Chicks Picks – Week Two – 2012

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 6, 2012 | 11:02 AM

Welcome to Week 2 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks dreads making her predictions the first few weeks of the season. Her crystal ball is usually still a bit cloudy from the off-season, making it difficult to foresee accurate picks. The boss does not want to hear about a lackluster performance from the crystal ball, however, so the pressure is on from Day 1.

Then, along came a not-so-friendly message to Chick’s Picks from a rather overly confident fan, which only made matters worse for the resident prognosticator. Chick’s Picks is used to being heckled by fans, and has, for the most part, grown a thick skin to it. This particular fan, however, presented an unprecedented challenge to her, with plenty on the line to the loser.

The fan, who shall remain anonymous, threw down the gauntlet, confident that his picks could outlast those of Chick’s Picks throughout the season. Never one to back down from a challenge, especially from an amateur, Chick’s Picks agreed to the terms of the deal, confident in her decade-plus prognosticating abilities. The winner will walk away with more than just bragging rights, though, as the loser must bake Chick’s Picks’ famous football sugar cookies—which will be presented at Heinz Field during the WPIAL Championships.

After a (53-14) 79% start last week, Chick’s Picks is confident that she will not be the one doing the baking this time.

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!

Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#6 North Hills (1-0) at #4 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (1-0)

The Indians and the Vikings will meet for the first time as members of the newly configured Northern Eight Conference Friday night at Carnegie Mellon University. North Hills opened the season last week with a 28-14 win over Penn-Trafford, while Central Catholic routed Shaler, 35-0. Two players on both sides contributed multiple touchdowns last week. Jordan Blackmon and Tyler Reddick chipped in two apiece for the Indians. Todd Coles and Devin Faloon each found paydirt twice for the Vikings. Aside from Coles and Faloon, however, North Hills will also have its hands full with Central Catholic RB Luigi Lista-Brinza, a 5’10”junior, who picked up 136 rushing yards in last week’s win. Chick’s Picks knows the Indians are much improved since last year’s (4-6) squad that fell short of the post season, but they are not quite to the caliber of the Vikings yet.
Central Catholic over North Hills.

CLASS AAA
#3 Montour (1-0) at #1 Central Valley (1-0)

These two familiar Parkway Conference foes will add another chapter to their already storied rivalry Thursday night. Montour is coming off a 34-8 thumping of Hopewell. Central Valley topped New Castle, 21-7. The Spartans will continue their three-man rotation at the QB spot, between senior Ryan Mihelcic, and juniors Tyneen Greer and Max Rosinsky. WR Devin Wilson will be a key target, after pulling in five receptions for a WPIAL-leading 180 yards last week. The Warriors have a WR weapon of their own in Robert Foster, who happens to be rated as one of the best in the country. These two met twice last season. During regular season play, Central Valley took home a 27-16 win at Montour on October 7. Montour got its revenge at Ambridge in the semifinals, punching its ticket to the WPIAL title game with a 21-14 win. Chick’s Picks likes the Warriors to take one back this week.
Central Valley over Montour.

CLASS AA
#7 Freeport (1-0) at Ford City (0-1)

The Sabers will likely have their hands full when they host the Yellowjackets in Allegheny Conference play Friday night. Last week, Freeport edged Kittanning, 32-21, while Ford City fell to Shady Side Academy, 27-6. The Yellowjackets’ running game was impressive against Kittanning, with two players picking up triple-digit rushing yards. QB Brendan Lynch, a 5’11”senior, gained 101 yards on the ground. RB Damon Smith, a 5’10”senior, ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The Sabers struggled offensively, failing to score until the fourth quarter. When these two met last season, the Yellowjackets topped the Sabers, 28-3. Chick’s Picks expects a similar result this time around.
Freeport over Ford City.

CLASS A
#8 Monessen (1-0) at #4 Brentwood (1-0)

Monessen will face a huge test traveling to Brentwood Friday night. This marks the first Black Hills Conference meeting between the two, since the Greyhounds were members of the Tri-County South Conference last season. Last week, Monessen opened the season with a 41-13 win over California, while Monessen blanked Serra Catholic, 48-0. Spartans junior RB Justin Vickless will look to pick up where he left off last week after rushing for 140 yards and four touchdowns. The Greyhounds will counter with an offensive threat of their own in QB Chavas Rawlins. The 6’3”senior, a West Virginia recruit, rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 144 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air. Although the rankings do not reflect it, Chick’s Picks thinks Rawlins is good enough to lead the Greyhounds to an early season upset.
Monessen over Brentwood.

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference

Gateway over Connellsville

Altoona over Kiski Area

Hempfield over Latrobe

Penn-Trafford over Norwin

Northern Eight Conference

North Allegheny over Fox Chapel

Seneca Valley over Pine-Richland

Shaler over Butler

Southeastern Conference

Mount Lebanon over Bethel Park