Kovak's fearless prognostications hit its stride last week as a perfect 6-0 record upped the overall season mark to 18-6, a more respectable .750 win percentage. It's hard to believe October is upon us.
On to the picks ...
Bethel Park (2-2) at Peters Township (3-1)
The Great Southern Conference finally kicks off league games this week and Peters Township, coming off an overtime win at West Mifflin, takes a three-game win streak into the important games. Bethel Park isn't used to being 2-2 at this juncture but one of the losses came against Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
The Indians are tough to figure. They did what was expected in blowout victories in Weeks 2 and 3. They lost the opener to a Penn-Trafford team that was crushed by Mt. Lebanon. Then, there's the overtime game at West Mifflin. Expect Austin Hancock to take more of a role in the PT offense than he needed to during the non-conference games. Just not sure Peters Township's defense is ready to match the offense. Bethel Park, 28-21.
New Castle (3-1) at Montour (4-0)
I entered the season skeptical about Montour, who went from a 5-5 team a year ago to near the top of preseason rankings by many local publications. The Spartans, behind runner Julian Darden, have convinced me they're one of the top two teams in what I see as the WPIAL's weakest classification. Montour, 36-17.
Fort Cherry (2-2) at Brentwood (4-0)
Fort Cherry shook off a rough start - one that included a puzzling home loss to Western Beaver to open the season - and has rebounded to win Black Hills Conference games against Avella (avenging last year's loss) and Carlynton. Brentwood handed Fort Cherry a 22-0 loss in the first round of last year's playoffs. Now, the Spartans are in the conference and are 4-0 against a weak schedule. Going back to that playoff win, Brentwood has allowed 13 points in its last five wins. Brentwood, 10-7.
Bishop Canevin (4-0) at Springdale (3-1)
Between Bishop Canevin's Bob Jacoby and Spingdale's Chuck Wagner, there's more head coaching experience in this game (83 years) than all the Washington County high schools combined by decades. Seriously. Bishop Canevin is enjoying its return to Class A. The party in Pittsburgh's Oakwood section continues. Bishop Canevin, 20-13.
North Catholic (3-1) at Monessen (4-0)
It's an odd time for a non-conference game in Class A but, after four straight weeks of play in the Tri-County South Conference, undefeated Monessen wants to see how it stacks up come playoff time. In recent years, it hasn't gone well for the Greyhounds out of conference. This one should be highly competitive and the temptation to go with Monessen's big-play defense is there ... North Catholic, 14-13.
California (2-2) at Beth-Center (4-0)
One of the oldest rivalries around means a packed house at Beth-Center for these two neighbors. The first year the rivalry was renewed and played in front of a capacity crowd at California University's Adamson Stadium was the hardest hitting high school game I've witnessed. California's 2-0 start is a distant memory following losses to Riverview and Monessen. The Trojans need a signature win as the schedule gets a lot easier after this one. Could Beth-Center be looking ahead to next week's game at Monessen? No way. Beth-Center, 42-14.
11 comments:
Ringgold 56 AG 14
Peters will play them tough. Look for Hancock to have a big night.
FC's qb got hurt early against Western. Getting healthy now.
California may play BC a little toughter than you predict. BCs line is terribly undersized.
North Catholic is a one man show. Stop the pass and you stop the Trojan horse.
Mike,
What are your thought's on Trinity vs West Mifflin?
With a win, the Hillers could clinch a third place finish and draw another conf. runner-up in the first round of the playoffs.
That could be the difference between a playoff victory, or another early exit.
But with a loss on Friday, it could come down to McGuffey at Trinity in week nine for the last playoff spot....
I think as long as Trinity runs the football and converts a couple third-and-plus five situations, it should win this game by double digits.
Cal's defense is no doubt capable of preventing 42 points. The half time score at the Monessen game was 9-8. If Cal has fixed whatever caused that second half hiccup, this is going to be one good football game.
And some of those boys are playing with the memory of being robbed of a touchdown and losing by a field goal with seconds left in the game.....This should be good!
Can Waynesburg finally win a game? What do you think Mike?
I picked the Raiders in the paper and I came close to putting that game in this week's picks.
I'm going with the "Never take a team that gave up 75 points the week before" theory.
Jeannette hung 75 on Southmoreland last week.
Believe it or not, Waynesburg is not a bad football team. They have started out with a schedule that is absolutely brutal.(GCC, EA, Jeanette and Beaver Falls). The Raiders moved the ball against Jeanette better than I have seen them do in years, they simply made too many crucial mistakes that turned a good game into a rout. The program is heading in the right direction and I think you will start to see some wins out of the Raiders in October. Joe Kuhns is taking a lot of heat from some fans with unrealistic expectations, but I think he is doing things the right way.
Coach Kuhns is the reason California football is where it is today. He DOES do things the right way and if Waynesburg is patient, I am sure he will have success there. He was my coach. He knows the game, is a great motivator, his teams tend to overachieve and he ALWAYS tells his players the truth whether they (or their parents) want to hear it or not.
0-5 is not a bad football team? They have gotten crushed in all five losses. Jeannette put 75 on Southmoreland and they both pounded Waynesburg. If he tells the kids the truth, he should tell them they might win 1 game this year. He is a great guy but his offense is way to predictable. I have seen five games in the last two years and they continue to run up the middle into a 8 man box. If the quarterback can't pass then why is he playing that position? They should try a 4 wide set or a wishbone offense. Try something new because what he is doing hasn't worked in two years. This isn't the tri county south anymore.
4 wideouts with no athletes? Brilliant concept. You must be one of those Waynesburg idiot fans who always have to blame a coach. Don't worry, I heard you have already drove him off. Expect him to resign at the end of the year.
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