Chicks Picks – Week Three – 2014

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, September 11, 2014 | 4:21 PM

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Welcome to Week 3 of the high school football season. After a series of disappointing picks last weekend, Chick’s Picks decided that she needed seek out a bit of clarity before making this week’s predictions.  So, she headed out with her beau, pooch, and trusty crystal ball in tow, off to a scenic overlook known for its tranquilizing nature.

Upon arrival at the overlook, the beau set off with the trusty crystal ball to find an optimal zen spot, while Chick’s Picks took a short stroll with the puppy – whose name, Ursa, happens to be Latin for bear.  As they sauntered through the scenic landscapes, Chick’s Picks glanced in the beau’s general direction – alarmed by what she saw.

Shouting as quietly as she could, she called out to the beau, “There’s a bear!”  He turned back chuckling, nodding at Ursa, as if to say, “Of course there’s a bear.”

Chick’s Picks pointed and said, “No, a real bear!  There, coming out of the woods!”  The beau caught sight of the ferocious being and fled for safety.

Meeting back up with Chick’s Picks and the puppy, the trio looked on from the comfort of the car as the bear had its way with everything in sight….trash cans, picnic tables, and even her precious crystal ball.  The bear tossed the powerful pigskin prognosticating tool aside with ease.  Chick’s Picks watched with great sadness as the crystal ball shattered on the ground, along with her hopes of top-notch predictions this season.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a disappointing 45-21 (68%) record, dropping her season total to 92-30 (70%).  Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#3 Penn-Trafford (2-0) at #4 McKeesport (2-0)

McKeesport plays host to Penn-Trafford in a highly anticipated Foothills Conference showdown Friday night.  The Tigers are coming off of a come-from-behind win over Altoona last week, 33-17, while the Warriors did away with Connellsville, 45-7.  Penn-Trafford’s defense has allowed only seven points so far this season, but will have its hands full this week with Khaleki Hudson.  The Tigers’ RB has rushed for 582 yards and nine touchdowns in just two games.  These two met twice last season, splitting in the win column; including a 35-20 victory by Penn-Trafford in the WPIAL quarterfinals.  Chick’s Picks likes the Tigers at home this time around.
McKeesport over Penn-Trafford.

CLASS AAA
#7 Franklin Regional (1-1) at #9 Mars (1-1)

Franklin Regional travels to Mars to take on the Planets in Greater Allegheny Conference action Friday night.  Last week, the Planets blanked Yough, 54-0, and the Panthers topped Hollidaysburg, 33-7.  Mars suffered a devastating loss in Week 1 when RB Josh Schultheis – one of the WPIAL’s best – broke his tibia.  Since then, though, Ori Rinaman has stepped up, rushing for 201 yards and five touchdowns.  Franklin Regional’s dual-threat QB Santino Birty has 172 passing yards to go along with his 137 yards on the ground.  The Panthers won last year’s meeting, 20-13.  Chick’s Picks likes the Planets in this one.
Mars over Franklin Regional.

CLASS AA
#10 Beaver (2-0) at Beaver Falls (2-0)

Things heat up in the Midwestern Conference this week in a faceoff between perennial powers Beaver and Beaver Falls.  Both are coming off of big wins last week – Beaver 54-16 over Summit Academy and Beaver Falls 41-14 over Southmoreland.  The Bobcats boast the top offense in Class AA, averaging 53.5 points per game.  The Tigers are allowing 17.5 per game so far this season.  Beaver’s Darius Wise has 234 rushing yards, 229 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns in two games.  Last season, Beaver Falls came away with a 30-24 victory.  Chick’s Picks likes the high-powered offense of the Bobcats this season.
Beaver over Beaver Falls.

CLASS A
#4 Avonworth (2-0) at #5 Brentwood (2-0)

Avonworth and Brentwood meet in a Black Hills Conference battle of undefeateds Friday night.  The Antelopes knocked off OLSH last week, 37-21, as the Spartans edged Fort Cherry, 17-14.  Two of the WPIAL’s top quarterbacks will be featured, in Avonworth’s Zach Chandler and Brentwood’s Connor McWilliams.  Chandler has over 250 passing yards on the year, while McWilliams has thrown for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns.  Chick’s Picks likes Chandler and the Antelopes on the road in this one.
Avonworth over Brentwood.

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference

Plum over Altoona

Hempfield over Kiski Area

Latrobe over Connellsville

Northern Eight Conference

North Hills over Butler

Pine-Richland over Fox Chapel

Central Catholic over North Allegheny

Southeastern Conference

Peters Township over Canon-McMillan

Mt. Lebanon over Baldwin

Upper St. Clair over Bethel Park

Class AAAA Non-Conference

Seneca Valley over Norwin

Woodland Hills over Shaler

Penn Hills over Central Valley

CLASS AAA:

Big Nine Conference

Belle Vernon over Uniontown

Elizabeth Forward over Trinity

Thomas Jefferson over Laurel Highlands

West Mifflin over Albert Gallatin

Greater Allegheny Conference

Greensburg Salem over Hollidaysburg

Hampton over Gateway

Indiana over Yough

Parkway Conference

Ambridge over Moon

New Castle over Blackhawk

Montour over Chartiers Valley

West Allegheny over Hopewell

Class AAA Non-Conference

Knoch over Ringgold

CLASS AA:

Allegheny Conference

Burrell over Ford City

Freeport over Deer Lakes

Highlands over West Shamokin

Kittanning over Apollo-Ridge

Shady Side Academy over Valley

Century Conference

East Allegheny over Keystone Oaks

South Fayette over South Park

Steel Valley over Sto-Rox

Seton-LaSalle over Carlynton

South Allegheny over Quaker Valley

Interstate Conference

Southmoreland over Brownsville

Mount Pleasant over Burgettstown

Derry over Charleroi

Washington over Waynesburg

Midwestern Conference

Aliquippa over Ellwood City

Laurel over Freedom

New Brighton over Summit Academy

Class AA Non-Conference

McGuffey over Mohawk

CLASS A:

Big Seven Conference

Neshannock over Riverside

Shenango over Rochester

Union over Vincentian Academy

Black Hills Conference

Cardinal Weurl North Catholic over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Bishop Canevin over Northgate

Eastern Conference

Clairton over Greensburg Central Catholic

Jeannette over Leechburg

Monessen over Serra Catholic

Springdale over Wilkinsburg

Tri-County South Conference

Frazier over Bentworth

Beth-Center over California

Jefferson-Morgan over Avella

Mapletown over West Greene

Class A Non-Conference

Fort Cherry over South Side

Western Beaver over Chartiers-Houston

Carmichaels over Riverview

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE

Perry over Carrick

University Prep over Brashear

Westinghouse over Allderdice