Chicks Picks for Week Ten

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 3, 2016 | 11:07 PM

Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks attended the annual Playoff Pairings meeting on Monday night. After witnessing so much joy from the teams that punched their tickets to the postseason, Chick’s Picks couldn’t help but feel bad for those that missed out – especially those with only a few losses on the year.

The situation reminded Chick’s Picks of a time when the MSA Sports crew got together for pick-up game of dodgeball. The Boss and world-renowned broadcaster Sam Hall were the team captains. Based on her athletic prowess, Chick’s Picks was sure that she would be drafted in the early rounds.

Much to her surprise, though, Chick’s Picks ended up on The Boss’s squad by default, after being left as the last player available. Chick’s Picks pleaded her case, “Boss, how could you not pick me sooner? I’ve been the best prognosticator in the WPIAL all season.”

“All season, except that one week,” The Boss said. “This is a cut-throat league, Chick’s Picks. You’ve got to bring you’re A-game each week, and know that, at the end of the day, you gave it your best. That’s all you can do.”

The Boss was right. Chick’s Picks knew that she always gave it her best. She hoped that those players who will be watching from the stands this Friday night, despite so much success all season, would find solace in the fact that they left it all on the field – just like Chick’s Picks did in dodgeball.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 55-10 (85%) record, upping her season total to 461-119 (79%). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6-A
#5 Pine-Richland (6-4) at #4 Bethel Park (5-4)

The postseason kicks off Friday night at Bethel Park when the Black Hawks host the Rams. Bethel Park wrapped up regular season play with a loss to Mount Lebanon, 35-14. Pine-Richland also fell short last week, losing to North Allegheny, 47-10. The Black Hawks and the Rams met earlier this season, when Pine-Richland came away with a 31-24 Week 5 victory. This time around, though, the Rams will be without the services of quarterback Phil Jurkovec, who suffered a season-ending thumb injury in Week 6. Max DeVinney has filled in nicely, however, passing for 1,045 yards in just four games. Bethel Park quarterback Cole Rogers has thrown for 1,438 yards and no interceptions this season. Chick’s Picks knows the Black Hawks will be facing a different Rams team, but predicts that the result will be the same.
Pine-Richland over Bethel Park.

CLASS 5-A
#5 Franklin Regional (7-2) at #4 Woodland Hills (8-2)

Franklin Regional heads to the Wolvarena to take on Woodland hills in a quarterfinal showdown Friday night. Last week, the Panthers edged Gateway, 24-19, while the Wolverines topped Upper St. Clair, 28-21. Franklin Regional features versatile quarterback Simon Behr, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards, and also leads the team in rushing with 756 yards. The Woodland Hills backfield duo of Ja’Juan Hill and Saeed Holt has racked up over 1,300 yards and 23 touchdowns on the year. The Panthers’ defense has been stingy this season, allowing only 15 points per game. Still, Chick’s Picks predicts that the Wolverines will use the Wolvarena playoff atmosphere to their advantage in this one.
Woodland Hills over Franklin Regional.

CLASS 4-A
#6 Ringgold (7-2) at #3 Mars (8-2)

The Planets host the Rams in a quarterfinal matchup Friday night. Mars is coming off of a 42-14 win over Knoch last week, while Ringgold rolled over Trinity, 34-14. The Planets boast the top rusher in Class 4-A in Isaiah Johnson, who has racked up 1,264 yards and 18 touchdowns on the year. Rams’ quarterback George Martin has thrown for 1,805 yards, 17 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Mars defense is allowing only 16 points per game – one touchdowns fewer than Ringgold. Chick’s Picks predicts that defense outlasts in the postseason.
Mars over Ringgold.

CLASS 3-A
#5 Central Valley (7-3) at #4 Derry (10-0)

Central Valley makes a long road trip to Derry for a quarterfinal showdown Friday night. While the Warriors won by forfeit over Shady Side Academy last week, the Trojans were wrapping up their best regular season in school history with a dominating 52-22 win over McGuffey. Derry is led by Tyler Balega, who has rushed for 1,333 yards and 24 touchdowns. Central Valley’s Nico Battisti leads his team in both passing and rushing, combining for more than 1,600 yards. The Trojans’ defense has allowed only 121 points all season. Still, Chick’s Picks predicts that the Warriors’ Beaver Valley power conference experience will prevail.
Central Valley over Derry.

CLASS 2-A
#9 Laurel (7-3) at #8 Chartiers-Houston (7-3)

Laurel takes on Chartiers-Houston in first round playoff action Friday night. The Spartans are coming off of a 42-0 rout of Carlynton last week, while the Buccaneers edged Frazier, 14-6. Laurel quarterback Will Shaffer is a member of the 1,000-yard passer club. Chartiers-Houston’s TJ Johnson has thrown for 1,354 yards, 12 touchdowns, and no interceptions on the year. The Spartans and Buccaneers are very similar on paper, both outscoring opponents by an average of just three points per game this season. Chick’s Picks predicts that it will be the Spartans to advance to the quarterfinals.
Laurel over Chartiers-Houston.

CLASS 1-A
#9 Sto-Rox (6-4) at #8 Fort Cherry (8-1)

The Rangers play host to the Vikings in first round action Friday night. Last week, Fort Cherry rolled over Jefferson-Morgan, 42-14, while Sto-Rox fell to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 27-18. The Rangers are led by quarterback Ryhan Culberson, who has thrown for 617 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also leads the team in rushing with 867 yards and 19 touchdowns. Vikings’ quarterback Brady Doubt has thrown for 1,190 yards and nine touchdowns. Fort Cherry is allowing only 13 points per game. Sto-Rox has been outscored by opponents, 238-249, so far this season. Chick’s Picks knows that the Vikings have broken her crystal ball a few times already this season, and she won’t let it happen again.
Fort Cherry over Sto-Rox.

CLASS 6-A QUARTERFINALS:

Central Catholic over Norwin

North Allegheny over Hempfield

Mount Lebanon over Seneca Valley

CLASS 5-A QUARTERFINALS:

West Allegheny over North Hills

Armstrong over Gateway

Upper St. Clair over McKeesport

CLASS 4-A QUARTERFINALS:

Thomas Jefferson over Montour

West Mifflin over Belle Vernon

South Fayette over New Castle