Chicks Picks – Week Nine – 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, October 24, 2013 | 2:16 PM

Welcome to Week 9. After nearly a decade of dominating fantasy football leagues, Chick’s Picks decided to throw her hat into fantasy hockey, hoping for at least a bit of a challenge. While her league mates spent weeks researching and preparing for the draft, Chick’s Picks sat back and chuckled, knowing her prized crystal ball was the only research she needed.

Draft day was finally here. Chick’s Picks packed up her crystal ball and headed to meet the gang at league headquarters. It was no surprise to see the gaggle of league mates in line awaiting her autograph when she arrived. Chick’s Picks is, after all, kind of a big deal around the WPIAL.

So as not to delay the start of the draft, Chick’s Picks hurried through countless autographs and rushed back to her seat. Much to her dismay, however, her crystal ball was gone. One of her unscrupulous league mates had pocketed her most prized possession in an attempt to put her out of contention for fantasy hockey gold.

Running on adrenaline and her superior sports knowledge alone, Chick’s Picks dominated the fantasy hockey draft anyway, much like she dominated last week’s picks. Chick’s Picks finished with a 52-13 (80%) record, bringing her season total to 420-105 (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:
#3 McKeesport (8-0) at #6 Gateway (7-1)
The final week of regular season play kicks off Thursday night when Gateway hosts McKeesport at Antimarino Stadium. The Gators are coming off their first loss of the season, 35-34, to Penn-Trafford. The Tigers remained perfect with a 34-12 win over Kiski. Although both have already clinched a playoff spot, a share of the conference title is still on the line. Gateway will rely on the arm of Jimmy Moore, who has thrown for more than 1,300 yards, 13 touchdowns, and no interceptions this season. McKeesport boasts one of the top defenses in Class AAAA, allowing only 82 points all year. When these two met last season, the Gators came away with a 21-6 victory. Chick’s Picks thinks defense will bring home the Foothills Conference championship in this one.
McKeesport over Gateway

CLASS AAA:
#2 Thomas Jefferson (8-0) at #3 West Mifflin (8-0)
The Big Nine Conference title is on the line in West Mifflin Friday night when the Jaguars take on the Titans. Thomas Jefferson’s defense ranks among the best in Class AAA, allowing just seven points per game. The Jaguars will face their toughest test this week in the Titans’ Jimmy Wheeler—the top RB in the WPIAL. Wheeler has rushed for 2,008 yards and 29 touchdowns on the year. Last season, TJ came out on top, 28-14. Chick’s Picks likes the Titans with the upset this time around.
West Mifflin over Thomas Jefferson

CLASS AA:
#5 Kittanning (8-0) at #4 Shady Side Academy (8-0)
Shady Side Academy will take on Kittanning for the Allegheny Conference title Friday night in Fox Chapel. While the Indians are no strangers to the WPIAL postseason, the Wildcats clinched their first home playoff game in 12 years. Kittanning QB Braydon Toy proved he could do it all this season, passing for 1,273 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushing for another 700 yards and nine touchdowns. Toy and his Wildcats will have to find a way to get it done against a top-notch Indians defense that has allowed only 65 points all season. When these two met last season, Shady Side Academy blanked Kittanning, 21-0. Chick’s Picks likes the underdog this time around.
Kittanning over Shady Side Academy

CLASS A
Chartiers-Houston (5-3) at #7 Fort Cherry (7-1)
Playoff implications are on the line in the Black Hills Conference as Fort Cherry hosts Chartiers-Houston. The Rangers continued to roll last week, topping Brockway, 59-34. The Buccaneers dropped their third loss of the season, 38-7, to Monessen. Fort Cherry’s only loss this season came to Clairton, 36-28, in Week 5. The Bucs will have their work cut out for them, facing the top offense in Class A in the Rangers. Fort Cherry is averaging 44 points per game behind RB Koltan Kobrys. Ranked second in the WPIAL, Kobrys has rushed for 1,681 yards and 21 touchdowns on the year. Chartiers-Houston can clinch a playoff berth with a win in this one and a Brentwood loss. Fort Cherry can claim a share of the conference title with a win. Last season, the Bucs got their way, 42-0, over the Rangers. Chick’s Picks thinks the tables have turned this season.
Fort Cherry over Chartiers-Houston

CLASS AAAA

Foothills Conference

Connellsville over Altoona

Hempfield over Penn-Trafford

Kiski Area over Latrobe

Northern Eight Conference

Pittsburgh Central Catholic over Butler

Seneca Valley over Fox Chapel

North Allegheny over North Hills

Southeastern Conference

Bethel Park over Baldwin

Peters Township over Canon-McMillan