Chick’s Picks reaches out to The Boss for advice on Week 12 predictions

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 15, 2018 | 4:48 PM

Welcome to Week 12 of the high school football season.

After struggling with last week’s predictions, Chick’s Picks decided to call a meeting with The Boss in hopes of salvaging her stellar overall season record. The Boss reluctantly agreed, and the two met for lunch.

Chick’s Picks did not want to outwardly admit she needed help, especially from The Boss. So, they dined, recapped the season, and chatted about life, liberty, and the pursuit of WPIAL championships.

Beginning to let her guard down, Chick’s Picks decided to be honest with The Boss. She confessed her recent struggles with her crystal ball. The prized prognosticator even admitted she was concerned about this week’s predictions, as championships and semifinals in the same week can negatively affect her crystal ball’s motherboard.

Since The Boss seemed compassionate to her worries, Chick’s Picks decided to go for it. She casually asked The Boss who his winners would be.

That smirk she knew all too well appeared on The Boss’s face as he replied, “Nice try Chick’s Picks. I don’t make predictions. That’s your job, not mine.”

Chick’s Picks left lunch with a full stomach and an empty crystal ball, all thanks to The Boss.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a disappointing 9-7record (56 percent), bringing her season total to 519-147 (78 percent). Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS 6A

No. 2 Pine-Richland (9-2) vs. No. 5 Seneca Valley (9-3)

Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley take the stage in the Championship Saturday finale at Heinz Field. The Rams knocked off Mt. Lebanon in last week’s semifinals, 46-16. The Raiders pulled off their second straight upset, taking down top-ranked North Allegheny, 34-14. One week earlier in the quarterfinal round, the Raiders upset No. 4 Central Catholic, 15-14. Last season, Pine-Richland took home WPIAL and PIAA gold, while Seneca Valley fell short of the postseason. The Rams are seeking their fourth WPIAL title, as the Raiders look to bring home their first. Pine-Richland quarterback Cole Spencer is approaching 1,200 passing yards. Luke Meckler has rushed for 1,138 yards and 18 touchdowns. Seneca Valley is led by Gabe Lawson, who has thrown for 1,169 yards and 11 scores. The Rams are averaging two touchdowns more per game than the Raiders; though, Seneca Valley’s defense is allowing less than 10 points per game. When these two met in conference play in Week 8, the Rams came away with a 21-7 victory. Chick’s Picks predicts a closer contest thanks to a much-improved Raiders squad, but still the same outcome. … Pine-Richland over Seneca Valley.

CLASS 5A

No. 5 West Allegheny (9-2) vs. No. 1 Gateway (12-0)

West Allegheny takes on top-ranked Gateway in Class 5A semifinal action at West Mifflin Friday night. Last week, the Indians narrowly escaped Woodland Hills in the quarterfinals, 14-13, while the Gators blanked Franklin Regional, 35-0. West Allegheny’s balanced offensive attack is led by 1,000-yard passer Kam Kruze. Dante and Nico Flati have combined for more than 1,100 rushing yards. Gateway boasts the highest scoring offense of any remaining playoff team, posting 593 points this season. Quarterback Brendan Majocha has thrown for 2,179 yards and 33 touchdowns, and rushed for another 807 yards and nine scores. Derrick Davis has racked up 1,205 yards on the ground, along with 22 touchdowns. The Gators have been even more impressive defensively, allowing only 4.2 points per game. Chick’s Picks predicts that coach Bob Palko’s extraordinary coaching career will come to an end in this one. .. Gateway over West Allegheny.

CLASS 4A

No. 2 South Fayette (11-1) vs. No. 1 Thomas Jefferson (11-0)

Class 4A’s top two seeds battle for WPIAL gold in the third game of Saturday’s quadrupleheader at Heinz Field. South Fayette’s road to the title game included wins over Greensburg Salem, 42-6, and Belle Vernon, 28-10. Thomas Jefferson routed New Castle, 49-16, before rolling over Blackhawk, 47-7, in last week’s semifinals. Last season, the Lions fell to Montour in the semifinals. The Jaguars knocked off Montour for their third consecutive WPIAL title. South Fayette has claimed WPIAL gold five times, with the most recent coming in 2014. Thomas Jefferson owns eight WPIAL championships. Lions’ quarterback Jamie Diven ranks among the best in the WPIAL with 2,767 passing yards and 41 touchdowns so far this season. Diven’s favorite target has been 1,000-yard receiver Mike Trimbur. The Jaguars have gotten it done in the air and on the ground. Quarterback Shane Stump has thrown for 1,668 yards and 24 scores. Dan Deabner has been on the receiving end of 1,219 yards and 21 touchdowns. Max Shaw has rushed for 1,759 yards and 32 touchdowns. South Fayette is allowing only 10 points per game, while TJ has allowed only 9 per contest. The Jaguars’ offense is posting 50 points per game — 10 points more per game than the Lions. Chick’s Picks predicts the Jaguars will make it four in a row. … Thomas Jefferson over South Fayette.

