Chicks Picks – Week 11 – 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, November 7, 2013 | 3:06 PM

Welcome to Week 11. It is not unusual for Chick’s Picks to be flooded with requests for guest appearances around the WPIAL—a small part of the price of fame that has come along with her celebrity prognosticating career.  A rather extraordinary request came in last week, however—one that Chick’s Picks could simply not refuse.

The City of Pittsburgh reached out late last week seeking her availability to serve as a parade Grand Marshal—a role that Chick’s Picks had always aspired to be.  Looking back at other famous Grand Marshals throughout history—Paula Deen, Mr. Rogers, Pele, and even Mickey Mouse himself—Chick’s Picks knew at that moment that she had made it.

Chick’s Picks and her agent checked in downtown early Tuesday morning, prepared for her big day.  What they did not realize, however, was that the ‘parade’ she was leading was actually the march of the elephants, marking the arrival of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus to town.  Next year, Tournament of Roses Parade, next year.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 27-6 (82%) record, bringing her season total to 505-117 (81%).

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

WPIAL CLASS AAAA
#4 Woodland Hills (8-2) vs. #5 Seneca Valley (9-1)

The Wolverines will meet the Raiders at North Allegheny’s Newman Stadium in a quarterfinal matchup Friday night.  Woodland Hills advanced in the first round with a 35-14 win over Pine-Richland.  Seneca Valley stopped Hempfield, 36-10.  RB Miles Sanders leads the Wolverines with more than 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.  Raiders QB TJ Holl has passed for 1,804 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Holl also leads the team in rushing with 723 yards and 16 touchdowns.  Both defenses have been solid this season, allowing around 13 points per game.  Chick’s Picks likes the Raiders with the near-home-field advantage in this one.
Seneca Valley over Woodland Hills

WPIAL CLASS AAA
#4 Franklin Regional (9-1) vs. #5 West Mifflin (9-1)

Class AAA quarterfinal action heats up at East Allegheny Friday night as Franklin Regional takes on West Mifflin.  The Panthers are coming off of a 42-21 first round victory over Montour, while the Titans edged Moon, 47-42.  QB Charan Singh has made a smooth transition from receiver, leading Franklin Regional with 684 passing yards and ten touchdowns, and another 632 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.  The Panthers defense has allowed only nine points per game.  It will certainly have its hands full, however, with the WPIAL’s top running back in Jimmy Wheeler.  The standout back leads West Mifflin with 2,381 yards and 35 touchdowns this season.  The Titans defense has struggled as of late, allowing 105 points in its last three games.  Chick’s Picks likes the Panthers to punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Franklin Regional over West Mifflin

WPIAL CLASS AA
#12 Beaver (7-3) vs. #4 Mt. Pleasant (10-0)

The Bobcats look to pull off their second consecutive upset when they face the undefeated Vikings Friday night at Plum.  Last week, Beaver knocked off Shady Side Academy, 42-21, while Mt. Pleasant topped Valley, 47-14.  The Bobcats boast the WPIAL’s top-ranked QB in Alex Rowse, who has passed for 2,445 yards and 37 touchdowns.  Vikings RB Tyler Mellors has rushed for 1,592 yards and 28 touchdowns on the year.  Defense has been key for Mt. Pleasant, allowing only 14 points per game—less than half that of Beaver.  Chick’s Picks likes the Vikings to remain perfect in this one.
Mt. Pleasant over Beaver

WPIAL CLASS A
#3 Monessen (10-1) vs. #6 Neshannock (8-2)

Monessen will meet Neshannock Friday night at Chartiers-Houston to battle for a spot in the semifinals.  The Greyhounds defeated West Shamokin, 37-14, in the first round, while the Lancers routed Brentwood, 40-9.  Both sides feature talent at quarterback and running back.  Monessen’s Noah Rullo has thrown for nearly 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns.  Clintell Gillaspie has racked up over 1,100 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.  Neshannock QB Ernie Burkes is approaching 1,000 yards both in the air and on the ground.  Burkes has passed for 14 touchdowns, and rushed for 16 more.  Eli Owens accounts for another 1,300 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.  The Lancers came away with a 24-21 win when these two met in last year’s quarterfinals.  Chick’s Picks predicts a similar result this time around.
Neshannock over Monessen

WPIAL CLASS AAAA

McKeesport over Penn-Trafford

Central Catholic over Gateway

Upper St. Clair over North Allegheny

WPIAL CLASS AAA

Thomas Jefferson over Highlands

West Allegheny over Indiana

Central Valley over Mars

WPIAL CLASS AA

South Fayette over Seton-LaSalle

Beaver Falls over Yough

Aliquippa over Quaker Valley

WPIAL CLASS A

Sto-Rox over Apollo-Ridge

Clairton over Fort Cherry

Avonworth over North Catholic

Tags: Beaver, Franklin Regional, West Mifflin, Woodland Hills