Chicks Picks – Week Seven – 2013

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, October 10, 2013 | 1:58 PM

Welcome to Week 7. The 2013 edition of the Stretch Run is here…that time of year when the regular season is winding down, but postseason implications are heating up. Since this is a critical time of year, we at the MSA Sports Network always get together for a team-building workout to ensure our physical and mental clarity for the remainder of the season.

This year, we decided to go with our old faithful—yoga—which had proven results for Team MSA time and time again. The Boss talked up the event all week, hinting to his team that this year’s session would offer some added flair. He certainly did not disappoint.

Team MSA showed up at the studio to find fitness guru Richard Simmons ready to lead the class. The Boss, along with his pal The Fumbler, decided to honor their idol by dressing in Simmons-style garb, including leg warmers and shorts much too short for this day in age. Nonetheless, Team MSA enjoyed all of the benefits of its yearly Stretch Run exercise session, and is now fully prepared to endure the remainder of the season.

Speaking of mental clarity, Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 55-10 (85%) record, upping her season total to 316-79 (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
#7 Bethel Park (5-1) at #2 Upper St. Clair (6-0)

The Panthers will look to remain perfect Friday night when they host the Black Hawks in Southeastern Conference play. Last week, Bethel Park edged Penn Hills, 21-19, while Upper St. Clair recorded its fifth shutout of the season with a 37-0 win over Butler. The Panthers boast the top defense in the WPIAL, allowing only 10 points so far this season, and none since Week 1. The Black Hawks defense is allowing an average of 10 points per game. When these two met last season, Bethel Park came away with a 24-17 victory. Chick’s Picks thinks the tables have turned this time around.
Upper St. Clair over Bethel Park

CLASS AAA
#1 West Allegheny (6-0) at #6 New Castle (5-1)

Defending champion West Allegheny travels to New Castle for a Parkway Conference matchup Friday night. The Indians remained perfect with a 55-14 non-conference win over Steel Valley last week. The Red Hurricane snuck past Blackhawk 46-42. West Allegheny sits atop the Parkway Conference. New Castle’s only blemish this season came to Central Valley in Week 1, 29-6. The Indians are led by QB Andrew Koester’s 625 yards and seven touchdowns, and are allowing less than eight points per game. When these two last met, the Red Hurricane fell short, 14-0. Chick’s Picks expects a similar result in this edition.
West Allegheny over New Castle

CLASS AA
#4 Mount Pleasant (6-0) at #2 Washington (6-0)

Washington plays host to Mount Pleasant in a highly anticipated Interstate Conference showdown Friday night. Both the Vikings and the Little Prexies have been perfect thus far. Mount Pleasant is coming off of a big win over Jeannette last week, 35-21, while Washington easily topped Brownsville, 50-14. The Little Prexies suffered the devastating loss of RB Shai McKenzie earlier this season, but have not missed a beat. Malik Wells and Jordon West have stepped up, combining for over 600 yards and 12 touchdowns. Washington will have to contend with one of the top RBs in Class AA in Tyler Mellors, who has 860 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year. The Little Prexies won last year’s meeting, 34-14. Chick’s Picks predicts a repeat.
Washington over Mount Pleasant

CLASS A
#4 Beth-Center (6-0) at #10 Frazier (5-1)

Frazier hosts undefeated Beth-Center in Tri-County South Conference action Friday night. Last week, the Commodores topped Avella, 33-9, while the Bulldogs routed Jefferson-Morgan, 54-7. Frazier boasts one of the top QBs in Class A in Charlie Manack, who has passed for 992 yards and 14 touchdowns already this season. Beth-Center’s defense ranks first in Class A, allowing less than five points per game. The Commodores’ only loss this season came to Carmichaels, 30-22, in Week 2. The Bulldogs topped Carmichaels, 28-22, one week later. Chick’s Picks likes the Bulldogs to remain perfect in this one.
Beth-Center over Frazier

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference

Gateway over Norwin

Latrobe over Altoona

McKeesport over Connellsville

Penn-Trafford over Kiski Area

Northern Eight Conference

Central Catholic over North Allegheny

Seneca Valley over North Hills

Pine-Richland over Shaler

Southeastern Conference

Mount Lebanon over Peters Township