Chicks Picks – Week Ten – 2014

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2014 | 4:26 PM

Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks attended the wedding of a dear friend last weekend. The lavish affair featured dinner entertainment by a celebrity musician. Awestruck by his performance, Chick’s Picks was determined to find an opportunity in this intimate setting to personally applaud the star.

As guests began to mingle after dinner, Chick’s Picks spotted the celebrity packing up his equipment and headed his way. Before she could get out a formal introduction, though, the celebrity interrupted, “Wow, is that really you Chick’s Picks? You’re my idol! No one can prognosticate quite like you!”

Undoubtedly, Chick’s Picks was flattered by the star’s recognition of her and her prognosticating abilities. This proved, though, to be yet another example of how far-reaching her fame had become. Sometimes, being the best WPIAL prognosticator isn’t so bad after all.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 50-14 (78%) record, bringing her season total to 401-119 (77%). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#9 Bethel Park (6-3) at #8 Altoona (7-2)

Altoona kicks off the post season playing host to Bethel Park in first round action Friday night. The Mountain Lions are coming off of a 42-6 win over Connellsville last week. The Black Hawks edged Baldwin, 26-13. Altoona will look to its running game, behind Eli Mencer, who has rushed for 1,315 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Bethel Park has found success both in the air and on the ground. QB Levi Metheny and RB Alex Minton are both approaching the 1,000-yard mark on the year. The Black Hawks have earned the longest road trip in this week’s opening round, traveling 107 miles to Altoona. While these two parallel one another on paper, the significant distance between the two could play a huge factor. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Mountain Lions will take full advantage.
Altoona over Bethel Park.

CLASS AAA
#10 Mars (6-3) at #7 Montour (7-2)

The Fighting Planets did just that – fought their way into the postseason by upsetting previously undefeated #4 Hampton last week, 20-14. Mars will now hit the road to take on Montour Friday night. The Spartans wrapped up Parkway Conference play with a 34-6 victory over Moon. Despite losing star RB Josh Schultheis early this season, the Planets scrapped their way to a (6-3) record. Ori Rinaman filled in nicely for the injured Schultheis, rushing for 1,002 yards and 17 touchdowns. Mars has also been impressive defensively, allowing only 97 points all season. Montour boasts a standout back of its own in David Haseleu, who has rushed for 1,070 yards and 17 touchdowns. Chick’s Picks likes the Planets to carry last week’s upset momentum into the postseason.
Mars over Montour.

CLASS AA
#11 Beaver Falls (7-2) at #6 Apollo-Ridge (8-1)

Apollo-Ridge will look to become the first Allegheny Conference team to win a playoff game since 2011 when it hosts Beaver Falls in first round play Friday night. The Vikings are coming off of a lopsided 64-20 rout of Burrell last week, while the Tigers look to rebound after a 56-6 loss to Aliquippa. Apollo-Ridge flaunts a high-powered offense, averaging 46 points per game. Tre Tipton has proven he can do it all for the Vikings. The senior has racked up 467 passing yards, 297 receiving yards, 821 rushing yards, and 15 touchdowns on the year. Quarterback Duane Brown, though, is the team’s leading rusher with 1,128 yards and 26 touchdowns. Beaver Falls will counter with 1,000-yard rusher Cordell Cummings. Chick’s Picks knows the Vikings look like the favorite on paper, but thinks the strength of the Midwestern Conference still wins out.
Beaver Falls over Apollo-Ridge.

CLASS A
#9 South Side Beaver (6-3) at #8 Frazier (8-1)

Frazier earned a first round home game after finishing second in the Tri-County South Conference. The Commodores will host South Side Beaver Friday night. The Rams made their way into the postseason with a 28-6 win over Western Beaver last week, while the Commodores knocked off California, 34-12. RB Nate Block has led South Side this season, behind his 1,451 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Frazier splits time between its passing and ground games. Hunter Patterson has thrown for 873 yard and 13 touchdowns, along with Alvin Ross’s 974 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. The Commodores have been stellar on defense, as well, allowing only nine points per game—less than half that of the Rams. Chick’s Picks always leans toward the stronger defense in the postseason.
Frazier over South Side.

CLASS AAAA:

Penn-Trafford over Fox Chapel

McKeesport over Mount Lebanon

Pine-Richland over Connellsville

Central Catholic over Norwin

North Allegheny over Upper St. Clair

Woodland Hills over North Hills

Penn Hills over Plum

CLASS AAA:

Ringgold over Gateway

Thomas Jefferson over Moon

Franklin Regional over Belle Vernon