Chicks Picks – Week Two – 2017

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, September 7, 2017 | 10:05 PM

Welcome to Week 2 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks is the proud owner of two beautiful boxer dogs, Ursa and Stella. Like any good dogs, Ursa and Stella really enjoy long walks with their humans. Earlier this week, Chick’s Picks packed up her trusty crystal ball and her dogs, and headed out for their regular evening stroll. Ursa and Stella were keeping an eye out for any neighborhood critters in their paths, as any loyal canines would, when a bunny caught sight of them and darted off to safety.

Ursa and Stella reacted much faster than Chick’s Picks, however, and before she knew it, the pigskin prognosticator suddenly became the walkee instead of the walker. Judging by the force with which she hit the pavement, Chick’s Picks knew her crystal ball must have sustained some damage.

Once she gathered her belongings and the dogs, Chick’s Picks headed home to evaluate her losses. Sure enough, the crystal ball was in bad shape. Chick’s Picks immediately became concerned about its ability to perform for this week’s picks. Until, that is, she reviewed last week’s predictions and saw the dismal results. Maybe a week without the crystal ball won’t be so bad after all.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 44-19 (70%) record. Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6-A
#2 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (1-1) at #4 North Allegheny (1-1)

Northern Seven Conference action heats up Friday night when North Allegheny plays host to Central Catholic. The Tigers will look to rebound after falling to Bethel Park last week, 35-15. The Vikings were blanked by Erie Cathedral Prep in Week 1, 47-0, but picked up a win last week over Shaler, 47-0. North Allegheny quarterback Luke Trueman had passed for 150 yards, and also leads the team in rushing with 143 yards. Veteran Central Catholic quarterback Troy Fisher is off to a solid start, throwing for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Chick’s Picks predicts a road win for the Vikings in this one.
Central Catholic over North Allegheny.

CLASS 5-A
#4 McKeesport (0-1) at #8 Armstrong (2-0)

The River Hawks look to maintain their perfect record when they host the Tigers in a Big East Conference matchup Friday night. McKeesport came into the season as the #1-ranked team in Class 5A, but dropped from the top spot after falling to Franklin Regional last week, 13-7. Despite the loss, the Tigers’ John Harper rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown. Armstrong knocked off Moon, 28-21. River Hawks’ quarterback Dawson Porter has been an impressive dual threat in his first two games this season, passing for 308 yards, and rushing for a team-best 376 yards. Chick’s Picks predicts the River Hawks will pull the upset in this one.
Armstrong over McKeesport.

CLASS 4-A
#3 West Mifflin (1-0) at #8 Knoch (1-0)

West Mifflin hits the road to take on Knoch in a non-conference battle between Top 10 teams Friday night. Last week, the Titans edged Trinity, 26-24, while the Knights rolled over Blackhawk, 39-13. Ivan Stapchack had five touchdowns in the win for Knoch. When these two met last season, the Titans blanked the Knights, 42-0. Chick’s Picks predicts that this year’s edition will be much closer, but with the same result.
West Mifflin over Knoch.

CLASS 3-A
#6 Mt. Pleasant (1-1) at #8 South Park (1-0)

The Vikings and the Eagles will meet at Dormont Stadium for an Interstate Conference showdown Friday night. Mount Pleasant rebounded from a Week Zero loss to Laurel Highlands with a big win over Waynesburg last week, 55-13. South Park started off its season with a 42-7 thumping of Southmoreland last week. Vikings’ quarterback Lucas Pieszak has passed for an impressive 399 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. Eagles’ quarterback Damon Smith leads his squad in rushing with 136 yards and two touchdowns. Chick’s Picks likes the Eagles with the upset in this one.
South Park over Mt. Pleasant.

CLASS 2-A
#3 East Allegheny (1-1) at #6 Brentwood (2-0)

Brentwood hosts East Allegheny in Three Rivers Conference play Friday night. The Spartans knocked off Serra Catholic last week, 33-13. The Wildcats picked up their first win of the season, 35-14, over South Allegheny after narrowly falling to Class A’s #2-ranked Jeannette Jayhawks in Week Zero, 28-26. Brentwood quarterback Michael Trent has been one of the WPIAL’s top performers so far this season, passing for 477 yards and five touchdowns. Chick’s Picks still likes the Wildcats on the road in this one.
East Allegheny over Brentwood.

CLASS 1-A
#6 Northgate (1-0) at #8 Union (2-0)

Northgate hits the road to take on Big Seven Conference rival Union Friday night. Last week, the Flames edged Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 29-28, while the Scotties routed Sto-Rox, 51-0. Northgate boasted a 100-yard passed and rusher in their win in quarterback Eric Hagan and running back Surron Adams. Union’s Tre Charles has found paydirt five times already this season. The Scotties have allowed only seven points in their first two games. Chick’s Picks always likes a stingy defense.
Union over Northgate.

CLASS 6-A

Northern Seven Conference

Pine-Richland over Seneca Valley

Southeastern Conference

Bethel Park over Peters Township

Hempfield over Mt. Lebanon

6-A Non-Conference

Altoona over Butler

Penn Hills over Canon-McMillan

Norwin over Shaler

CLASS 5-A

Allegheny Nine Conference