)

The Centurions play host to the Rangers in a non-conference showdown between Class A Top 10 contenders. Last week, Greensburg Central Catholic needed a come-from-behind rally to top Imani Christian, 23-20, while Fort Cherry knocked off California, 26-20. Rangers QB Ryhan Culberson passed for 125 yards in the victory. The Centurions have been outscored 37-61 in their first two games. Chick’s Picks predicts a big win on home turf this week.
Greensburg Central Catholic over Fort Cherry.

CLASS 6-A:

Northern Seven Conference

Pine-Richland over Seneca Valley

Southeastern Conference

Mount Lebanon over Hempfield

Bethel Park over Peters Township

6-A Non-Conference

Penn Hills over Canon-McMillan

Norwin over Shaler

CLASS 5-A:

Allegheny Nine Conference

Baldwin over Hampton