Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Week 6 picks

One week following a perfect slate of picks, a 4-2 record brought Kovak's fearless prognostications back to reality. Heading into Week 6, a schedule with a lot of strong local flavor, the overall record stands at 22-8, a .733 win percentage.

Peters Township (4-1) at Upper St. Clair (4-1)
One week after a confidence-building win against Bethel Park, Peters Township faces another difficult challenge in Upper St. Clair. The Panthers shook off a humbling loss to North Allegheny with back-to-back wins over West Allegheny and Baldwin. Slowing Dakota Conwell will be the primary focus of a Peters Township defense that allowed 14 points to the Black Hawks. There's no doubting the Indians are vastly improved, but does that translate against an Upper St. Clair team they never seem to beat? Upper St. Clair, 21-20.

Montour (5-0) at Central Valley (4-1)
With each passing week, Montour further establishes itself as the favorite in Class AAA. Nobody has slowed Julian Durden, who averaged 11 yards per carry. Quarterback Dillon Buechel has double-digit touchdown passes. Central Valley has been a pleasant addition to the perennially tough Parkway Conference but the handsome record can be questioned considering some of the competition. Montour, 35-16.

Keystone Oaks (5-0) at South Fayette (5-0)
For my money, this is the best matchup in Week 6. Try finding a WPIAL Class AA ranking that doesn't include these two Century Conference heavyweights. Heck, try finding a state ranking that doesn't include these two. Keystone Oaks, behind the two-headed monster of Matt McCann and Jordan Maddox, has what may be the WPIAL's most potent run game. Add Rico Cannello to the mix and it makes the Golden Eagles look indefensible.

And that's exactly what South Fayette has been since the emergence of Christian Brumbaugh as one of the area's top passers. South Fayette has weapons - Jeff Davis, Tyler Challingsworth, Josh Patterson - everywhere and the Lions are better along the offensive and defensive lines than people realize. Plus, these guys just know how to win. South Fayette, 27-21.

Brentwood (5-0) at Chartiers-Houston (4-1)
Anyone think these two teams would account for a 9-1 combined record heading into this Black Hills Conference game? Not this guy.

The Spartans keep finding ways to win. Through four weeks, it came by defense. Against Fort Cherry last week, Cory Bauer made play after play. The surprising Bucs, led mostly by underclassmen, learned how to win in Weeks 1 and 2. Now, they are challenging for second place in the conference. Danial Lis and Mykel Dorsey continued to be offensive forces. Chartiers-Houston, 24-21.

Avonworth (4-1) at North Catholic (4-1)
Figuring out the Eastern Conference is as complicated as the New York Times crossword puzzle. Let's see, Bishop Canevin beat Avonworth. Avonworth beat Springdale. Springdale just beat Bishop Canevin. North Catholic lost to Springdale and is fresh off a win at Monessen. Actually, all that deciphering just made this pick a lot easier. Avonworth, 21-10.

Beth-Center (5-0) at Monessen (4-1)
Since Beth-Center joined the Tri-County South in 2008, this winner of this game went on to win the conference championship. In 2008, the title went to Beth-Center. Monessen claimed the crown in 2009.

The Bulldogs may have bulldozing tailback Jeff Tarley back, which only bolsters an already strong offense. The Greyhounds are likely smarting after a one-point loss knocked them from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Beth-Center, 41-28.

20 comments:

prexie said...

hey mike what about steel valley and wash high. its a mystery game isnt it.

mike_kovak said...

It's also a huge game for Washingon, which can win the remaining games following this contest.

A win over Steel Valley could get the Prexies to sneak into fourth place but, from everyone in the conference I've talked to, the Ironmen are legit. No doubt Wash High's postseason chances are on the line this week.

The Prexies are going to have to stop the run. The defense has played well at points this season. Offensively, they've got to get something going.

The way Wash High ran the football last year further bolsters my belief that Bryan Thomas was the area's second-best player in 2009. He just bulldozed people as a lead blocker/tight end.

R. Keith Taylor said...

I am remotely worried about Laurel Highlands. They put up a lot of points on, what I thought to be, a stout Greensburg Salem defense.

prexie74 said...

I agree with you mike about the Thomas kid. I watched hime play both football and basketball and he is a strong kid that did a lot of things well. I'm looking for a few upsets this week, the biggest being buldogs/ greyhounds. They will be tough to beat at home. I also like peters over usc, I think the indians have a chance to make some playoff noise.

prexie74 said...

Mike I agree with what you say about b. Thomas. The was a very strong player that did many things well.
I still wish whs would tweak their system to better suit their talent and that the coach would get control of his team.
I like mon over bc this week at home and also pt over usc. i think pt can make some noise this year in the playoffs

Anonymous said...

You must be off your rocker thinking Chartiers-Houston is in the running for second place in the Black Hills Conference. They've beaten no one. Serra isn't what they once were, so don't include them. CH will begin the competition between them and Avella as the 4th seat and if it comes down to a Coaching matchup. CH will be sitting at home again this season.

mike_kovak said...

Anon 1:30 ...

Are you actually following the conference or on here to bash C-H? They are most certainly in the running for second place going into tonight's game.

I'd like to hear your predicted order of finish.

Anonymous said...

2nd and 3rd place will be decided tonight between CH and Brentwood.

4th place will also be decided tonight with the winner of the FC/Serra game locking that spot up and the loser staying home for November.

...I am not the same anon who was bashing CH.

Anonymous said...

Fort Cherry MUST win tonight if they want any hope of making the playoffs.

Anonymous said...

do u think bc can beat monessen with out tarley. what are the chances tarley plays

mike_kovak said...

Tarley practiced this week. Coach Ed Woods wouldn't say if he would play or not but my guess is he does.

Anonymous said...

Is the 47-7 half time score at the Ringgold game correct?

clairton alum said...

Ill be honest...this might be the most BORING high school football season I have ever seen. I know a lot of teams and a lot of fans would like to have the problem that Clairton Football has right now, but they cant get a competitive game to save their lives. And, quite honestly, they're not going to get one until at least the WPIAL Semi's...maybe. I cant handle another 50 + and 60 + blowout. They are excruciatingly painful to watch.

Ostara said...

Looks like Chartiers Houston won! ANON@ 1:30pm Oct 8th.. you got owned.

Anonymous said...

HEY KovAK....GREYHOUNDS!!!!! 20-6 Maybe you better think next time you open your mouth....Monessen DOMINATED them.. read every stat...

Anonymous said...

Clairton Alum;
Never complain about winning. How would you like to be an Avella, Mapletown or West Greene Alum???? Enjoy it while you can cause it won't last, believe me. All good things come to an end.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait in two years (MAYBE even next year) when teams are scoring 50+ on Clairton! Every team has their Ups and Downs. I remember when T.J. was the weak-link and they are starting to level out. Although, I heard they have a young group that are expected to be the best ever. But What goes around, Comes around.

R. Keith Taylor said...

Alum,
You make it seem like it is a bad thing Clairton is winning by 50.

Anonymous said...

Clairton will have a down year next year...but i can PROMISE YOU that nobody is going to put 50 or 60 on the bears...I dont care how down they are. They may not have size next year, but they are still full of athletes.

Clairton Alum said...

Its not a bad thing...and I am obviously not upset about the fact that we are winning...but I sure would like to see a competitive game. We havent had a competitive game all year and i dont forsee us having one until maybe the semi finals. It gets a little stale...