The Varsity Letters searched throughout the WPIAL – from the Alle-Kiski Valley to Western Beaver to West Greene to Laurel Highlands, – and beyond looking for someone willing to make fearless predictions on the top games throughout the district.
TVL couldn't find anyone with a catchy nickname like The Rumbler or The Wedgebuster or The Jolt.
Saturated Fats, the long-time, anonymous prognosticator for the Observer-Reporter, asked for too much money then wanted a lifetime membership to Cici's Pizza. Both requests were denied.
Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was approached but he wanted to delegate writing responsibilities to his assistant coaches while still getting the byline.
Finally, after weeks of searching, TVL found its man. Yours truly. Each week, we'll offer up a serving of Kovak's fearless prognostications.
Conference games
Mount Pleasant at Charleroi – The Vikings won the rugged Interstate Conference a year ago and took a 10-0 record into the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinals before Keystone Oaks knocked them out. Mt. Pleasant returns one starter from that team. Charleroi returns Quentin Briggs, Kyle Shannon and Cory Altemara. Charleroi, 21-3.
North Catholic at Springdale – According to readers of this blog, I overrated North Catholic in my WPIAL Class A preseason rankings, while publishers of statewide rankings overrated Springdale. The Dynamos have the experience. Always take experience early in the season (except for a game yet to be mentioned). Springdale, 19-14.
Non-conference games
Chartiers Valley at Montour – Colts quarterback Wayne Capers is back and CV always plays well early in the season. Montour returns a ton of talent from a team that went 5-5. I'm going with Capers. Chartiers Valley, 28-20.
Clairton at Washington – Remember the adage "always take experience early in the season?" Well, Clairton returns a loaded team that won the PIAA Class A title last year. This year's Bears might be better. With only five seniors, Washington will rely on unproven underclassmen at several key positions. Something tells me that Washington won't be the least bit intimidated by Clairton and something tells me the Bears are in for an upset. Washington, 17-12.
State College at North Allegheny – State College reached the PIAA Class AAAA title game out of District 6 a year ago. The Little Lions always seem to find their way into the state tournament. NA has some injuries, but the Tigers are in the conversation for WPIAL championship contenders. North Allegheny, 28-10.
Saturday
Manatee (Fla.) at Woodland Hills – Woody High should be the class of the WPIAL once again but did anybody see Manatee manhandle Plant on national television last weekend? I did. Manatee 35, Woodland Hills 7.
10 comments:
C'mon mike really? Washington over Clairton you've got to be kidding me.....
Just a hunch anon. Nothing more.
Clairton did lose to Laurel last year in its season opener and I'll take Wash High's athletes over Laurel's.
Despite the prediction, I still say Clairton wins the WPIAL.
Yeah, The Florida teams are nasty down here. Ask Gateway what happened when they played Lakeland.
Good picks. We'll see.
Wow mike i cant believe you would would take washington over clairton so you mean to tell that you would take washington's athletes over clairton's come on man ill tell u what this clairton team is on another level trust me make sure if you cant make it to this game please please please go buy a news paper and look at the score and stats from the game then you will never pick against clairton again this season wow i still cant believe that prediction im stunned GO BEARS I BLEED ORANGE AND BLACK.
...and something tells me someone should drug test you at the OR if you think wash high is going to upset clairton.
Washington has great athletes. It always does. Last year, the Prexies made the playoffs in four key sports - football, basketball, track and baseball.
Clairton has great athletes too and I am not trying to disparage them one bit.
My opinion is Wash High is going to make fewer mistakes. I might be wrong on that. We'll see Friday night.
Mike is entitled to his picks and opinion. We'll see what happens Mike. If Clairton doesnt stay grounded then yes I believe Wash High wins. If they stay focused, Clairton will take care of business.
WHOAAAA HOW BOUT THOSE CLAIRTON BEARS!! 41-0.....Wash High never even had a chance.....
Well well well my bears dished out a butt whooping I tell u people clairton football is not a game listen to me next time 41 to 0 WE ARE BETTER THAN EVERYONE PERIOD WASHINGTON HAD NO FIRST DOWNS AND -26 YARDS TOTAL OFFENSE COME ON MAN THIS IS ONE OF THE WPIALS BEST TEAMS EVER THEY ARE GOING TO BREAK THE WPIAL SCORING RECORD AND MOST SHUTOUTS IN A SEASON TO TELL THE TRUTH NOBODY MIGHT SCORE UPON THESE BEARS CLAIRTON FOOTBALL WE ARE IN A CLASS OF OUR OWN BELIEVE THAT WE GOING TO BEAT EVERYONE VERY VERY BADLY MIKE PAY US SOME ATTENTION THE REST OF THE SEASON HISTORY WILL BE MADE WE ARE GREAT.
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