Chick’s Picks looking for a little help from her friends in Week 2

By: Chick's Picks
Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 6:48 PM

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Chick’s Picks boasts a very exclusive group of college friends. This particular group of friends shared her love of high school football, even dating back to a few decades ago. The pals would often spend their weekends attending various high school football games in the area.

Many years later, the old friends do not have as much time as they used to, and often rely on group text messages as their main form of communication. The friends frequently share their opinions on Chick’s Picks, whether they agree or disagree.

One particular pal has earned a position as a head coach of a prominent program in Texas. The others, per say, coach from the group text message.

On the rare occasion that Chick’s Picks questions the crystal ball, she often reaches out to the group for their opinions. The group members sometimes let this questioning go to their heads, offering unrealistic opinions and predictions.

While Chick’s Picks is thankful for friends so knowledgeable about high school pigskin, she has to keep in mind that she and the crystal ball are the prognosticating experts.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with an improved 47-16 (75%) record, upping her season total to 80-39 (67%). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6A

No. 3 North Allegheny Tigers (2-0) at No. 2 Central Catholic Vikings (2-0)

North Allegheny and Central Catholic clash in a battle between Quad County Conference undefeateds at Shaler on Friday night. The Tigers remained perfect with a 42-0 rout of Norwin last week. North Allegheny has boasted a balanced offensive attack with both quarterback Ben Petschke and running back Percise Colon accounting for more than 175 yards. The Vikings walked on thin ice last week, narrowly escaping Seneca Valley, 10-7. Central Catholic was virtually shut down offensively by Seneca Valley. When these two met last season, North Allegheny came away with a 27-3 victory. Chick’s Picks predicts that the Tigers will take advantage of a battered and bruised Vikings squad to claim win No. 3. … North Allegheny over Central Catholic. Mr. Picks is said to have felt particularly betrayed by this pick. Mr. Picks says, “Roll Vikes! CC 28-21 over NA!”

CLASS 5A

No. 2 Peters Township Indians (2-0) at Woodland Hills Wolverines (0-2)

The Wolverines play host to the Indians in Allegheny Conference action at the Wolvarena on Friday night. Peters Township is coming off of a 29-21 victory over Upper St. Clair last week. Quarterback Logan Pfeuffer has been impressive so far this season, throwing for 351 yards and five scores. Woodland Hills looks to rebound after falling to Bethel Park, 29-16. To make matters worse, Wolverines quarterback Rodney Stubbs left the game early in the third quarter with a possible concussion. Woodland Hills came into the season as the WPIAL’s fifth ranked team in Class 5A but have yet to find the win column in its first two games. When these two met last season, the Indians blanked the Wolverines, 20-0. Chick’s Picks predicts a similar outcome this time around. … Peters Township over Woodland Hills.

CLASS 4A

No. 2 Belle Vernon Leopards (2-0) at No. 1 Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (2-0)

The Big Eight Conference heats things up Friday night when Belle Vernon takes on Thomas Jefferson. Last week, the Leopards opened their season with a 58-0 rout of Ambridge. Belle Vernon will face a tougher test this week in TJ, which rolled over Ringgold, 48-6, in Week 1. Versatile quarterback Shane Stump captains the high-powered Jaguars’ attack. Stump has thrown for 371 yards and rushed for a team-best 154 yards. When these two met last season, TJ topped Belle Vernon, 36-14. Chick’s Picks predicts another big victory for the Jaguars in this one. … TJ over Belle Vernon.

CLASS 3A

No. 4 Central Valley Warriors (2-0) at Beaver Falls Tigers (2-0)

The Tigers host the Warriors in a Tri-County West Conference showdown Friday night. Beaver Falls knocked off South Park last week, 34-7, behind quarterback Chase Thorton’s 150 passing yards. Central Valley remained perfect with a 55-0 rout of Quaker Valley. The Warriors have found success both through the air and on the ground so far this season. Ameer Dudley has thrown for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Jaylen Guy has 245 rushing yards and two scores. The Tigers defense has allowed only seven points in its first two games. When these two met last season, Beaver Falls rolled to a 41-7 victory. Chick’s Picks predicts the Tigers for the upset special this time around. … Beaver Falls over Central Valley.

