Chicks Picks – Week Four – 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, September 19, 2013 | 11:41 AM

Welcome to Week 4. Chick’s Picks has a dear friend at the MSA Sports Network who loves nothing more than to spend his free time attending bizarre fitness classes. For months, Mike Azadian has been strongly encouraging Chick’s Picks to attend a hot yoga session with him. Nothing about this idea sounded even the slightest bit intriguing to Chick’s Picks, but after a stressful week, she decided to give it a try.

Chick’s Picks was right—she found little stress relief stretching her body in ways it did not belong. To make matters worse, her trusty crystal ball could not withstand the heat of the 105-degree studio. This week’s picks melted out of the crystal ball, right into oblivion.

Rushing to the repair shop, Chick’s Picks pleaded her case, emphasizing that she was not confident in her predictions without her crystal ball’s support. The damage left in the wake of hot yoga was no match for even the elite crystal ball journeyman, leaving Chick’s Picks to prognosticate all on her own this week.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 52-14 (79% record), upping her season total to 151-46 (77%). Here are this week’s big games:

Agree with her picks? Disagree? Chick’s Picks wants to hear from you! Be sure to follow her on Twitter @ChicksPicksMSA. Don’t forget to tweet your scores to us @MSASports!

CLASS AAAA
#2 Upper St. Clair (3-0) at #7 Penn Hills (3-0)

The Indians host the Panthers Friday night to break an early-season tie for first place in the Southeastern Conference. Last week, Upper St. Clair shutout Peters Township, 41-0, while Penn Hills topped Baldwin, 37-21. The Panthers have not allowed a point since Week 1, and have outscored opponents 104-10 in their first three games. The Indians have faced more struggles defensively, allowing nearly 18 points per game. Offensively, though, Penn Hills boasts QB Billy Kisner, the leading rusher in Class AAAA. Kisner has rushed for 568 yards and five touchdowns on the year. When these two met last season, the Panthers blanked the Indians, 27-0. Chick’s Picks thinks defense will be key this time around.
Upper St. Clair over Penn Hills

CLASS AAA
#10 New Castle (2-1) at #7 Montour (2-1)

Montour hosts New Castle Friday night in a battle of the highly competitive Parkway Conference. The Red Hurricane are coming off of a 37-13 win over Ambridge. The Spartans edged Mohawk, 27-26, in non-conference play. These two have both fallen victim to Central Valley this season—New Castle in Week 1, 29-6, and Montour in Week 2, 38-0. When these two met last season, it was Montour coming away with a 33-14 victory. The Spartans this season, however, have run into a bit of a rebuilding phase, and have been outscored by opponents, 47-78. Chick’s Picks likes the Red Hurricane in this one.
New Castle over Montour

CLASS AA
#9 New Brighton (3-0) at #1 Aliquippa (3-0)

The Lions head to The Pit to take on the top-ranked Quips in Midwestern Conference action Friday night. Last week, Aliquippa routed Riverside, 49-0, while New Brighton knocked off South Allegheny, 52-25. The Quips are led by the dynamic backfield duo of Dravon Henry and Terry Swanson, who have combined for over 600 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns already this season. The Lions boast one of the top QBs in the WPIAL in Gabe Greco, who has passed for 705 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. Greco’s high-powered offense puts New Brighton atop the WPIAL with an average of 52.7 points per game. Aliquippa won big over New Brighton last season, 66-0. Chick’s Picks likes the Quips again, in a closer contest.
Aliquippa over New Brighton

CLASS A
#9 Monessen (2-1) at #1 Clairton (3-0)

Prior to the start of the season, this was predicted to be the matchup that would finally end Clairton’s win streak. Monessen did not help its cause last week, however, falling to Fort Cherry, 49-33. The Bears rolled over California, 32-7, to remain perfect. QB Noah Rullo and RB Clintell Gillaspie have helped the Greyhounds offensively this season, averaging 35.5 points per game. Monessen has struggled on defense, though, allowing nearly 19 points per game—more than eight times that of Clairton’s defense—the best in Class A. When these two met last season, Clairton put away Monessen, 52-7. Chick’s Picks likes the Bears for win #67.
Clairton over Monessen

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference

Gateway over Altoona

Kiski Area over Hempfield

Latrobe over Norwin

McKeesport over Penn-Trafford

Northern Eight Conference

Central Catholic over Fox Chapel

North Hills over Butler

North Allegheny over Pine-Richland

Southeastern Conference

Mount Lebanon over Baldwin