Chicks Picks – Week 10 – 2010

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 4, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season. After months on the campaign trail, Chicks Picks did not get to celebrate an Election Day victory after all. Chicks Picks committed herself to running for Head WPIAL Pigskin Prognosticator earlier this year, after much convincing from her counterparts at MSA Sports.

Chicks Picks scored a stellar Campaign Manager in The Boss, who had been exceptional in his leadership. The Boss organized campaign stops at team practices all across the WPIAL and earned endorsements for Chicks Picks from countless coaches around the district. The campaign was undoubtedly a huge success–until last week, that is.

The Boss resigned as Campaign Manager unexpectedly last Friday night. Chicks Picks was devastated to find out that she was the cause for the resignation. The Boss blamed Chicks Picks for his alma maters loss that night, declaring that she had jinxed the Langley Mustangs by picking them to defeat Allderdice.

Needless to say, there were no celebrations in the Chicks Picks camp Tuesday night; and especially no revelry over last weeks poor predicting. Chicks Picks finished last week with a disappointing 49-18 (73%) record, bringing her season total to 367-109 (77%). Here are this weeks big games:

CLASS AAAA

Erie McDowell (7-2) at Gateway (5-4)

The Gators make their ninth consecutive postseason appearance as they host the Trojans in opening round action Friday night. Gateway wrapped up regular season play with a loss to McKeesport, 28-14. Erie McDowell, advancing to the playoffs in its first year as an official member of the WPIAL, routed Altoona last week, 63-27. The Trojans finished third in the Northern Seven Conference, falling to only North Allegheny and Shaler this season. The Gators managed a second place Foothills Conference finish, despite a sluggish start to the season. These two met last season, with Gateway coming out on top, 35-17. Chicks Picks thinks the Gators WPIAL postseason resume will help them advance in this one.
Gateway over McDowell.

CLASS AAA

Hopewell (5-4) at Franklin Regional (7-2)

Hopewell will hit the road Friday night to open postseason play in Murrysville against Franklin Regional. The Vikings rallied from behind last week to upset West Allegheny, 34-31, in overtime. The Panthers, on the other hand, cruised to a convincing 42-14 win over Greensburg Salem. In what has proven to be a rebuilding year for Hopewell, RB Rushel Shell has been a glimmer of hope for the Vikings. Shell, just a junior, has already eclipsed the 6,000-yard mark on his career. Franklin Regionals defense has allowed only 130 points on the year, but will surely have its hands full slowing down Shell. These two have not met since the 2006 WPIAL quarterfinals, where the Panthers escaped with a narrow 13-6 victory. Chicks Picks thinks the momentum from the Vikings four-game winning streak will carry them through in this weeks upset special.
Hopewell over Franklin Regional.

CLASS AA

Beaver (7-2) at Deer Lakes (7-2)

Russellton, PA will be alive on Friday night as the Lancers make their first-ever WPIAL postseason appearance by hosting Beaver. Deer Lakes finished its regular season in second place in the Allegheny Conference after knocking off Shady Side Academy last week, 13-6. Beaver found itself in third place in the Midwestern Conference after a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Beaver Falls, 23-17. The Bobcats boast one of the top defenses in the WPIAL, allowing only 75 points in nine games. A weaker regular-season schedule may hurt Deer Lakes in the postseason, particularly against teams from a perennial power conference such as the Midwestern. Chicks Picks is proud of the Lancers for a history-making regular season, but fears the postseason could be short-lived.
Beaver over Deer Lakes.

CLASS A

Bishop Canevin (8-1) at Fort Cherry (5-4)

Despite finishing the regular season just above .500, Fort Cherry will host Bishop Canevin in opening round action Friday night. The Rangers toppled Chartiers-Houston last week, 48-40, and found themselves in fourth place in the Black Hills Conference. The Crusaders walloped North Catholic, 40-15, finishing in second place in the Eastern Conference. Fort Cherry will be well-prepared for the playoffs, already having faced the top two teams in regular season play. The Rangers fell to both Clairton and Rochester, by a combined score of 88-7; but were, however, the only team to score a point on the Bears throughout the final six weeks of the season. Bishop Canevins only loss this season came to Springdale in Week 5, 35-0. The Crusaders missed the postseason last year–their first year in Class A after dropping from Class AA. Chicks Picks thinks the Crusaders high-powered offense, averaging nearly 40 points per game, will roll through this one.
Bishop Canevin over Fort Cherry.

CLASS AAAA FIRST ROUND:

Perry over Schenley