Sports
CTK 2013 – WPIAL Double-A Midwestern Conference Preview
August 19, 2013
The Aliquippa Quips continued their dominance of Class AA with another WPIAL championship in 2012. The win was the fifteenth title in school history and the second of back to back gold footballs for the Quips.Aliquippa is likely the favorite once again in both the Midwestern and the classification, a huge challenge could come from their old rivals, the Beaver Falls Tigers, who are also in everyone’s top 5 to start the season. Could it be another Beaver County matchup at Heinz Field in November, stay tuned to the MSA Sports Network to see.Here is a look at the Midwestern Conference.This Week on the MSA Sports Network – 08/19/2013
it is the calm before the storm as the focus for the final time this year is squarely on Frontier League baseball and auto racing as we get closer to wrapping up Countdown to Kickoff 2013 this week here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things are home at CONSOL Energy Park for three games hosting Gateway before hitting the road for a weekend set at River City, plus we have the latest news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, August 19th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.netTuesday, August 20th:Pro Baseball: Frontier League - Gateway Grizzlies vs Washington Wild Things at 7:05pm on WJPA-FM 95.3Wednesday, August 21st:CTK 2013 – WPIAL Triple-A Greater Allegheny Conference Preview
August 17, 2013
Will the Greater Allegheny be as defensive again? Last year was the first season of the “new” Greater Allegheny, where nine teams were in the conference, including a few that used to play in the old Keystone Conference. Although the conference featured some standout offensive players, it seemed defense was the cornerstone of a number of teams. Mars, Franklin Regional and Knoch gave up less than 100 points in conference games.No other conference in Class AAA had three teams give up less than 100 points in conference games.Points could be hard to come by again in 2013. The main reason is some teams lost some key offensive players (except Mars).CTK 2013 – WPIAL Triple-A Big Nine Conference Preview
August 16, 2013
The Big Nine Conference the past two years has been about the Big Two – Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin. Don’t look for things to change this year. It seems just about everyone thinks Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin will be the top teams in the conference again this season, with Thomas Jefferson holding the upper hand. Thomas Jefferson beat West Mifflin in the regular-season finale last year. Two years ago, they tied for the conference title. Thomas Jefferson has won the conference title outright nine times since 2002 and looks strong again. Elizabeth Forward made some waves last year, finishing third in the conference race. The Warriors are a team to watch again and could make some noise.CTK 2013 – WPIAL Triple-A Parkway Conference Preview
August 15, 2013
While repeats have been the story in the WPIAL in the last few years with Clairton winning five consecutive Class A titles, two straight Class AA titles for Aliquippa and three straight titles for North Allegheny in Quad A, there have been no repeat champion in Class AAA.However, a team from the Parkway Conference has claimed the last four AAA trophies, with West Allegheny as the defending champion. In fact, five of the nine coaches in the conference has won a WPIAL championship, those coaches have combined for 13 gold medals for their teams since 1991.CTK 2013 – WPIAL Quad-A Southeastern Conference Preview
August 14, 2013
Four teams finished within a game of each other at the top of the Southeastern Conference last year. It could be a great race for the title again this year.Coming into this season, many coaches inside and outside the conference are predicting strength in numbers for the Southeastern this season. Woodland Hills, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park appear to be strong this year, and Mount Lebanon could make some waves. Peters Township could be a sleeper, while Canon-McMillan, Baldwin and Plum have new coaches who want to make a mark.A year ago, Upper St. Clair and Mount Lebanon tied for the conference title while Woodland Hills and Bethel Park were only one game back. Look for much of the same this season.Here is a look at the Southeastern Conference:CTK 2013 – WPIAL Quad-A Foothills Conference Preview
August 13, 2013
