Chicks Picks – Week Ten – 2013

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, October 31, 2013 | 6:12 PM

Welcome to Week 10. As yet another high school football season begins to wind down, Chick’s Picks spent some time with Team MSA Sports simply reflecting on her tenure at the network.  She shared her stories with the team, from her first day as an intern many moons ago, to her first venture in prognosticating.

One of the network’s newer members, who shall remain nameless, seemed preoccupied during the team’s storytelling session.  Unable to make sense of this reaction, Chick’s Picks said, “Young man, are we boring you with this MSA Sports history lesson?”  He responded, “Chick’s Picks, it’s just that I was only two years old when you started working here.  So, please forgive my disinterest.”

At that moment, two things happened.  First, Chick’s Picks realized that she was old.  More importantly though, Chick’s Picks felt an overwhelming sense of pride for how far the network has come—despite the youngster’s crude comments.

Last week was a record-setter for Chick’s Picks, finishing with a 58-6 (91%) record.  This upped her season total to 478-111 (81%).

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

WPIAL CLASS AAAA
#11 Penn Hills (5-4) at #6 Penn-Trafford (6-3)

The Warriors open postseason hosting the Indians Friday night.  Penn-Trafford wrapped up regular season play with a 42-14 win over Foothills Conference rival Hempfield.  Penn Hills fell short of Woodland Hills, 19-7.  The Warriors showed some inconsistencies this season, losing to Kiski Area, 34-14, but rebounded the following week with a 35-34 upset of Gateway.  Penn-Trafford is strong across the board with a 1,000-yard passer in Brett Laffoon and a 1,000-yard rusher in Devin Austin.  Penn Hills is led by do-it-all QB Billy Kisner, who has thrown for 448 yards and four touchdowns.  Kisner also leads the Indians in rushing with 1,108 yards and ten touchdowns.  Chick’s Picks likes the Indians with the upset in this one.
Penn Hills over Penn-Trafford

WPIAL CLASS AAA
#10 New Castle (7-2) at #7 Highlands (6-3)

New Castle heads to Natrona Heights to take on Highlands in first round action Friday night.  Last week, the Red Hurricane topped Hopewell, 42-21, while the Golden Rams dropped their third loss of the season to Knoch, 19-7.  New Castle’s only losses this season came to tough Parkway Conference foes Central Valley and West Allegheny.  The Red Hurricane offense is averaging 36.8 points per game, nearly ten points better than the Golden Rams.  RB Elijah Jackson leads Highlands with 1,137 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year.  Chick’s Picks knows you can rarely go wrong with the Parkway Conference in the postseason.
New Castle over Highlands

WPIAL CLASS AA
#10 Seton-LaSalle (7-2) at #7 Washington (7-2)

Washington’s playoff hopes stayed alive when the PIAA overturned a ruling that would have had the Little Prexies forfeiting wins and missing out on the postseason.  Seton-LaSalle will face Washington in what will surely be an emotional game.  The Rebels finished the regular season with a 37-21 win over South Park.  The Little Prexies blanked Waynesburg, 27-0.  RBs Malik Wells and Jordon West have filled in nicely for Washington since the loss of Shai McKenzie in Week 3.  The two have combined for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns.  Seton-LaSalle boasts one of the top QBs in Class AA in Tyler Perrone, who has passed for 1,826 yards and 19 touchdowns.  Chick’s Picks likes the Little Prexies to hold off the Rebels and advance.
Washington over Seton-LaSalle

WPIAL CLASS A
#12 Fort Cherry (9-1) at #5 Carmichaels (8-1)

The Rangers hit the road to meet the Mighty Mikes in opening round play Friday night.  Fort Cherry knocked off Chartiers-Houston last week, 33-26, while Carmichaels routed West Greene, 37-0.  The Rangers have been impressive this season, averaging nearly 43 points per game.  RB Koltan Kobrys—ranked the best in Class A—leads Fort Cherry with his 1,882 yards and 25 touchdowns.  Carmichaels is led by QB Brandon Lawless, who has thrown for 1,429 yards and 19 touchdowns.  The Mighty Mikes also boast a solid defense, allowing less than 11 points per game.  That defense will need to step up big in order to slow down the top offense in Class A.  Chick’s Picks thinks that may be too tall of a task.
Fort Cherry over Carmichaels

WPIAL CLASS AAAA

Upper St. Clair over Kiski Area

North Allegheny over Bethel Park

Woodland Hills over Pine-Richland

Seneca Valley over Hempfield

Central Catholic over Baldwin

Gateway over North Hills

McKeesport over Peters Township

WPIAL CLASS AAA

West Allegheny over Hollidaysburg

Ringgold over Indiana

Franklin Regional over Montour

West Mifflin over Moon

Thomas Jefferson over Hampton

Central Valley over Belle Vernon

Mars over Elizabeth Forward

WPIAL CLASS AA

Aliquippa over South Park

Quaker Valley over New Brighton

Mount Pleasant over Valley

Beaver over Shady Side Academy

South Fayette over Greensburg Central Catholic

Kittanning over Yough

Beaver Falls over Summit Academy

WPIAL CLASS A

Sto-Rox over Avella

Apollo-Ridge over Beth-Center

Clairton over Frazier

North Catholic over Western Beaver

Avonworth over Laurel

Monessen over West Shamokin

Neshannock over Brentwood

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

University Prep over Allderdice

Tags: Carmichaels, Fort Cherry, Highlands, Washington