Another 5-1 record last week upped Kovak's fearless prognostications to a 32-10 overall mark and a .762 win percentage.
Thursday
South Fayette (7-0) at Seton-La Salle (7-0)
FSN cameras will be at Chartiers Valley High School to televise this game on tape delay following the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Penguins' postgame show. It's the only matchup of unbeaten teams in the WPIAL this week and features two contrasting offenses. Seton-La Salle relies on running back Kevin Hart, while South Fayette quarterback Christian Brumbaugh is playing his best football the last few weeks. South Fayette, 28-20.
Friday
Chartiers Valley (3-4) at West Mifflin (3-4)
The winner could finish third in the Big Eight Conference but most likely locks up fourth place. Chartiers Valley is a better team than it was early in the season when quarterback Wayne Capers was lost for the season. The Colts' 21 points against Thomas Jefferson is all that needs to be know. Chartiers Valley, 27-20.
Franklin Regional (6-1) at Ringgold (7-0)
Not even Joe Montana guided Ringgold to a 7-0 start, a first in Rams history. Franklin Regional has been very businesslike in building a six-game win streak since a season-opening loss to Plum. Ringgold is scoring points at a rapid rate and hasn't allowed more than a touchdown since Week 3. The pick says Ringgold locks up the Keystone Conference championship ... Ringgold 28-14.
West Allegheny (6-1) at Montour (7-0)
With all due respect to Franklin Regional and Ringgold, the winner of this game is looking at a possible No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. West Allegheny just keeps winning without Mike Caputo and the Indians are getting more impressive in doing so. Montour hasn't been tested much this year but, when it is, the Spartans find different ways to win. Smells like an upset. West Allegheny, 28-26.
Greensburg Central Catholic (7-0) at East Allegheny (5-2)
GCC hasn't lost but the Centurions have looked anything but impressive in narrow seven-point wins over Mt. Pleasant and Mohawk in two of the last three games. East Allegheny scored 13 more points than GCC did against Mt. Pleasant but the Wildcats lost that game. Until someone actually beats GCC, it's not wise to pick against them. Greensburg Central Catholic, 14-7.
California (4-3) at Frazier (4-3)
The winner of this game might not be a winner if it finished fourth in the Tri-County South Conference and has to travel to Rochester or Clairton for a first-round playoff game. California can finish third thanks to a win over Carmichaels. Frazier is coming off a tough overtime loss to the Mikes. Both teams have plenty to play for, but the Trojans have a little extra incentive. California, 35-28.
20 comments:
Im using my head, not my heart when I say I would be surprised if Ringgold beats FR. They have been very sloppy in recent weeks. Their win vs Derry was nothing but big plays…Kickoff ret, punt ret, INT return plus two long runs by Fiore. No sustained offense at all. These types of scoring plays go away in tightly contested games against better competiton. For an under-manned squad, Derry's defense out-played Ringgold for most of 3 qtrs. Plus, these Rams haven’t played in a meaningful game in their careers. FR has been an annual participant in the playoffs so their kids probably have a better concept of what is needed in a game like this. If they do win Friday, it will be because their defense continues its impressive form and they must win the turnover battle. I hope Im wrong.
These Are My Wpial Championship Game Picks.
AAAA: Central Catholic vs. North Allegheny
AAA: TJ Vs. Montour
AA: Aliquippa Vs. GCC
A: Clairton Vs. Rochester
what do you guys think of these matchups?
Great points Sword. We'll see what happens.
As for the title game picks, the only one I slightly disagree with is Class AA. I'll go with Aliquippa and South Fayette right now and wouldn't be surprised if it was Aliquippa and Beaver or Beaver Falls.
Sarcastic, I agree. I think Anon is pretty spot on but I gotta agree with Mike about South Fayette because I've doubted his judgement before and he ended up being right. Rochester does seem a little more menacing to me though.
I am going to be bold and predict a West A to upset the Juggernaut known as Montour this week.
hey mike, what do you think peters chances are on making the playoffs, and what's a team you could see them playing first round?
I think Ringgold is going to win. FR has been playing the same schedule as Ringgold. FR snuck past Holidaysburg and Ringgold whipped them. If Ringgold comes out and plays their game, Ringgold wins by 2 or 3 touchdowns.
Ringgold is faster than FR. No matter what you say as far as to who Ringgold is playing, they simply have a big play offense. This was evident agaisnt a good Greensburg Salem defense.
With this being said, Sarc, I certainly can agree with most of your points. I just think Ringgold is better.