The Foothills Conference is made up of nine schools who played a lot of young players in 2012. While that led to a competitive conference and some exciting football a year ago, it also led to an 1-6 record in the postseason with only conference champion Gateway picking up a postseason victory in the 2012 WPIAL football playoffs.There is an effort up and down the conference to shed that ‘weak link’ reputation the Foothills has when compared to the other Class AAAA conferences. In the 32-year history of WPIAL Quad-A football, Foothills Conference teams have captured gold only four times: Gateway in 1986, Connellsville in 1991, McKeesport in 1994 and only once since the turn of the century, when the Tigers won it again in 2005.CTK 2013 – WPIAL Quad-A Northern Eight Conference Preview
August 12, 2013
The Northern Eight Conference has gone young – at least in terms of coaching experience. Heading into this season, maybe the most interesting storyline is who is leading the teams. Jack McCurry, the third-winningest coach in WPIAL history, retired in the offseason after 35 seasons as North Hills’ coach. Pat Carey, longtime defensive coordinator for North Hills and a former Indian player, takes over. At Pine-Richland, longtime coach Clair Altemus stepped down. Offensive coordinator Eric Kasperowicz takes over. He also is a former North Hills player. Elsewhere in the conference, there are young coaches. Eric Ravotti is in his third season at Fox Chapel. Chris Siegle is in his second season at Shaler.CTK 2013 – MSA SPORTS PRESEASON ELITE ELEVEN
The leading rusher and leading passer in the WPIAL are back this season – and also lead the MSA Sports preseason Elite 11 team. The Elite 11 is a list of the top elite players in the WPIAL heading into the 2013 season. It is picked by the MSA Sports staff and players are selected regardless of position. The leading rusher returning from last year is Washington’s Shai McKenzie. The leading passer is South Fayette quarterback Brett Brumbaugh. Brumbaugh is the only junior on the preseason Elite 11. This year’s Elite 11 also includes three players (Mike Grimm, Malik Hooker and Chase Winovich) who already have made commitments to Division I colleges, as well as other players who are being heavily recruited.CTK 2013 – WPIAL/Pgh City League Week One Scrimmages
August 11, 2013
FINALLY! High school football camps throughout Pennsylvania open for business on Monday. That means teams have less than a week of practice before they hit the field for the first of two scrimmages in preparation for the season lid-lifter on Friday, August 30th and Saturday, August 31st. Scrimmage number one takes place this Saturday, August 17th on fields around Southwestern Pennsylvania. Here is a rundown of all the first week scrimmages involving WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League high school football teams.WPIAL vs Pittsburgh City League:Perry Commodores AT North Allegheny Tigers at 9:30amBrashear Bulls AT Seton-LaSalle Rebels at 10:00amCarrick Raiders AT Shady Side Academy Indians at 10:00amThis Week on the MSA Sports Network – 08/11/2013
We have plenty of baseball with both youth and pro diamond action while we also continue our Countdown to Kickoff 2013 all this week here on the MSA Sports Network. The Washington Wild Things go back and forth as they close out a short homestand, then hit the road for three games before returning over the weekend back to CONSOL Energy Field in Washington PA, which will also be hosting the conclusion of the 2013 PONY League World Series, with each game right here on the network. Plus we have the latest news from the world of auto racing with Rappin on Racin ALL here ONLY at MSAsports.netMonday, August 12th:TALK SHOW - Rappin on Racin at 6:00pm on MSAsports.net2013 PONY League World Series Game Recaps
August 10, 2013
Once again this August, every game of the 2013 edition of the PONY League Baseball World Series can be heard here on the MSA Sports Network. Here are the daily recaps from from Washington, Pennsylvania through the Semifinals on Wednesday, August 14th.WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14th:CTK 2013 – WPIAL Class A Players to Watch
August 9, 2013
Countdown to Kickoff 2013 continues with a four-day look at some of the top high school football talent in the WPIAL for this upcoming season. As always, this list just scratches the surface. We ask for your help in building a complete rundown of candidates. You can nominate a top player by clicking on the contact button at the top right of this page, then clicking Submit Scores/Schedule Corrections/Updates. Here is a look at some of the players to watch this 2013 campaign in Class A.OFFENSE:Quarterback:Lenny Williams – Sto-RoxCharles Manack - FrazierKaleb Susko - Chartiers-HoustonErnie Burkes - NeshannockRunning Back:Justin Vickless – BrentwoodCTK 2013 – Complete WPIAL & Pgh City League Saturday Football Schedule
