Chicks Picks – Week 4 – 2010

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 23, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Welcome to Week 4 of the high school football season. Chick's Picks made an appearance at MSA Sports World Headquarters last Friday for the first time this season. Much to her surprise, however, she was not missed over the first two weeks. The control center was functioning smoothly–nearly perfect–causing Chick's Picks to feel unnecessary.

This week, Chick's Picks went on a mission to find new work in the WPIAL; work where she would be of more value than at MSA Sports World Headquarters on Friday nights. Chick's Picks thought of finding a team that may be struggling with their kicking game and asking to try out for the position. After only turning 30 this past summer, surely, she could still pass for a high school student.

So, Chick's Picks put together a highlight video from her childhood soccer days and posted it on her Facebook page, advertising her kicking services to any WPIAL team needing to fill the position. Sitting by her phone, Chick's Picks hoped for a call from Avonworth so that she could officially be an Antelope–her favorite WPIAL mascot.

The Antelopes did not call, though. In fact, no one called. Looks like it is back to World Headquarters–with a severely damaged ego–once again this Friday night for Chick's Picks.

Finishing last week with a 48-20 (71%) record, Chick's Picks brought her season total to 140-64 (69%). Here are this week's big games:

CLASS AAAA

#1 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (3-0) at #6 Woodland Hills (1-2)

The Wolvarena will be a-rockin' Friday night in this non-conference showdown of Top 10 teams. Last week, Pittsburgh Central Catholic walloped Bethel Park, 48-14. Woodland Hills, on the other hand, got its first win of the season, 21-0, over Plum. After being named a preseason favorite for WPIAL gold, the Wolverines stumbled–in Week 1 against Manatee (FL), and in Week 2 against North Hills–without Lafayette Pitts, who was sidelined with a knee injury. The Vikings have rolled through their first three games, outscoring opponents 107-23. These two had a chance to preview each other in Week 1 during the Rally at the Wolvarena. Chick's Picks is sure the Wolverines will be much more impressive this time around.
Woodland Hills over Pittsburgh Central Catholic.

CLASS AAA

#5 Greensburg Salem (3-0) at #10 Ringgold (3-0)

The Golden Lions head to Monongahela Friday night to face Keystone Conference foe Ringgold in a battle of undefeated. Greensburg Salem continued to roll last week, knocking off Uniontown, 35-20, after kicking off the season with back-to-back wins over Quad-A Hempfield and Connellsville. Ringgold broke into the Top 10 this week after a 36-21 win over WPIAL newcomer Hollidaysburg. Expect a big running game on both sides in this one. The Golden Lions' Michael Kizzie racked up 241 yards and three touchdowns against Uniontown last week. The backfield of the Rams rallied for nearly 500 yards in their victory over Hollidaysburg. Chick's Picks likes the improvement the Rams have shown already this season, but it will not be enough to stop the Golden Lions.
Greensburg Salem over Ringgold.

CLASS AA

#5 Beaver (3-0) at #9 Ellwood City (3-0)

The upstart Wolverines host the Bobcats in Midwestern Conference action Friday night. Beaver is coming off of a 35-3 romp over New Brighton, while Ellwood City upset then #5-ranked Mount Pleasant, 35-0. The Bobcats and the Wolverines will be on a level offensive playing field in this one, with each averaging around 40 points per game in their first three games. Undoubtedly the biggest surprise in Class AA so far this season, the Wolverines, however, have allowed only 15 points. Beaver has allowed 40, including 14 against a New Brighton squad that Ellwood City held to just three. Chick's Picks knows that the Wolverines have already made a name for themselves, but they could really put themselves on the map with a win over the Bobcats.
Ellwood City over Beaver.

CLASS A

#6 North Catholic (2-1) at #10 Riverview (3-0)

Oakmont will serve as the sight for this Eastern Conference matchup at high noon Saturday. The Raiders will try to maintain their perfect record after knocking off California, 27-12. North Catholic routed Leechburg, 49-30. The Trojans struggled early this season, dropping a Week 1 game to Springdale, 20-6. The Raiders will be the first challenge for the Trojans since then. When these two met last season, North Catholic shut out Riverview, 21-0, in the midst of a four-game losing streak that ended the season for the Raiders. Since these two first met in Eastern Conference play in 2008, Riverview has yet to win or even score a point against North Catholic, as the Trojans have outscored the Raiders 41-0 in the two meetings.
Chick's Picks thinks that stat could change this Saturday.
Riverview over North Catholic.

CLASS AAAA

Big East Conference

Altoona over Kisi Area

Penn Hills over Plum

Foothills Conference

Latrobe over Connellsville

Norwin over Hempfield

Gateway over Penn-Trafford

Northern Seven Conference

North Allegheny over Erie McDowell

Pine-Richland over Butler

North Hills over Shaler