Chicks Picks – WPIAL First Round

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 1, 2012 | 12:29 PM

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Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season. Chick’s Picks celebrated a career-best record last week, finishing at 56-9 (86%).  Once the boss caught a glimpse of her results, he summoned Chick’s Picks to his office for a meeting.  There, he informed his priceless prognosticator that she would be rewarded for her stellar efforts.

After 12 years as the house prognosticator, Chick’s Picks was thrilled that she was finally being recognized for her performance.  At a spectacular awards ceremony thrown by the network, the boss called Chick’s Picks to the stage for the presentation.  First, though, he demanded she give up her crystal ball. 

Confused, Chick’s Picks handed over her prized possession.  The boss, in exchange, presented her with what appeared to be a shoddy souvenir shop snowglobe, and encouraged her to shake it up.  Chick’s Picks did as she was told, only to discover the hidden treasure inside—The Fumbler’s class ring.  The boss declared that Chick’s Picks could now gaze into the snowglobe instead of her crystal ball, and chuckle knowing that she owns The Fumbler when it comes to prognosticating.

Last week’s record-setting performance upped Chick’s Picks’ season total to 422-108 (80%).  Here are this week’s predictions:

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!

CLASS AAAA
Bethel Park (6-2) at McKeesport (5-4)

Bethel Park opens the postseason in McKeesport Friday night.  The Black Hawks wrapped up the regular season with a 42-25 win over Baldwin, while the Tigers fell to Gateway, 21-6.  Freshman QB Levi Metheny leads Bethel Park with 741 passing yards and seven touchdowns.  McKeesport QB Eddie Stockett, an Akron recruit, can get it done through the air or on the ground.  Stockett has passed for over 500 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for another 600 yards and 12 touchdowns.  The Tigers are much-improved since back-to-back losses to open the season.  The Black Hawks pulled an upset over Upper St. Clair in Week 7, 24-17.  Chick’s Picks predicts another upset in the making.
Bethel Park over McKeesport.

CLASS AAA
Hopewell (4-5) at Hampton (7-2)

Hopewell heads to Hampton to face the Talbots Friday night in first round action.  Last week, the Vikings topped New Castle, 42-16.  The Talbots recorded their second loss of the season to Mars, 25-10.  Hampton’s only other loss this season came unexpectedly in Week 3 to a Greensburg-Salem team that saw only one more win all year.  Four of Hopewell’s five losses came to daunting Parkway Conference opponents.  The Vikings have been outscored by opponents 172-208, while the Talbots outlasted their opponents, 248-128.  Chick’s Picks likes the Talbots in a close contest.
Hampton over Hopewell.

CLASS AA
Greensburg Central Catholic (6-3) at Seton-LaSalle (8-1)

Greensburg Central Catholic travels to Chartiers Valley to meet Seton-LaSalle in opening round play Friday night.  The Centurions wrapped up regular season play with a loss to Jeannette, 7-6, while the Rebels defeated South Park, 19-7.  This matchup features two of the top quarterbacks in Class AA.  GCC’s Chase Keller has flown under the radar with his 1,235 yards and 15 touchdowns.  Seton-LaSalle’s Luke Brumbaugh has passed for 1,545 yards and 17 touchdowns.  Two of the Centurions three losses came by a combined three points.  The Rebels only loss of the season came to South Fayette, 51-12.  Seton-LaSalle is averaging 34 points per game—seven better than GCC.  Chick’s Picks thinks the experienced, high-powered offense of the Rebels will overcome the Centurions.
Seton-LaSalle over Greensburg Central Catholic.

CLASS A
Brentwood (6-3) at Springdale (6-3)

The Spartans and the Dynamos meet at Fox Chapel Friday night to kick off postseason play.  Last week, Brentwood routed California, 61-19.  Springdale knocked off Riverview, 28-6.  The Spartans and Dynamos each possess a running back ranking in the top 10 of the WPIAL.  Justin Vickless leads the Spartans with 1,317 yards and 18 touchdowns.  The Dynamos’ Sean Dugan has rushed for 1,637 yards and 20 touchdowns—a Class A best.  Springdale has allowed only 85 points all season.  Brentwood is averaging nearly 32 points per game.  Chick’s Picks thinks a stronger Black Hills Conference schedule will pay off for the Spartans in this one.
Brentwood over Springdale.

CLASS AAAA

Pittsburgh Central Catholic over Penn-Trafford

Gateway over Peters Township

North Allegheny over Altoona

Seneca Valley over Hempfield

Mount Lebanon over Butler

Upper St. Clair over Kiski Area

Woodland Hills over North Hills

CLASS AAA

Thomas Jefferson over Hollidaysburg

West Mifflin over Knoch

Blackhawk over Mars

Franklin Regional over Elizabeth Forward

Central Valley over Belle Vernon

West Allegheny over Ringgold

Montour over Trinity

CLASS AA

Beaver Falls over Freeport

Mount Pleasant over Burrell

South Fayette over Freedom

Washington over Shady Side Academy

Jeannette over South Allegheny

Aliquippa over Steel Valley

Beaver over Valley

CLASS A

Rochester over Avonworth

Sto-Rox over Carmichaels

Monessen over Apollo-Ridge

Clairton over Frazier

North Catholic over Bishop Canevin

Neshannock over Jefferson-Morgan

Beth-Center over Union

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

University Prep over Perry

Tags: Bethel Park, Brentwood, Greensburg C.C., Hampton, Hopewell, McKeesport