CLASS 2A

No. 5 Avonworth Antelopes (2-0) at Steel Valley Ironmen (0-1)

The Antelopes travel to Munhall to take on the Ironmen in a key Allegheny Conference matchup Friday night. Avonworth topped Valley last week, 47-14. Quarterback Park Penrod is adjusting nicely to his new role, throwing for 366 yards and six touchdowns already this season for the Antelopes. Steel Valley suffered an upset at the hands of East Allegheny, 35-0. The defending WPIAL champ Ironmen were known to have some rebuilding in store for them this season but must find a way to rebound from last week’s loss. When these two met last season, Steel Valley held off Avonworth, 31-24. Chick’s Picks predicts that the struggles will continue this week for the Ironmen. … Avonworth over Steel Valley.

CLASS A

Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers (2-0) at No. 5 West Greene Pioneers (2-0)

The Pioneers play host to the Buccaneers in a Tri-County South Conference showdown Friday night. West Greene is coming off of an 82-14 rout of Bentworth last week. Benjamin Jackson has put up big numbers for the Pioneers already this season with 419 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Chartiers-Houston blanked Jefferson-Morgan last week, 40-0. The Buccaneers boast a solid running attack, led by Nathan Cavallo and Sam DeWalt, who have combined for 267 yards so far this season. West Greene is averaging 71.5 points in its first two games. Chartiers-Houston has not allowed a point yet this season. When these two met last season, the Buccaneers fell to the Pioneers, 41-0. Chick’s Picks predicts a closer score this time around, but the same result. … West Greene over Chartiers-Houston.

CLASS 6A

Quad County Conference

Mt. Lebanon over Butler

Norwin over Hempfield

Non-Conference

Pine-Richland over Moon

CLASS 5A

Allegheny Eight Conference

Upper St. Clair over Baldwin

Bethel Park over West Allegheny

Big East Conference

Franklin Regional over Latrobe

Penn-Trafford over Connellsville

Gateway over Plum

Northern Conference

Penn Hills over Fox Chapel

North Hills over Kiski

Shaler over Hampton

Non-Conference

Chartiers Valley over Armstrong

Erie Cathedral Prep over McKeesport

Mars over Greensburg Salem

CLASS 4A

Big Eight Conference

Indiana over Ringgold

West Mifflin over Trinity

Northwest Eight Conference

Knoch over Beaver

Blackhawk over Highlands

South Fayette over New Castle

Non-Conference

Montour over Laurel Highlands

CLASS 3A

Big East Conference

Deer Lakes over Uniontown

Elizabeth Forward over Burrell

North Catholic over Freeport

Yough over Mount Pleasant

Tri-County West Conference

Aliquippa over Quaker Valley

Keystone Oaks over Hopewell

Non-Conference

Waynesburg over Ambridge

Derry over South Park

CLASS 2A

Allegheny Conference

Shady Side Academy over Valley

Interstate Conference

Brownsville over Beth-Center

Carmichaels over Southmoreland

McGuffey over Frazier

Midwestern Conference

Freedom over Riverside

Neshannock over Mohawk

New Brighton over Ellwood City

Western Beaver over Shenango

Three Rivers Conference

Burgettstown over Fort Cherry

Serra Catholic over South Side

Brentwood over Seton-LaSalle

Non-Conference

Washington over Summit Academy

Apollo-Ridge over Carlynton

East Allegheny over South Allegheny

Riverview over Charleroi

CLASS A

Big Seven Conference

OLSH over Northgate

Sto-Rox over Union

Laurel over Bishop Canevin

Eastern Conference

Clairton over Greensburg Central Catholic

Jeannette over Imani Christian

Tri-County South Conference

California over Avella

Mapletown over Jefferson-Morgan

Non-Conference

Cornell over Bentworth

Springdale over Monessen

Rochester over Leechburg

CITY LEAGUE

University Prep over Westinghouse

City League Independent

Madonna over Carrick

Non-Conference

Perry over Youngstown East (Ohio)

Albert Gallatin over Brashear

Altoona over Allderdice