Chicks Picks – Week Three – 2017

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 15, 2017 | 1:49 AM

Welcome to Week 3 of the high school football season. When Chick’s Picks received a call from The Boss late last week, her first thought was – Uh oh! The Boss never summons her this early in the season, unless there is a problem. Chick’s Picks packed up her trusty crystal ball and headed to MSA Sports World Headquarters.

The Boss was overly cordial with his network prognosticator, which made her even more nervous. After getting some small talk out of the way, The Boss got down to business.

“Chick’s Picks, you’re probably wondering why I called you here. It’s not to congratulate you on your not-so-award-winning performance in Week 1, that’s for sure. In fact, your predictions were so bad, I decided you might need a little break to clear your head. So, I’ve decided to provide you with a front row ticket to the Steelers game in Cleveland on Sunday.”

Chick’s Picks was confused by the generous offer based on her poor performance. Nonetheless, she surely would not pass up an opportunity to cheer on her favorite NFL team. Chick’s Picks thanked The Boss and went on her way.

As she arrived at the stadium on Sunday, Chick’s Picks could barely contain her excitement. That is, until she found her seat. The Boss, in his abundant generosity, had purchased her a seat right in the middle of The Dawg Pound – the east end zone section packed with the most die-hard Browns fans. And there she was, sticking out like a sore thumb in her black and gold among a sea of brown and orange.

A few moments later, Chick’s Picks received a text message from The Boss: Chick’s Picks – let this be a lesson learned. Focus a little more on your predictions and you may not find yourself in the Dawg Pound anymore! Thanks for the reminder, Boss.

Fortunately, Chick’s Picks finished last week with an improved 50-14 (78%) record, upping her season total to 94-33 (74%). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6-A
#5 Penn Hills (3-0) at #1 Pine-Richland (3-0)

The top-ranked Rams play host to the Indians in Northern Seven Conference action Friday night. Both Pine-Richland and Penn Hills come into this week’s contest with perfect (3-0) records. The Rams are coming off 42-7 rout of Seneca Valley last week, while the Indians rolled over Canon-McMillan, 33-17. This matchup will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the WPIAL. Pine-Richland’s Phil Jurkovec has passed for 957 yards already this season – a WPIAL best. Penn Hills quarterback Hollis Mathis has thrown for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. The Rams are averaging more than 45 points per game. Chick’s Picks predicts a victory for the home squad in this one.
Pine-Richland over Penn Hills.

CLASS 5-A
#5 Penn-Trafford (3-0) at #8 Woodland Hills (1-2)

Penn-Trafford heads to the Wolverena to take on Woodland Hills in a non-conference showdown Friday night. Last week, the Warriors blanked Plum, 48-0, while the Wolverines fell to Fox Chapel, 22-21. Woodland Hills also dropped a game to Gateway earlier this season, 35-23. Penn-Trafford quarterback Cam Laffoon has passed for 382 yards and rushed for another 183 so far this season. Woodland Hills boasts a backfield duo of Jayquan Smith and Rodney Dennard, who have combined for seven touchdowns. The Warriors have outscored opponents 99-7 in their first three games. Chick’s picks predicts win number four for the Warriors.
Penn-Trafford over Woodland Hills.

CLASS 4-A
#7 Mars (2-1) at #4 Montour (2-0)

The Spartans host the Planets in a battle between Northwest Nine Conference rivals Friday night. Montour is coming off of a 51-14 rout of Indiana last week. Mars shutout Blackhawk, 32-0. The Spartans are averaging nearly 47 points per game by way of air and on the ground this season. Quarterback Kavon Morman has thrown for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Brayden Jones has picked up 265 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Planets are only averaging 22 points per game, while allowing nearly 15. Chick’s Picks likes the home team in this one.
Montour over Mars.

CLASS 3-A
#4 Beaver (2-1) at #8 Quaker Valley (3-0)

The undefeated Quakers play host to the Bobcats in Beaver Valley Conference play Friday night. Quaker Valley remained perfect with a 43-6 victory over Neshannock last week, while Beaver fell to Aliquippa, 30-10. Quakers’ quarterback Ricky Guss has thrown for 499 yards and also rushed for a team-best 349 yards so far this season. The Bobcats are averaging 40.3 points per game, while the Quakers are posting 50 points per contest on the year. Chick’s Picks predicts the Bobcats with the upset in this one.
Beaver over Quaker Valley.

CLASS 2-A:
#9 Brentwood (2-1) at #6 Freedom (2-1)

Brentwood and Freedom face off in a Class 2A non-conference showdown Friday night. Last week, the Spartans fell to East Allegheny, 33-19, while the Bulldogs rolled over New Brighton, 28-7. Brentwood quarterback Michael Trent has thrown for 687 yards and five touchdowns on the year. Trent’s favorite target has been Austin Veatch, who has 401 receiving yards. Freedom running back Kyle Borgman has rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs have been outscored by opponents, 35-52, so far this season. Chick’s Picks likes the Spartans to rebound in this one.
Brentwood over Freedom.

CLASS 1-A:
#5 California (3-0) at #4 Imani Christian (3-0)

The Trojans hit the road to take on the Saints in a non-conference battle between Top 10 teams. California remained perfect last week with a 86-13 rout of Avella, while Imani Christian rolled over Riverview, 66-6. Running back Jelani Stafford has found paydirt nine times in three games for the Trojans. Saints quarterback Tawan Wesley has passed for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. California has outscored opponents 202-19 so far this season. Imani Christian is close behind at 186-35. Chick’s Picks likes the Saints to hand the Trojans their first loss of the season.
Imani Christian over California.

CLASS 6-A

Northern Seven Conference

Butler over Seneca Valley

North Allegheny over Shaler

Southeastern Conference

Mt. Lebanon over Canon-McMillan

Bethel Park over Norwin

Peters Township over Altoona

Non-Conference

Central Catholic over Hempfield

CLASS 5-A

Allegheny Nine Conference