CLASS 3A

No. 2 Derry (11-1) vs. No. 1 Aliquippa (11-1)

The Trojans take on the Quips for WPIAL Class 3A gold in the second game of Championship Saturday at Heinz Field. Derry advanced to the title game with a quarterfinal rout of Central Valley, 46-0, and a semifinal victory over North Catholic, 36-29. Aliquippa, on its highway to Heinz, knocked off Freeport, 40-17, and Beaver Falls, 42-14. Justin Flack has rushed for 1,240 yards for the Trojans, and found paydirt 35 times this season — making him one of the leading scorers in the WPIAL. Quips’ quarterback Eli Kosanovich has thrown for 2,471 yards and 31 touchdowns. Kosanovich has found his favorite target, William Gipson, for 1,329 yards and 15 scores. The Quips also boast a solid backfield, led by Avante McKenzie’s 1,396 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. Aliquippa’s defense is holding opponents to 6.5 points per game — half that of Derry. Last season, the Quips fell to Quaker Valley in the WPIAL title game. The Trojans were eliminated by that same Quaker Valley squad in the quarterfinals. Derry is seeking its first WPIAL title. Aliquippa owns 16 WPIAL championships — more than any other team. Chick’s Picks predicts No. 17 for the Quips. … Aliquippa over Derry.

CLASS 2A

No. 7 Freedom (11-1) vs. No. 3 Steel Valley (10-1)

Freedom faces Steel Valley in a Class 2A semifinal at Montour Friday night. In last week’s quarterfinals, the Bulldogs upset No. 2 Burgettstown, 7-6, while the Ironmen rolled over Washington, 39-7. Freedom quarterback Zack Rosa has passed for 1,208 yards and 20 scores so far this season. Jake Pail has been Rosa’s favorite target, racking up a team-high 388 receiving yards, 983 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns. Steel Valley’s 1,000-yard passer, Ronnell Lawrence, captains an offense that also boasts a strong backfield. Kam Williams and Todd Hill have combined for 3,252 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns this season alone. The Ironmen are averaging 45 points per game. The Bulldogs’ defense has been solid, allowing only 108 points in 12 games. Chick’s Picks predicts the Bulldogs will run out of their upset magic this week. … Steel Valley over Freedom.

CLASS A

No. 5 Rochester (11-1) vs. No. 3 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (11-1)

The Rams and the Chargers kick off Championship Saturday in a battle for Class A gold. On the highway to Heinz Field, Rochester knocked off West Greene in the quarterfinals, 52-14, before upsetting top-ranked Jeannette in the semifinals, 27-0. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart crushed Imani Christian, 60-6, then upset Clairton, 27-7. The Rams’ only loss this season came to the Chargers, 37-8, in Big Seven Conference play in Week 3. The Chargers’ only loss this season came to Jeannette. Rochester’s Noah Whiteleather ranks among the best in the WPIAL with 1,913 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. OLSH’s Tyler Bradley, the WPIAL’s top passer, has thrown for 3,059 yards and 42 touchdowns. The Chargers have been impressive on defense, as well, allowing only 6.8 points per game. The Rams are veterans to WPIAL gold, seeking their ninth championship. The Chargers are looking to claim their first title. Chick’s Picks predicts a new team will be entered in the WPIAL Class A history books. … Our Lady of the Sacred Heart over Rochester.

In other Week 12 games:

CLASS 5A

Penn Hills over Peters Township

CLASS 2A

Charleroi over South Side

Tags: Aliquippa, Charleroi, Derry Area, Freedom, Gateway, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn Hills, Peters Township, Pine-Richland, Rochester, Seneca Valley, South Fayette, South Side, Steel Valley, Thomas Jefferson, West Allegheny