Chicks Picks – Week Two – 2014

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, September 4, 2014 | 4:13 PM

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Welcome to Week 2 of the high school football season. Network superstar Sam Hall contacted Chick’s Picks this week to invite her on an adventure like no other – the opportunity to join him on one of his daily morning helicopter rides.  Chick’s Picks was hesitant, as panic typically sets in when performing any activity in which her feet leave the ground.  Smooth-talking Sam sealed the deal, though, using a classic line: “Come on Chixy, you’ll see the city like you’ve never seen it before.”

Against her better judgment, Chick’s Picks arrived at the helipad not-so-bright and early Wednesday morning.  The ride was smoother than expected; that is, until they were soaring high above the Monongahela River.  Sam said, “Look Chixy, there is your alma mater, there on the bluff.”

Just as Chick’s Picks turned to see, Sam reached over, opened the door, and said, “It all ends here Chixy.  No longer will your weekly Chick’s Picks be any sort of competition for my Big Game Hunting…”  And he proceeded to give her one good shove out of the chopper.

Fortunately, many summers spent swimming in her parents’ 12’ X 4’ pool paid off for Chick’s Picks, as she easily navigated the waters of the Mon, and safely made it to shore.  The competition is harsh, after all, when you are the best pigskin prognosticator in the land.

Chick’s Picks got the season off to a slow start, accurately predicting only 72% of last week’s winners (47-18).  Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#6 Pine-Richland (1-0) at #7 North Allegheny (1-0)

Northern Eight Conference action heats up Friday night as North Allegheny hosts Pine-Richland.  The Tigers opened the season with an upset of Seneca Valley, 14-0, while the Rams rolled over Shaler, 42-0.  Expect big things through the air in this one, as both quarterbacks have gotten off to hot starts.  Ben DiNucci led Pine-Richland with 269 yards and four touchdowns.  North Allegheny got the best of both worlds from Jeff Clemens, who earned over 100 yards in the air and on the ground.  When these two met last season, the Tigers edged the Rams, 29-28.  Chick’s Picks predicts a repeat performance.
North Allegheny over Pine-Richland.

CLASS AAA
#4 Knoch (1-0) at Greensburg Salem (1-0)

Greensburg Salem opened some eyes last week, upending Gateway with a game-winning field goal in overtime, 9-6.  Knocking off the Gators in their Class AAA debut certainly gave the Golden Lions momentum heading into this week’s Greater Allegheny Conference showdown against Knoch.  The Knights pulled what was technically considered an upset of Franklin Regional last week, 22-7, although the Panthers put up little fight.  Knock will rely on the arm of QB Dan Farinelli, who threw for 135 yards in last week’s victory.  When these two met last season, Greensburg Salem came out on top, 20-14.  Chick’s Picks likes the Knights to seek revenge in this one.
Knoch over Greensburg Salem.

CLASS AA
#3 Seton-LaSalle (1-0) at South Allegheny (1-0)

South Allegheny made a bold statement last week with a 40-24 thumping of Sto-Rox.  The Gladiators will face an even bigger challenge this week when they play host to Seton-LaSalle, who earned a 19-8 Week 1 victory over South Park.  When these two met last season, the Rebels rolled, 40-3.  Things are much different this time around, however, with the return of Curtis Moore to the Gladiators’ lineup.  Moore, a 6’0” senior RB, missed last season with a foot injury.  He came back big last week, rushing for 210 yards and six touchdowns.  Chick’s Picks likes the Gladiators for an early-season Century Conference upset.
South Allegheny over Seton-LaSalle.

CLASS A
#8 Shenango (1-0) at #4 Neshannock (1-0)

Shenango broke into the Top 10 this week after a 23-22 upset of Western Beaver to open the season.  The Wildcats, with the win, boasted two 100-yard rushers in Hunter Waskin and Tyler Root.  Neshannock rolled easily, 52-13, over South Side, despite some rebuilding after graduating 1,000-yard passer and rusher Ernie Burkes.  Robert Lindsey filled the void nicely, scoring five rushing touchdowns in the victory.  When these two met last season, the Lancers came out on top, 35-14.  Chick’s Picks predicts a similar result for the perennial power this time around.
Neshannock over Shenango.

CLASS AAAA
Foothills Conference

Penn-Trafford over Connellsville

Hempfield over Norwin

Latrobe over Kiski Area

McKeesport over Altoona

Northern Eight Conference

Central Catholic over Shaler

Seneca Valley over Fox Chapel

Southeastern Conference

Penn Hills over Canon-McMillan

Upper St. Clair over Peters Township

Woodland Hills over Bethel Park

Class AAAA Non-Conference

Baldwin over Butler

Mount Lebanon over Moon

North Hills over Plum
 

CLASS AAA
Big Nine Conference

Elizabeth Forward over Albert Gallatin

Thomas Jefferson over Belle Vernon

Trinity over Laurel Highlands

Ringgold over Uniontown

Greater Allegheny Conference

Franklin Regional over Hollidaysburg

Indiana over Hampton

Mars over Yough

Parkway Conference

Central Valley over Blackhawk

West Allegheny over Chartiers Valley

Hopewell over Ambridge

Montour over New Castle

Class AAA Non-Conference

West Mifflin over Gateway
 

CLASS AA
Allegheny Conference

Highlands over Deer Lakes

Freeport over Ford City

Shady Side Academy over Burrell

Valley over Apollo-Ridge

Kittanning over West Shamokin

Century Conference

South Fayette over Keystone Oaks

Quaker Valley over South Park

Steel Valley over East Allegheny

Sto-Rox over Carlynton

Interstate Conference

McGuffey over Charleroi

Mount Pleasant over Derry

Washington over Burgettstown

Waynesburg over Brownsville

Midwestern Conference

Freedom over Mohawk

Aliquippa over Laurel

New Brighton over Ellwood City

Beaver over Summit Academy

Class AA Non-Conference

Beaver Falls over Southmoreland
 

CLASS A
Big Seven Conference

Rochester over South Side

Western Beaver over Riverside

Black Hills Conference

Brentwood over Fort Cherry

Cardinal Weurl North Catholic over Chartiers-Houston

Avonworth over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Eastern Conference

Jeannette over Serra Catholic

Springdale over Leechburg

Clairton over Wilkinsburg

Monessen over Riverview

Tri-County South Conference

Avella over California

Frazier over Jefferson-Morgan

Carmichaels over Mapletown

West Greene over Bentworth

Class A Non-Conference

Union over Bishop Canevin

Greensburg Central Catholic over Beth-Center

Vincentian over Northgate

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE Non-Conference:

Perry over Allderdice

University Prep over Westinghouse

Carrick over Redbank Valley

Karns City over Brashear