Chicks Picks – Week One – 2012

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 30, 2012 | 5:15 PM

Welcome to Week 1 of the high school football season. The offseason passed by rather quickly for Chick’s Picks. Shortly after last season’s championship games, she began training to run her first 5K. This, after rehabbing from ankle surgery, Chick’s Picks thought would be a lofty goal to set for herself.

That chilly March morning arrived, and accomplish that goal she did. It certainly was not pretty, but nonetheless, Chick’s Picks crossed the finish line. Now nearing her fifth 5K this weekend, she approaches each race with the same mentality—crossing the finish line is the most important part.

Chick’s Picks has decided to adopt that same mindset when it comes to prognosticating this season. Her picks may not always be pretty, but crossing the finish line at the end of the season as the best prognosticator in the business is all that matters.

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!

Last season, Chick’s Picks finished with a 549-130 (81%) record. Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#4 Woodland Hills (6-4) at #3 Upper St. Clair (11-2)

The Panthers will play host in a monster Southeastern conference season opener Friday night when the Wolverines come to town. Although both teams have been hit hard by graduation, big things are expected this season. Upper St. Clair will replace QB Dakota Conwell with Pete Coughlin, who gained valuable experience in last year’s postseason when Conwell was injured. This matchup also features two of the most successful coaches in the WPIAL. USC’s Jim Render tops the list with 354 wins in his 44 years of coaching. George Novak of Woodland Hills comes in third with 258 wins in 35 seasons. These two last met in the 2005 WPIAL quarterfinals, with the Wolverines advancing after a 28-15 win. Chick’s Picks likes the home team this time around.
Upper St. Clair over Woodland Hills.

CLASS AAA
#8 Blackhawk (5-4) at #5 West Allegheny (5-5)

The Cougars and the Indians open conference play in Imperial Friday night. Blackhawk is looking to rebound this season after falling short of last year’s playoffs with a (3-4) record in the daunting Parkway Conference—ranked as one of the Top 15 conferences in the nation by ESPN. West Allegheny edged its way into the postseason last year, but fell to Knoch in the first round, 28-7. All eyes will be on Cougars QB Chandler Kincade this season. The 6’5”junior was offered a scholarship by Pitt last season as just a sophomore. The Indians will once again rely heavily on the running game, particularly junior RB Tory Delmonico. West Allegheny edged Blackhawk last season, 19-7. Chick’s Picks predicts a repeat performance by the Indians this season.
West Allegheny over Blackhawk.

CLASS AA
#5 Washington (8-3) at Greensburg Central Catholic (10-2)

Washington will make its Interstate Conference debut at Greensburg Central Catholic Friday night as the Centurions take the field for the first time in 17 years without Coach Muzzy Colosimo at the helm. The Little Prexies will present no easy task for the Centurions, with RB Shai McKenzi, who rushed for 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, and RB Josh Wise, a 3-year starter. GCC will need Zach Guiser, and Akron recruit, to step up in the backfield after last year’s leading rusher, Jordan McCrae, transferred to Connellsville. Washington returns seven starters from last season’s squad that finished second in the Century Conference. GCC was the Interstate Conference runner-up, and brings back six starters from that team. The Little Prexies and Centurions both fell to Aliquippa in last year’s playoffs. Chick’s Picks thinks the Little Prexies will make their presence known in their new conference Friday night.
Washington over Greensburg Central Catholic.

CLASS A
#3 Rochester (10-2) at #7 Avonworth (9-2)

The Antelopes jump right into stiff competition as they host the perennial power Rams Friday night. Rochester presents no easy task to Avonworth, which lost 19 players to graduation. The Rams are at the opposite end of the spectrum, returning 14 starters from last year’s (10-2) squad, including QB Ben Richko and RB Preston Johnson. The Antelopes will have revenge on the brain, since the Rams were responsible for ending their season, 26-22, in last year’s quarterfinals. Rochester advanced to the semifinals before falling to eventual champ Clairton, 43-7. Chick’s Picks thinks the Antelopes will still dominate their Eastern Conference competition, who were also plagued by graduation, but not so much against the Rams.
Rochester over Avonworth.

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference:

Connellsville over Kiski Area

McKeesport over Hempfield

Gateway over Latrobe

Altoona over Norwin

Northern Eight Conference

Seneca Valley over Butler

Pittsburgh Central Catholic over Shaler

Pine-Richland over Fox Chapel

Southeastern Conference

Baldwin over Peters Township