Chicks Picks – Week Eight – 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, October 17, 2013 | 11:31 AM

Welcome to Week 8. Chick’s Picks, like most other Pittsburghers, was honored to witness the success of the Pirates this season. Since she was just a baby prognosticator during the last Pirates postseason appearance, Chick’s Picks cherished every moment this time around, down to the final pitch. When the season came to an end, Chick’s Picks made it her mission to find a way to give back to the city of Pittsburgh, just as the Pirates had done.

So, she packed a bag and headed for the highway. Chick’s Picks arrived at Met Life Stadium bright and early Sunday morning, decked out in her vintage Bubby Brister jersey, with her crystal ball in tow. Yes, she had made it her mission to single-handedly turn the Steelers season around, giving Pittsburgh fans a reason to cheer again.

Chick’s Picks was thrilled to see that she had not lost her touch. Her sheer presence in the stands brought the Steelers enough luck to come away with their first win of the season. You’re welcome, Pittsburgh.

Last week, Chick’s Picks did not need any luck, finishing the week with a 52-13 (80%) record, bringing her season total to 368-92 (80%).

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

CLASS AAAA
#6 Seneca Valley (6-1) at #8 Bethel Park (5-2)

Bethel Park hosts Seneca Valley Friday night in a non-conference battle between Top 10 teams. The Black Hawks are coming off of their second loss of the season last week, 28-13 to Upper St. Clair. The Raiders knocked off North Hills, 24-17. Bethel Park boasts one of the top defenses in Class AAAA, allowing only 88 points all season. Seneca Valley is led by Class AAAA’s top arms in TJ Holl, who has thrown for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns. When these two met last season, the Raiders came away with a 35-14 victory. Chick’s Picks likes the Black Hawks this time around.
Bethel Park over Seneca Valley

CLASS AAA
#10 Montour (5-2) at #1 West Allegheny (7-0)

Montour faces a tall task when it takes on top-ranked West Allegheny in a Parkway Conference showdown Friday night. The Spartans made their way into the Top 10 this week after knocking off Blackhawk, 31-14. Despite allowing more points than in their previous four games combined, the Indians remained perfect with a 37-31 win over New Castle. Versatile Montour QB Tynen Greer has 700 passing yards and eight touchdowns to go along with his 500 rushing yards and eight more TDs. West Allegheny’s dynamic backfield duo of Chayse Dillon and Tory Delmonico have combined for over 1,200 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the year. The Spartans have been outscored by opponents this season, 171-180. Chick’s Picks likes the defending champs in this one.
West Allegheny over Montour

CLASS AA
#1 Aliquippa (7-0) at #4 Beaver Falls (7-0)

This highly anticipated battle of Midwestern Conference unbeaten takes place Friday night at Geneva College. Last week, Aliquippa blanked Ellwood City, 56-0, while Beaver Falls routed Freedom, 51-6. The Quips have breezed through the season behind the running game of Dravon Henry and Terry Swanson. The two have combined for over 1,400 yards and 27 touchdowns so far this season. Aliquippa also boasts one of the top defenses in Class AA, allowing six points per game—less than half that of Beaver Falls. The Tigers rely on the arm of Dan Stratton, who has passed for 806 yards and eight touchdowns. When these two met last season, the Quips rolled to a 66-7 victory. Chick’s Picks predicts the same result this time around.
Aliquippa over Beaver Falls

CLASS A
#1 Sto-Rox (7-0) at #10 Laurel (6-1)

Laurel hosts top-ranked Sto-Rox in Big Seven Conference play Friday night. Last week, the Spartans blanked Rochester, 42-0. Sto-Rox topped Western Beaver, 42-30, in a game that found QB Lenny Williams breaking the WPIAL passing record of 7,162 yards, previously held by South Fayette’s Christian Brumbaugh. Williams has 1,570 yards, 24 touchdowns, and no interceptions so far this season. Spartans QB Josh Dando is a threat in the air and on the ground, passing for 460 yards and five touchdowns, and rushing for 297 yards and four touchdowns. The Vikings boast the top offense in Class A, averaging nearly 49 points per game. The Spartans have one of the top defenses in the class, allowing 11.3 points per game. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Vikings will remain perfect when this one is in the books.
Sto-Rox over Laurel

WPIAL CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference

Latrobe over Connellsville

McKeesport over Kiski Area

Hempfield over Norwin

Gateway over Penn-Trafford

Northern Eight Conference

Fox Chapel over Butler

North Hills over Pine-Richland

North Allegheny over Shaler

Southeastern Conference

Baldwin over Canon-McMillan