Then there were five. There is little doubt that high school football is king on Friday nights in Western Pennsylvania. Two more schools (South Side and Shenango) who played their homes games on Saturday have moved to Friday nights in an effort to capture that special excitement. However it's not ALL about Friday nights. There are still those five WPIAL high schools that play a majority of their home games under the sun on Saturday afternoons. Here is a complete rundown of the Saturday schedule for high school football action in the WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League this season.WEEK 1: SATURDAY, AUGUST 31st:Ambridge Bridgers AT Aliquippa Quips at 7:00pmCTK 2013 – WPIAL Class AA Players to Watch
Countdown to Kickoff 2013 continues with a four-day look at some of the top high school football talent in the WPIAL for this upcoming season. As always, this list just scratches the surface. We ask for your help in building a complete rundown of candidates. You can nominate a top player by clicking on the contact button at the top right of this page, then clicking Submit Scores/Schedule Corrections/Updates. Here is a look at some of the players to watch this 2013 campaign in Class AA.OFFENSE:Quarterback:Brett Brumbaugh - South FayetteChase Keller - Greensburg Central CatholicDan Stratton - Beaver FallsRyan Gumbita - Mount PleasantTyler Donahue - YoughRunning Back:CTK 2013 – WPIAL Class AAA Players to Watch
Countdown to Kickoff 2013 continues with a four-day look at some of the top high school football talent in the WPIAL for this upcoming season. As always, this list just scratches the surface. We ask for your help in building a complete rundown of candidates. You can nominate a top player by clicking on the contact button at the top right of this page, then clicking Submit Scores/Schedule Corrections/Updates. Here is a look at some of the players to watch this 2013 campaign in Class AAA.OFFENSE:Quarterback:Chandler Kincade - BlackhawkTory Delmonico - West AlleghenyJaQuan Davidson - Elizabeth ForwardCharan Singh - Franklin RegionalNate Climo - Central ValleyXavier Ellis - UniontownCTK 2013 – WPIAL Class AAAA Players to Watch
August 8, 2013
Countdown to Kickoff 2013 continues with a four-day look at some of the top high school football talent in the WPIAL for this upcoming season. As always, this list just scratches the surface. We ask for your help in building a complete rundown of candidates. You can nominate a top player by clicking on the contact button at the top right of this page, then clicking Submit Scores/Schedule Corrections/Updates. Here is a look at some of the players to watch this 2013 campaign in Class AAAA.OFFENSE:Quarterback:J.J. Consentino - Pittsburgh Central CatholicTy George - HempfieldJade Maher - ConnellsvilleRunning Back:Luigi Lista-Brinza - Pittsburgh Central CatholicCTK 2013 – 2012 Pittsburgh City League Football Flashback
It was leaner and trimmer Pittsburgh City League in 2012 with the first year of only SIX teams taking part in District 8 football. After winning it all in their very first year of competition in 2011, University Prep made it back to the City League Championship Game for a second straight season. However the Panthers were schools by the old dominant team in City League football, the Perry Commodores, who captured their second title in three years.2012 Pittsburgh City League Football Regular Season Standings:# - Clinched at least a share of the conference title * - Clinched playoff spotPITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE:Imani Christian Football Status for 2013 in Question
August 7, 2013
Less than a week before high school football camps open up, the status of the Imani Christian football team is up in the air for the 2013 season.School officials notified the WPIAL a few weeks ago that they would not be able to field a team this season. District officials in turn told the school that since schedules had already been distributed, they should do everything they can to field a team this fall.Official word is expected on Monday, August 19th whether the Saints will fulfill their schedule.CTK 2013 – WPIAL 2012 Single-A Football Flashback
The beat continued for the Big Bad Bears in Class A. It seemed every time Clairton took the field, another record would fall after yet another victory. The Bears once put together their third straight perfect 16-0 season while winning a record fifth straight WPIAL crown as well as a fourth consecutive PIAA state championship. Clairton's state title game win was their WPIAL and PIAA record setting 63rd consecutive win and is the longest current win streak in the nation. The flip-side was West Shamokin snapping a WPIAL record 47-game losing skid with a Week 3 victory over the Riverview Raiders en route to a 3-victory season for the Wolves.2012 WPIAL Single-A Football Regular Season Standings:
