A 4-2 record raised my record above .500 (7-5) for the season but the improvement wasn't enough to please New Jersey judge Damian Murray, who demanded that a certain WPIAL football prognosticator appear in his court.
Murray recently called Snooki of "Jersey Shore" a "Lindsay Lohan wannabe" and he's been known to be tough on prognosticators.
After a thorough examination of my shoddy 7-5 record, Murray declared to the court that I'm about as qualified to make picks as The Situation, another "Jersey Shore" cast member.
Murray's proclamation proved to be harsh criticism, but it's provided a renewed focus for Week 3.
Friday
Trinity (1-0, 2-0) at Belle Vernon (1-0, 1-1) – Both teams look like contenders in the Big Eight Conference and both are getting it done defensively. Trinity held Chartiers Valley to six points and just two first downs after halftime last week. Belle Vernon has allowed 14 points through two games. Picks remembers Trinity's basketball team squeaking out a win at Belle Vernon last year in a defensive-minded game and thinks the same will happen again. Trinity, 13-7.
Ringgold (2-0) at Hollidaysburg (2-0) – Ringgold is rushing for 300-plus yards per game with Derrick Fiore and Quad Law leading the way. WPIAL newcomer Hollidaysburg is fresh off a 37-0 win against Valley and chances are the Tigers faithful will be amped for their Keystone Conference debut. Something also tells me a long bus ride won't slow Ringgold's playmakers once they hit the field. Ringgold 35-21.
West Allegheny (2-0) at Blackhawk (2-0) – West Allegheny slipped past Central Valley in its first full game sans Wisconsin recruit Mike Caputo but it wasn't easy. Blackhawk tends to make things difficult too, but … West Allegheny, 27-24.
South Fayette (2-0) at Steel Valley (2-0) – South Fayette opens play in the Century Conference with what should be a tough test in a tough place to win. Steel Valley's run game has rolled though two opponents but it's tough to match the Lions' balanced offense and the play of quarterback Christian Brumbaugh. South Fayette, 28-26.
North Allegheny (2-0) at Upper St. Clair (2-0) – With Gateway and Woodland Hills winless, North Allegheny has ascended toward the top of the Class AAAA pecking order. So has Upper St. Clair. North Allegheny, 27-10.
Gateway (0-2) at Latrobe (2-0) – Show of hands, who had Gateway at 0-2 and Latrobe at 2-0 going into this non-conference game? Doesn't look like many. The Gators have played a challenging schedule and it's just tough imaging them at 0-3. Gateway, 17-13.
11 comments:
What do you think about the Serra and Chartiers game?
I'm picking C-H to go to 3-0.
I really have no idea what Hollidaysburg has. I know they like to throw the ball, but I dont know if they are legit despite being 2-0. Mike, Do you believe the level of competition Hollidaysburg played last season (district 6 maybe) is not as high as out here in the WPIAL?
I'm hearing Hollidaysburg is solid, maybe not spectacular, across the field.
The school did compete in District 6 previously and as someone who grew up in a high school that competed in D6, I can safely say it's not near the level of the WPIAL.
That said, that doesn't mean there haven't been great teams from D6. Bishop McCort and State College played for state championships last year.
Hollidaysburg's 37-0 victory last week needs to be taken with a grain of salt...They played Valley, which was in AA last yr - enrollment moved them to AAA....Dont recall Valley doing much in AA last yr....I dont think the farm boys of Blair Co will have any answers for the speed of Fiore, Law, Louis,etc...They do throw the ball - similar offense to last yr's Ringgold offense with four WR's...Im not sold on Ringgold's DB's but they have a stout pass rush and that could cause some problems...
I got Char Houston by a touchdown or 2. 17-7 or 21-7 seems about right IMO
You also got to put Fort Cherry on upset alert against Avella as well.
Believe it or not, just because somebody doesn't live in a thriving metropolis like Monongahela, doesn't mean they're a farm boy.
wash hi is a better team then what they showed in the clairton game. if they would of had a better offense scheme they could of at least had some first downs. hopefully the coaches have learned a little from that debacle. there is a lot of talent besides zach barnes (gordon, brower,anderson,thomas) give these guys some touches. the season begins friday with conferance games.clairton will destroy everyone this year good luck and stay humble.
Good luck to you guys Prexie the rest of the way...
@ Anon 9-16 7:19pm...Have you been to Blair County? Its rolling hills and farms...No urban areas....Do I think that every player comes from a farm? No... Its a figure of speech - a generalization....Use some thought - you might understand what I am trying to convey..
I've been to Blair County, a lot. Altoona is definitely not rural. The high school is the largest in the state (at least it was at one point) and the population was 47,176 as of 2006.
Now, if you travel 5 minutes outside Altoona, it's pretty much mountains.
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