Chicks Picks – Week Three – 2012

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, September 13, 2012 | 9:17 AM

Welcome to Week 3 of the high school football season. After a brutal first two weeks, Chick’s Picks decided that a vacation was a must before the bulk of conference play gets underway.  The Boss was less than pleased with her timing, but Chick’s Picks assured him that a trip to the beach would allow time for her to relax and come back with a clear head, ready to finish the season as the top prognosticator in the WPIAL.

Waking to see the sun reflecting beautifully off of the waves, Chick’s Picks could not get down to the beach fast enough.  She gathered her things, crystal ball in tow, and made for the shore.  Running full speed into the water, Chick’s Picks dove right in—only to feel an excruciating sting all over her right forearm just moments later.

This jellyfish lashing came as no surprise to Chick’s Picks, who admittedly has the worst luck of anyone she knows.  She would not be surprised if, in fact, The Boss was partly to blame here, sending some sort of subliminal wishes of poor weather or minor injury to his prognosticator, as penalty for vacationing mid-season.  Fighting through the pain, Chick’s Picks was still able to confidently make her predictions before the Wednesday evening deadline, not missing a beat.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a (50-17) 75% record, bringing her season total to (103-31) 77%. 

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 or use #MSAScores!

Here are this week’s big games:

CLASS AAAA
#2 Gateway (2-0) at #10 Kiski Area (2-0)

The Cavaliers host the highly touted Gators in Foothills Conference play Friday night.  Kiski Area broke into the Top 10 this week after edging Altoona last week, 7-0.  Gateway continued its roll with a 46-16 thumping of Connellsville.  Gators QB Thomas Woodson ranks fourth in the WPIAL through the first two weeks with 412 passing yards and four touchdowns.  Cavaliers QB Ricardo Carter has 242 passing yards and scored the lone touchdown in last week’s win.  Although both of these defenses have performed similarly so far, each holding opponents to less than 11 points per game, there is no match offensively.  Gateway is averaging nearly 54 points per game, while Kiski Area is just shy of 15.  Chick’s Picks knows the Cavaliers have opened some eyes already this season, but there is still a long way to go before competing with the likes of the Gators.
Gateway over Kiski Area.

CLASS AAA
#10 Belle Vernon (1-1) at Ringgold (1-1)

Belle Vernon will look to rebound after falling to West Mifflin last week, 48-14.  Ringgold recovered from a Week 1 loss to Thomas Jefferson with a 48-27 win over Laurel Highlands last week.  This Big Nine Conference matchup features a solid offense on both sides.  The Leopards will rely on sophomore QB Travis Snyder, who has 151 yards and two touchdowns on the year.  Rams RB Demetrius Louis has 355 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his first two games.  Defense will be a key for Belle Vernon and Ringgold, as each have struggled thus far, allowing more than 30 points per game.  Chick’s Picks knows this one could go either way, but likes the Leopards in a close one.
Belle Vernon over Ringgold.

CLASS AA
Steel Valley (2-0) at #3 South Fayette (2-0)

Steel Valley has been given no love in the MSA Sports Top 10 so far this season, despite outscoring its first two opponents 76-7, including a 41-0 rout of Burgettstown last week.  South Fayette also came up big, blanking Keystone Oaks, 53-0.  Lions QB Brett Brumbaugh ranks second in the WPIAL through the first two weeks with 495 passing yards and eight touchdowns.  Ironmen QB Patrick O’Malley has also been strong with 319 yards and three touchdowns.  Defenses on both sides have been top notch, with each holding opponents to less than four points per game.  When these two met last season in Century Conference play, South Fayette held on for a 23-20 victory.  Chick’s Picks likes the much-improved Ironmen in the upset this time around.
Steel Valley over South Fayette.

CLASS A
#2 Sto-Rox (2-0) at #9 Neshannock (2-0)

The Lancers host the perennial power Vikings in Big Seven Conference play.  Last week, Neshannock knocked off Laurel, 35-14, while Sto-Rox stomped South Side, 49-13.  The Lancers have been led by do-it-all QB Ernie Burkes, who has 150 passing yards and another 262 yards on the ground so far this season.  Aside from veteran QB Lenny Williams, the Vikings have looked to RB Brendan Blair, who has gained 230 rushing yards and four touchdowns.  These potent offenses are both averaging more than 43 points per game.  Last season, Sto-Rox rolled easily over Neshannock, 43-11.  Chick’s Picks knows the Lancers have shown much improvement compared to recent years, but the big-game experience of the Vikings will lead them to victory once again.
Sto-Rox over Neshannock.

CLASS AAAA:

Foothills Conference
Penn-Trafford over Altoona
Hempfield over Connellsville
McKeesport over Norwin

Northern Eight Conference
Pine-Richland over Butler
North Allegheny over Seneca Valley
North Hills over Shaler

Southeastern Conference
Woodland Hills over Bethel Park
Mount Lebanon over Plum
Upper St. Clair over Peters Township
Penn Hills over Baldwin

Non-Conference
Central Catholic over Canon-McMillan
Fox Chapel over Latrobe

CLASS AAA:

Big Nine Conference
Trinity over Albert Gallatin
Elizabeth Forward over Laurel Highlands
West Mifflin over Uniontown

Greater Allegheny Conference
Franklin Regional over Highlands
Hampton over Greensburg Salem
Knoch over Derry
Mars over Indiana

Parkway Conference
New Castle over Ambridge
Blackhawk over Hopewell
Central Valley over Chartiers Valley
West Allegheny over Moon

Non-Conference
Thomas Jefferson over Hollidaysburg
Montour over Mohawk

CLASS AA:

Allegheny Conference
Freeport over Deer Lakes
East Allegheny over Ford City
Shady Side Academy over Valley

Century Conference
South Park over Burgettstown
Seton-LaSalle over Keystone Oaks
Quaker Valley over McGuffey

Interstate Conference
Washington over Charleroi
Mount Pleasant over Southmoreland
Waynesburg over Brownsville
Jeannette over Yough

Midwestern Conference
Beaver over Freedom
Beaver Falls over Ellwood City
Aliquippa over Riverside

Non-Conference
Greensburg Central Catholic over Kittanning
New Brighton over South Allegheny

CLASS A:

Big Seven Conference
Laurel over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Rochester over Union
Shenango over South Side

Black Hills Conference
Brentwood over Imani Christian
Clairton over California
Bishop Canevin over Carlynton
Monessen over Fort Cherry
Chartiers-Houston over Serra Catholic

Eastern Conference
Avonworth over Leechburg
Northgate over North Catholic
Riverview over West Shamokin
Springdale over Wilkinsburg

Tri-County South Conference
Frazier over Bentworth
Beth-Center over Carmichaels
Avella over Mapletown
Jefferson-Morgan over West Greene

Non-Conference
Apollo-Ridge over Western Beaver
Vincentian Academy over Geibel

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE:

Brashear over Westinghouse
University Prep over Carrick
Perry over Allderdice

Tags: Belle Vernon, Gateway, Kiski School