Chicks Picks – Week Five – 2012

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, September 27, 2012 | 12:56 PM

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Welcome to Week 5 of the high school football season. Despite an improvement in performance last week, the boss had quite a few unpleasant words for Chick’s Picks. He, without hesitation, let Chick’s Picks know that he felt she was not living up to her prognosticating potential, as she had in years past. Admittedly a bit hurt by the boss’s harsh criticism, Chick’s Picks sought out a way to overcome this bump in the road. She took time this week to reflect on some of the most important advice she has ever received.

Chick’s Picks remembered a basketball practice once when she finally got up the nerve to ask her coach why she was the recipient of his incessant berating. Coach looked at her and simply said, “Chick’s Picks, it’s when I stop yelling at you that you should worry.” Chick’s Picks decided that her coach’s advice applies perfectly to this situation—that this must be the boss’s way of showing his belief in her prognosticating abilities.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 52-14 (79%) record, bringing her season total to 152-47 (76%). Hoping to improve the boss’s opinion of her, here are this week’s predictions:

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 or use #MSAScores!

CLASS AAAA:
#2 Gateway (4-0) at #10 Hempfield (3-1)

Gateway brings its perfect record to Hempfield Friday night in Foothills Conference play. The Gators are coming off a 42-7 win over Altoona, while the Spartans stopped Kiski, 42-21. Despite a loss to Connellsville, Hempfield is off to its best start since 1997—including a 33-18 upset of McKeesport in Week 1. That success will be tested this week, when Gateway brings its high-powered offense—the top in Class AAAA—to town. The Gators are averaging 51 points per game behind QB Thomas Woodson’s 839 yards and eight touchdowns. The Spartans suffered injuries to four key players against Kiski, including leading rusher Joey DeFloria. Since Gateway and Hempfield became conference rivals in 2008, the Gators are (4-0) and have outscored the Spartans 166-0. Chick’s Picks does not predict another shutout, but the Gators will make it five in a row.
Gateway over Hempfield.

CLASS AAA:
#7 Knoch (4-0) at #10 Hampton (3-1)

The Talbots host the Knights in a Greater Allegheny Conference matchup Friday night. Last week, Hampton upended Laurel Highlands, 34-11, while Knoch blanked Hollidaysburg, 35-0. The Talbots are led by QB Jon Nigro, who has passed for 406 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Hampton’s only loss this season came to Greensburg-Salem, 20-10—a team that Knoch defeated, 28-14. Knoch’s defense has been impressive, allowing only 28 points in its first four games. Hampton is allowing more than double that, at 14.8 points per game. RB Ben Tackett has 458 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for the Knights. When these two met last season, Knoch prevailed, 42-6. Chick’s Picks likes the Knights to stay perfect in this one.
Knoch over Hampton.

CLASS AA:
#2 Jeannette (4-0) at #5 Washington (4-0)

Washington welcomes Jeannette Friday night in a battle of undefeateds that will likely decide the Interstate Conference title. The Little Prexies are coming off a 42-12 win over Yough. The Jayhawks routed Brownsville, 60-7. This meeting will undoubtedly be the first big test that either of these teams has faced this season. Jeannette boasts one of the top offenses in Class AA, outscoring opponents 203-26. Washington has outscored its opponents 176-40. Highly touted RB Shai McKenzie, the leading rusher in the WPIAL, has 760 yards and 13 touchdowns already this season for the Little Prexies. Eleven different players have found paydirt for the Jayhawks, including Shavonta Craft and Jordan Edmunds with six touchdowns a piece. Chick’s Picks knows the home crowd will only fuel McKenzie’s ground game, but thinks big-game experience will pay off for the Jayhawks.
Jeannette over Washington.

CLASS A:
#8 Northgate (4-0) at #6 Sto-Rox (3-1)

Northgate will try to remain perfect against Sto-Rox in non-conference play Friday night. Last week, the Flames pummeled Wilkinsburg, 53-16, while the Vikings topped Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 35-14. The only loss for Sto-Rox this season came to Neshannock, 35-34, in what is being dubbed as the game of the year. Vikings QB Lenny Williams ranks third in Class A with his 669 passing yards and six touchdowns. Northgate is led by QB Cody Walter, who is tied for the 2^nd leading scorer in the WPIAL with 13 touchdowns. The Flames have also been impressive defensively, allowing only 35 points on the year. Sto-Rox is averaging 39 points per game. Chick’s Picks does not foresee the Vikings dropping a second regular season game in this one.
Sto-Rox over Northgate.