In 3A I wouldn't count out WA or even Central Valley. 3A is very wide open at this point. In 2A I agree with Mike. I think South Fayette is a better choice than GCC at this point. 4A seems about right and the same with 1A. As for my picks;
4A NA
3A WA
2A Aliquippa
1A Clairton
At Sarcastic Sword
I would venture to say that Greensburg Salem and Hollidaysburg were both "meaningful" games that were good competition for the Rams. If you look at FR's record, they have a close win against a good Hollidaysburg team 27-20. They have a loss to a AAAA Plum team that is usually a basment dweller. They have not played Greensburg Salem yet either. I believe both teams will play very hard but never count out those Rams....I believe they are a team that is shedding the burden of having 4 coaching staffs in four years and learning how to win games with what the field is giving them. Remember as well, this is a Rams team that was picked to finish sixth in the Keystone and has a staff that was put together sometime in June and July, there 7-0 record thus far is a credit to the determination of the players as well as the coaches to make sure all of that talent and senior leadership is used on the field. Friday night should be a great game. Sword....I hope your head is wrong and your heart is right btw...
@Keith...
You would probably agree that Ringgold's speed was significantly greater than Derry's but for two long runs by Fiore, Ringgold's offense looked horrid. It isnt just the speed factor..If Ringgold's OL gets whipped liked Derry did to them, all of the speed in the world wont help them...And dont you question how Ringgold's OL allowed Derry's DL to dominate the line of scrimmage for most of 3 qtrs? How many 3rd and 13 and 3rd and 15 did Ringgold have last Friday?
We probably also agree that Franklin Reg is better than Derry....Those big plays dont come as easily against better teams...
Franklin's QB's have combined for 36 completions and 900 yards passing...Ringgold's pass defense is at best a question mark. I say that because a few teams (Greensburg and Hollidaysburg) had some success through the air and I believe that Franklin's passing game could expose some deficiencies in the secondary. Of course all of that could be rendered moot if Ringgold's DL doesnt give the FR QB's time to throw.
Beleive me, Im not going out of my way to criticize this team. I feel very happy for them that they are having this much success. But I cant come on here in good faith like some others do and act like their schools do no wrong when my eyes tell me differently.
It looks like Peters Township might have to win its last game against Canon-McMillan to get in the postseason.
If PT loses to Mt. Lebo, the Indians won't have a win against a Class AAAA team with a winning record unless BP wins out. Combine that with the lack of tradition and I'd say PT draws a team like North Allegheny or Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
I would argue to say that Ringgold did not open the playbook up against Derry. With the Rams being scouted so heavily that week, (I SAW 2 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN THE STANDS) Ringgold had no reason to be creative. Ringgold overlooked Derry. Derry was giving Ringgold all they had, but the cream rose to the top. I am going to "accentuate the positive" and just say lets go Rams.
@Keith...Your making excuses...Humbert hasnt opened up the playbook all season....The OL, in theory, should have pounded Derry into submission, even with a conservative gameplan...I think the Rams have been fortunate to get some good defense - some turnovers - and big plays on offense..I dont think that this OL can win a game on its own.
Ringgold is the Dark Horse Sleeper in AAA and Cherpak isn't sleeping well due to it...Mark my words...I am supernatural...
Mike you have been almost completely dead on in every Ringgold pick. What's your secret?
Gotta give props to Fort Cherry tonight. I'll go out on a limb and say the Rangers are better than Wash High and should be a 3TD Fav against Char Houston. Definitely not the team I was expecting tonight. They was gritty and moved the ball pretty well tonight. FC should be a threat come playoff time.
Hey Sword....guess your wrong...Go Rams!!!!
Yes, Sword, as a fan of the Rams, just enjoy the ride. Ringgold broke big plays on a team you said it wouldn't happen. You throw out Fiore's muff, and Franklin doesn't even get in the endzone. Ringgold has big play potential. It doesn't matter if it is Franklin Regional or Albert Gallatin; speed thrills. Now all I have to say is that if Ringgold implemented a triple option, that could be nice. Also, Mike, it was a pleasure meeting you on Friday.
joey the wash high team you saw play was a joke. the coaches were not prepared at all and it was an embarassment to the team. we most definitely have more talent on the offensive side of the ball then what we showed in that 1st game. clairton would still beat us bad but i would put my money on wash high against fort cherry.maybe if the coaches keep going the way they have in the last few weeks we can give you guys a better tune up for the season next year.
I am glad I was wrong...Great job Rams....
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