Chick’s Picks kicks her prognostication up a notch for Week 3

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 13, 2018 | 4:33 PM

Welcome to Week 3 of the high school football season.

Chick’s Picks recently took up kickboxing classes. These classes have significantly helped Chick’s Pick deal with the stresses of being a top-notch prognosticator, as well as a local celebrity. The gym was a place where Chick’s Picks could fly under the radar and just be herself.

During a session earlier this week, Chick’s Picks noticed one of her classmates, Nancy, seemingly taking out some extra frustration on the bag. Concerned for her classmate’s well-being, Chick’s Picks approached with caution and asked if she was OK.

Nancy replied, “No, it’s been a terrible week. Have you heard of that local prognosticator — Chick’s Picks? Well, she had the nerve to pick against my son’s team! How could she? She’s got it all wrong — her and that worthless crystal ball. Now she’s gone and jinxed his team!”

Chick’s Picks stepped back slowly, gloves up, and replied, “I can’t believe she would have the nerve to pick against your son! Who in the world does she think she is? Now go ahead, Nancy, take it all out on that bag!”

As soon as the class came to an end, Chick’s Picks made a beeline for her car and thanked her lucky stars Nancy had not recognized the celebrity in her presence.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 48-15 (76 percent) record, bringing her season total to 131-53 (71 percent). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6A

No. 3 Mt. Lebanon (2-1) at No. 5 Seneca Valley (2-1)

The Blue Devils hit the road to take on Seneca Valley in Class 6A action Friday night. Mt. Lebanon is coming off of a 44-21 win over Butler, while Seneca Valley blanked Canon-McMillan, 31-0. Blue Devils’ quarterback Seth Morgan can get it done in the air and on the ground. Morgan has passed for nearly 700 yards and rushed for a team-best 216 yards this season. Raiders quarterback Gabe Lawson has thrown for 331 yards and five touchdowns on the year. Lawson missed Seneca Valley’s game against Central Catholic — the Raiders’ only loss of the season — with a shoulder injury, but is back in working order now. Seneca Valley has been impressive defensively, allowing less than nine points per game. Chick’s Picks predicts a win for the home team in this one. … Seneca Valley over Mt. Lebanon .

CLASS 5A

No. 5 Peters Township (2-1) at West Allegheny (2-0)

Peters Township looks to hand West Allegheny its first loss of the season in this Allegheny Eight Conference showdown Friday night. Last week, Peters Township blanked Woodland Hills, 20-0, while West Allegheny edged Bethel Park, 36-35. Logan Pfeuffer leads Peters Township with 278 passing yards and three touchdowns. West Allegheny’s Dante Flati has found paydirt five times so far this season. Peters Township has allowed only 23 points in three games. Chick’s Picks predicts that solid defense will face its toughest test all season in this one. … West Allegheny over Peters Township .

CLASS 4A

New Castle (1-2) at Beaver (2-1)

The Bobcats host the Red Hurricane in Northwest Eight Conference action Friday night. New Castle looks to rebound this week after being shut out by South Fayette, 36-0, last week. Beaver topped Knoch, 35-21. The Red Hurricanes have struggled offensively so far this season, being outscored by opponents 38-31 in their first three games. Josh Thomason leads New Castle with two touchdowns. The Bobcats were missing starting quarterback Brodie List during their only loss this season, to South Fayette. List returned big last week against Knoch, however, throwing for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Chick’s Picks predicts a victory for the home team in this one. … Beaver over New Castle .

CLASS 3A

No. 5 Quaker Valley (1-1) at Beaver Falls (3-0)

The Quakers look to keep their spot in the Top 5 rankings when they take on the Tigers in a Tri-County West Conference matchup Friday night. This marks the second straight undefeated opponent for Quaker Valley, which was routed by Aliquippa last week, 59-6. Beaver Falls remained perfect with a 41-7 win over Central Valley. The Quakers are led by Ethan Moore’s three touchdowns. Amen Cottrill and Josh Hough have scored four a piece for the Tigers, who have outscored opponents 130-38 in their first three games. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Tigers remain perfect in this one. … Beaver Falls over Quaker Valley .

CLASS 2A

No. 2 Shady Side Academy (2-0) at No. 1 Steel Valley (2-0)

Steel Valley hosts Shady Side Academy in an Allegheny Conference showdown between top-ranked teams Friday night. The Ironmen are coming off of a 31-24 win over Avonworth, while the Indians routed Valley, 43-14. Steel Valley boasts an impressive ground game, featuring Todd Hill and Kam Williams, who have combined for 673 yards and seven touchdowns in two games. Shady Side Academy is led by highly-touted quarterback Skyy Moore, who has thrown for 310 yards and rushed for another 281 yards. The Indians’ defense has allowed only 20 points. Chicks’ Picks predicts and upset in Munhall. … Shady Side Academy over Steel Valley .

CLASS A

No. 4 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (3-0) at No. 5 Rochester (3-0)

The Chargers take on the Rams in a battle of Big Seven Conference undefeateds Friday night. Last week, OLSH blanked Northgate, 56-0, while Rochester rolled over Leechburg, 42-6. The Chargers are led by one of the WPIAL’s top passers in Tyler Bradley, who has thrown for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. OLSH has gotten it done defensively, as well, allowing only 12 points in three games. Rams’ running back Noah Whiteleather, who ranks fourth in the WPIAL, has racked up 617 yards and six touchdowns. Chick’s Picks likes the Chargers’ defense to pull off the road win. … OLSH over Rochester .

In other matchups:

CLASS 6A

Pine-Richland over Butler

Central Catholic over Hempfield

North Allegheny over Canon-McMillan

Nonconference

Norwin over Chartiers Valley

CLASS 5A

Allegheny Eight Conference

Baldwin over Moon

Upper St. Clair over Woodland Hills

Big East Conference