Chicks Picks – Week Ten – 2017

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 3, 2017 | 3:00 AM

Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season. This week, as we wrap up the regular season and move into the playoffs, Chick’s Picks recalled the old quote, “As one door closes, another opens.” She remembered her time, many years ago, as an intern under The Boss. The WPIAL football regular season was coming to an end, along with her internship.

She found herself feeling very sentimental, as she had thoroughly enjoyed her time as The Boss’s intern – making photocopies and fetching all office necessities like coffee and The Boss’s favorite peanut butter cookies. When her last day had come, she was making her rounds to say her final goodbyes when The Boss approached.

He said, “Young Melissa, I have a challenge for you. I want you to predict the winners of this week’s opening round playoff games. If you have a higher percentage of winners than I do, you are hired.”

Though she had no experience in predictions, the intern did not hesitate to take on The Boss’s challenge. Nearly 20 years later, Chick’s Picks reigns as the top prognosticator in the WPIAL. One door closed, and another door opened.

Best of luck to all of this year’s playoff teams.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 48-12 (80%) record, bringing her season total to 456-116 (80%). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6-A
#6 Penn Hills (7-3) at #3 Bethel Park (8-1)

Bethel Park plays host to Penn Hills to kick off Class 6A quarterfinal action Friday night. The Indians look to stay alive after closing out the regular season with a 21-0 loss to Central Catholic last week. The Black Hawks topped Mount Lebanon 34-24. Penn Hills is led by one of the WPIAL’s top passers in Hollis Mathis, who has thrown for 2,093 yards and 23 touchdowns. Bethel Park relies on the ground game and passing game to boost their high-powered offense that averages more than 35 points per game. Quarterback Anthony Chiccitt has thrown for 794 yards, and running back Tanner Volpatti has rushed for 1,111 yards and 22 touchdowns. Chick’s Picks like the Black Hawks to advance to the semifinals.
Bethel Park over Penn Hills.

CLASS 5-A
#5 Franklin Regional (6-3) at #4 Upper St. Clair (7-3)

Franklin Regional takes on Upper St. Clair in a Class 5A quarterfinal showdown Friday night. Both of these Panthers closed out the regular season with losses last week. Franklin Regional fell to Gateway, 35-17, while Upper St. Clair was edged by Woodland Hills, 9-7. Quarterback Adam Rudzinski has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns for Franklin Regional. Versatile Upper St. Clair quarterback Jack Hansberry has thrown for 1,376 yards, and rushed for an additional 526. Franklin Regional has narrowly outscored opponents this season, 172-163. Chick’s Picks likes the home team Panthers to advance in this one.
Upper St. Clair over Franklin Regional.

CLASS 4-A
#5 New Castle (7-3) at #5 Montour (7-2)

Two dual-threat quarterbacks take the stage Friday night when Montour hosts New Castle in a Class 4A quarterfinal matchup. Spartans’ quarterback Kavon Morman has thrown for 1,158 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year, and rushed for another 417 yards and 10 touchdowns. Red Hurricane quarterback Marcus Hooker has passed for only 500 yards and five touchdowns, but rushed for a team-best 1,271 yards and 17 touchdowns. Montour is coming off of a 49-21 loss to South Fayette last week, while New Castle blanked Blackhawk, 42-0. These familiar Northwest Nine Conference foes met in Week 1, when the Spartans rolled to a 42-21 victory. Chick’s Picks predicts a similar outcome this time around.
Montour over New Castle.

CLASS 3-A
#5 Beaver (8-2) at #4 Elizabeth Forward (7-2)

The Warriors host the Bobcats to open the Class 3A quarterfinals Friday night. Last week, Beaver rolled over Beaver Falls, 68-6, while Elizabeth Forward knocked off Burgettstown, 35-14. Bobcats’ quarterback Brodie List has thrown for 794 yards on the year. The Warriors are led by quarterback Zach Benedek, who has passed for 1,314 yards and 19 touchdowns. Benedek’s favorite target has been Gavin Martik, with 915 receiving yards and 19 touchdown this season. Both offenses are averaging around 40 points per game. The Elizabeth Forward defense has held opponents to only 112 points in nine games. Chick’s Picks likes the postseason experience of the Bobcats in this one.
Beaver over Elizabeth Forward.

CLASS 2-A
#10 Mohawk (5-3) at #7 East Allegheny (6-3)

Class 2A first round action kicks off Friday night in North Versailles as East Allegheny plays host to Mohawk. The Wildcats ended their regular season with a one point loss to Serra Catholic last week, 27-26. The Warriors also added one to their loss column last week with a 35-21 loss to Neshannock. East Allegheny quarterback Tamaine Underwood ranks among the best in the WPIAL this season, passing for 1,852 yards and 18 touchdowns. Mohawk has found success in the air and on the ground. Quarterback Nick Wheeler has passed for 1,021 yards and six touchdowns. Braydon Cameron has picked up 1,852 yards on the ground, and 18 touchdowns so far this season. The Warriors have been outscored by opponents 167-197. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Wildcats will punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
East Allegheny over Mohawk.

CLASS 1-A
#9 Union (7-3) at #8 Fort Cherry (7-2)

The Scotties hit the road to take on the Rangers in a Class A first round matchup Friday night. Last week, Union closed out its regular season by blanking Shenango, 48-0, while Fort Cherry rolled over Jefferson-Morgan 48-21. The Scotties have allowed less than 16 points per game this season. That defense will be tested against Fort Cherry’s Ryhan Culberson. The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 583 yards and eight touchdowns, and rushed for a team-best 1,394 yards and 25 touchdowns. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Rangers will hold on for a trip to the quarterfinals.
Fort Cherry over Union.

CLASS 6-A Quarterfinals:

Pine-Richland over Norwin

Pittsburgh Central Catholic over Peters Township

North Allegheny over Mt. Lebanon

CLASS 5-A Quarterfinals:

McKeesport over West Allegheny

Penn-Trafford over Fox Chapel

Gateway over Woodland Hills

CLASS 4-A Quarterfinals:

Belle Vernon over Mars

Thomas Jefferson over Trinity

South Fayette over West Mifflin