Chicks Picks for Week Five

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, September 29, 2016 | 7:16 PM

Welcome to Week 5 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks spends more time than she would care to admit trolling Amazon for her next potential purchase. Last week, Chick’s Picks stumbled upon a plethora of crystal balls. Tempted by the allure of the shiny, new prognosticating tools, Chick’s Picks decided that a bit of research would not hurt.

Her guilty conscience set in right away, as she struggled with the desire to upgrade her equipment despite more than 15 years of loyalty to her current crystal ball. Chick’s Picks decided to consult an expert – The Boss.

The Boss’s advice was simple, “Chick’s Picks – there’s nothing wrong with an upgrade. Things wear out, just like people. And based on your performance so far this season, it looks like that time may have come.” The Boss has always had a knack for throwing in an insult or two while dishing out advice.

So, Chick’s Picks decided to pull the trigger. Her brand new, sparkly crystal ball arrived just in time for last week’s predictions. By the looks of things, Chick’s Picks made the right decision.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 56-9 (86%) record, upping her season total to 199-57 (78%). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6-A
#4 Penn Hills (3-2) at #6 Seneca Valley (2-2)

Penn Hills travels to Zelienople to take on Seneca Valley in Northern Seven Conference action Friday night. The Indians blanked Shaler last week, 53-0, while the Raiders were routed by Central Catholic, 42-14. Penn Hills features the top-ranked quarterback in the WPIAL in Cam Tarrant, who has already thrown for 1,590 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Seneca Valley is led by versatile quarterback Jack Cook, who has racked up 756 passing yards and 266 rushing yards so far this season. The Raiders have managed a (2-2) record, narrowly outscoring opponents, 124-123. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Indians will push the Raiders into the red after this one.
Penn Hills over Seneca Valley.

CLASS 5-A
#3 Penn-Trafford (5-0) at #8 Gateway (3-2)

The Gators host the Warriors in a battle between Big East Conference rivals Friday night. Last week, Gateway routed Hampton, 49-14, while Penn-Trafford stopped Latrobe, 48-17. The Gators will look to their high-scoring offense, averaging 39 points per game, to shut down the Warriors. Penn-Trafford is led by one of top passers in the WPIAL in Cam Laffoon, who has thrown for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year. Chick’s Picks predicts that the defending WPIAL Class 4-A runners-up will remain perfect in this one.
Penn-Trafford over Gateway.

CLASS 4-A
#2 Thomas Jefferson (4-0) at #7 Ringgold (3-1)

Thomas Jefferson takes on Ringgold in Big Nine Conference action Friday night. The Jaguars posted their third shutout of the season last week, 62-0, over Albert Gallatin, while the Rams rolled over Laurel Highlands, 55-11. TJ boasts the top ranked defense in Class 4-A, allowing only 14 points all season. While the Jags’ Zane Zandier is being highly recruited for his defensive talents, he also leads his team in scoring with 10 touchdowns on the year. Ringgold’s Brenden Small has rushed for 495 yards and six touchdowns. TJ’s offense is scoring 56 points per game – nearly 20 points more per game than Ringgold. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Jaguars will outlast.
Thomas Jefferson over Ringgold.

CLASS 3-A
#1 Beaver (4-0) at #4 Central Valley (4-1)

The Warriors welcome the top-ranked Bobcats in a Beaver Valley Conference showdown Friday night. Last week, Central Valley knocked off Quaker Valley, 37-16, while Beaver rolled over Keystone Oaks, 77-49. The Warriors have found success with not one, but two quarterbacks this season. Nico Battisti and Curtis Latshaw have combined for over 700 passing yards and nine touchdowns. Bobcats’ quarterback Darius Wise has thrown for 326 yards and three touchdowns, and also leads his team in rushing with 909 yards and 15 touchdowns. Central Valley’s defense has been impressive this season, allowing only 15 points per game. Chick’s Picks predicts that the high-powered Bobcats’ offense will still be too much to contain.
Beaver over Central Valley.

CLASS 2-A
#10 Carlynton (2-2) at #7 East Allegheny (3-2)

Carlynton hits the road to take on Three Rivers Conference rival East Allegheny in a battle between Top 10 teams Friday night. The Cougars are coming off of a 56-0 rout of Vincentian Academy last week, while the Wildcats fell to Neshannock, 50-22. East Allegheny will be keeping a close eye on Carlynton’s Dallas Paolino, who has found paydirt six times so far this season. Quarterback Tamaine Underwood leads the Wildcats, who have found their way back into the Top 10 rankings after a few years of rebuilding. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Wildcats will find a way to avoid two straight losses.
East Allegheny over Carlynton.

CLASS A
#2 Jeannette (5-0) at #4 Bishop Canevin (3-1)

The Crusaders play host to the Jayhawks in an Eastern Conference showdown Friday night. Jeannette recorded its second straight shutout last week, 37-0, over Imani Christian, while Bishop Canevin blanked Riverview, 35-0. The Jayhawks boast the highest scoring offense in Class A, averaging 49 points per game. Quarterback Gio Vonne Sanders pilots Jeannette’s offense, passing for 781 yards and 10 touchdowns already this season. The Crusaders are led by Maleik Hemingway, who has rushed for 400 yards and six touchdowns on the year. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Jayhawks will continue flying high in this one,
Jeannette over Bishop Canevin.

CLASS 6-A

Northern Seven Conference

Butler over Shaler

Central Catholic over Pine-Richland

Southeastern Conference

Altoona over Canon-McMillan

Bethel Park over Hempfield

Norwin over Peters Township

Non-Conference

North Allegheny over Mt. Lebanon

CLASS 5-A

Allegheny Nine Conference