Chicks Picks – Week Seven – 2014

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, October 9, 2014 | 12:43 PM

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Welcome to Week 7 of the high school football season. Part of being a successful high school football prognosticator is always knowing what your competition is up to.  While studying season statistics of those very rivals, Chick’s Picks noticed a few thing that were rather bothersome.  She decided to schedule a meeting with The Boss to air her frustrations.

“Boss, I want to start off by saying that I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me over the last 15 years.  But, this week, I noticed that my biggest rivals are spreading their wings, so to speak,” Chick’s Picks said.

The Boss replied, without looking up from his classic hunt and peck typing technique, “Chick’s, what is it that you want now?”

“Well Boss, I noticed that The Fumbler has his very own section over there on www.post-gazette.com.  And even HS Picks has become so big that he has branched off into subsidiaries such as DC Picks and The Birdie.  How is one veteran prognosticator to feel about that?”  Chick’s Picks questioned.

The Boss finally looked up from his keyboard and said, “Chick’s Picks – you really don’t get it, do you?  You are a bright shining star for high school football fans throughout the WPIAL.  Your prognosticating talent alone—and some wit—draw people to your picks.  All of this other business is nonsense, and you don’t need it.”

As hard as it was to admit, The Boss was right.  Chick’s Picks took a deep breath and smiled, refreshed. Knowing she had just gotten her groove back, Chick’s Picks packed up her crystal ball and headed home to make another set of stellar predictions.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 59-6 (91%) record, upping her season total to 297-34 (76%).  Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#5 McKeesport (5-1) at #9 Plum (4-2)

Plum plays host to Foothills Conference foe McKeesport Friday night.  The Mustangs are turning heads this season, already winning more games than their last three seasons combined.  Plum is coming off of a 34-7 victory over Connellsville, while McKeesport blanked Hopewell, 54-0.  The Tigers’ lone loss this season came to Penn-Trafford, 28-0, in Week 3.  Quarterback Will Fuhrer leads Plum with 728 yards and five touchdowns on the year.  McKeesport is led by one of the top RBs in the WPIAL in Khaleke Hudson, who has rushed for 949 yards and 16 touchdowns.  Both boast similar numbers offensively and defensively, scoring 32 points per game and allowing less than 12.  Chick’s Picks likes the Mustangs to put up a strong fight, but thinks the big-game experience of the Tigers will outlast.
McKeesport over Plum.

CLASS AAA:
Elizabeth Forward (3-3) at #6 West Mifflin (5-1)

Elizabeth Forward takes its fight for the postseason to West Mifflin Friday night in Big Nine Conference action.  The Warriors are looking to rebound after a 36-6 loss to Indiana last week, while the Titans rolled over Laurel Highlands, 48-27.  Two of the top running backs in the WPIAL will be featured in this contest.  Elizabeth Forward’s Jake Meyers ranks #7 in the WPIAL with 900 yards and 12 touchdowns.  West Mifflin’s DiAngelo Mitchell comes in at #2 with his 1,306 yards and 21 touchdowns.  When these two met last season, the Titans topped the Warriors, 40-16.  Chick’s Picks predict much of the same this time around.
West Mifflin over Elizabeth Forward.

CLASS AA:
#7 New Brighton (5-1) at #4 Washington (6-0)

The Little Prexies welcome the Lions in a non-conference showdown of postseason-caliber proportions.  Last week, Washington knocked off Charleroi, 58-21, as New Brighton defeated Freedom, 49-14.  The Lions’ only loss this season came to Aliquippa, 55-14, in Week 5.  New Brighton boasts a 700-yard passer and rusher in QB Payton Fath and RB Scott Florence.  Washington will rely on QB Jonathan Spina, who has thrown for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns.  These two reign from two fairly similar conferences, likely the top two in Class AA.  The Little Prexies have been solid on both sides of the ball this season, including a defense that allows in only 14 points per game—ten fewer than the Lions.  Chick’s knows that defense wins championships…and big non-conference games.
Washington over New Brighton.

CLASS A:
#4 Avonworth (6-0) at #1 Cardinal Weurl North Catholic (6-0)

The top-ranked Trojans host the Antelopes in a Black Hills Conference battle for sole possession of first place.  Both remained perfect last week with wins over Fort Cherry and Bishop Canevin, respectively.  Avonworth gets it done through the air and on the ground.  QB Zach Chandler has thrown for 742 yards and six touchdowns.  His favorite target is Jamal Hughley, who has 379 receiving yards, in addition to another 449 yards on the ground.  Cardinal Weurl North Catholic boasts a dynamite backfield duo in Jerome Turner and PJ Fulmore, who have combined for over 1,400 yards and 28 touchdowns so far this season.  These two met twice last season, with CWNC going 2-0.  Chick’s Picks likes the Trojans to add another to the win column.
Cardinal Weurl North Catholic over Avonworth.

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference

Altoona over Kiski Area

Norwin over Connellsville

Hempfield over Latrobe

Northern Eight Conference

Pine-Richland over Butler

Central Catholic over Seneca Valley

North Allegheny over Fox Chapel

Southeastern Conference

Peters Township over Baldwin

Penn Hills over Bethel Park

Upper St. Clair over Canon-McMillan

Class AAAA Non-Conference

Mount Lebanon over North Hills

Penn-Trafford over Shaler

Woodland Hills over West Allegheny

CLASS AAA:

Big Nine Conference

Belle Vernon over Albert Gallatin

Ringgold over Laurel Highlands

Thomas Jefferson over Uniontown

Greater Allegheny Conference

Franklin Regional over Greensburg Salem

Hampton over Hollidaysburg

Indiana over Gateway

Mars over Knoch

Parkway Conference

Central Valley over Chartiers Valley

Moon over Hopewell

Montour over Blackhawk

Ambridge over New Castle

Class AAA Non-Conference

Trinity over Yough

CLASS AA:

Allegheny Conference

Highlands over Burrell

Ford City over Deer Lakes

Apollo-Ridge over Freeport

Kittanning over Valley

Shady Side Academy over West Shamokin

Century Conference

South Park over Carlynton

Steel Valley over Keystone Oaks

Seton-LaSalle over Quaker Valley

East Allegheny over South Allegheny

South Fayette over Sto-Rox

Interstate Conference

Mount Pleasant over Charleroi

Derry Area over Brownsville

Waynesburg over Southmoreland

McGuffey over Burgettstown

Midwestern Conference

Aliquippa over Freedom

Ellwood City over Mohawk

Beaver Falls over Summit Academy

Beaver over Laurel

CLASS A:

Big Seven Conference

Neshannock over Rochester

South Side over Riverside

Shenango over Vincentian Academy

Black Hills Conference

Bishop Canevin over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Chartiers-Houston over Brentwood

Eastern Conference

Clairton over Serra Catholic

Jeannette over Monessen

Greensburg Central Catholic over Wilkinsburg

Riverview over Leechburg

Tri-County South Conference

Beth-Center over Avella

Mapletown over Bentworth

West Greene over California

Frazier over Carmichaels

Class A Non-Conference

Fort Cherry over Union

Springdale over Jefferson-Morgan

Northgate over Western Beaver

CITY LEAGUE

Allderdice over University Prep

Westinghouse over Perry

Brashear over Carrick

Tags: Avonworth, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Elizabeth Forward, McKeesport, North Catholic, Washington, West Mifflin