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.

City League to join WPIAL?

The City League has fielded outstanding teams in the past, including recent greats like the DeJuan Blair-led Schlenley boys basketball team and the Rod Rutherford-fueled football teams at Perry Traditional Academy.

District 8 is small, however, and it's schools joining District 7 (WPIAL) has often been a topic of conversation.

Mike White of the Post-Gazette has a good story in today's edition about a proposed plan that involves the City League joining the WPIAL as early as the 2012-13 school year.

For more, click
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10279/1092940-364.stm

Week in review ... Week 5

Team of the Week - Peters Township
Always an afterthought, Peters Township finally made a statement against a fellow Class AAAA team with its 21-14 victory over Bethel Park in the Great Southern Conference opener for both.

The Indians played bend-but-don't-break defense, while quarterback Austin Hancock and running back Justin Miller turned in fine performances. Hancock scored the game-winning touchdown and his third-down run in the game's final minute sealed the win.

Behind what may be it's best offensive line in recent memory, Peters Township is 4-1 and, more importantly, 1-0 in conference play. The Indians take a two-game conference win streak - they beat Canon-McMillan to end last season - into Upper St. Clair, which sports the same record.

Runner-up - Trinity

Starting 11
Ty Billie, Trinity
Deshan Brown, Beth-Center
Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette
Alfon Cook, Ringgold
Damon Cupp, Avella
Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry
Austin Hancock, Peters Township
Jon Krall, Carmichaels
Danial Lis, Chartiers-Houston
Nick Zupper, Waynesburg
Justin Miller, Peters Township
First sub
Jake Sofran, Beth-Center

Game of the Week - Brentwood 28, Fort Cherry 21 (OT)
Undefeated Brentwood surged to an early lead at home before Fort Cherry took over in the third quarter. The Rangers took a 21-14 lead in the third with 14 straight points and less than two minutes into the fourth, FC had a chance for a 10-point lead but a 30-yard field goal attempt fell short. Brentwood tied the game with less than two minutes left on the third of Cory Bauer's four TD passes. In overtime, Brentwood scored on its first play. On the second play, the Spartans intercepted Tanner Garry for the win.

Weird, wild stuff - At 5-0 in the Tri-County South Conference, Beth-Center already locked up a WPIAL Class A playoff berth. The Bulldogs play at Monessen, a one-point loser to North Catholic last week, with the winner owning the inside edge on the conference title. ... Avella couldn't run against Clairton in a 65-0 loss but the Eagles' 88 passing yards represents some of the best offensive output against the Bears' defense this season. ... As Trinity head coach Ed Dalton stated, "We're terrible frontrunners. We play our best when our backs are against the wall." Like last week against West Mifflin and Trinity came out with a 25-14 win. This week, the Hillers play winless Elizabeth Forward and assume the frontrunner position.

WPIAL 4,000-yard passing club

South Fayette quarterback Christian Brumbaugh eclipsed the 4,000-yard career passing mark during last week's win against Washington. With 290 passing yards at Burgettstown, Brumbaugh has 4,408 career yards and is rapidly climbing the WPIAL all-time list.

Brumbaugh ranks 24th in WPIAL history, three spots behind Ringgold head coach Matt Humbert, who threw for for 4,461 yards at Laurel Highlands.

1. Adam DiMichele, Sto-Rox (2000-03) 6,741 yards
2. Andrew DiDonato, South Fayette (2003-05) 6,573
3. Rob Kalkstein, Gateway (2006-09) 6,491
4. Luke Getsy, Steel Valley (1998-2001) 6,010
5. Jake Long, Pine-Richland (2002-05) 5,830
6. Tyler Huether, Penn-Trafford (2003-05) 5,637
7. Eric Kasperowicz, North Hills (1991-94) 5,595
8. Bill Stull, Seton-La Salle (2003-04) 5,572
9. Niel Loebig, South Fayette (1997-99) 5,553
Tyler Palko, West Allegheny (1998-2001) 5,553
11. Paul Jones, Sto-Rox (2007-09) 5,525
12. Anthony Morelli, Penn Hills (2000-03) 5,371
13. Mac McArdle, Upper St. Clair (1995-97) 5,334
14. Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin (2001-04) 5,132
15. Tony Zimmerman, Penn-Trafford (1994-96) 5,047
16. Eric Coxon, Brentwood (2005-07) 4,947
17. Bob Tudi, Pittsburgh C.C. (1999-2001) 4,885
18. Bob Bartley, Hampton (2005-06) 4,624
19. Bruce Gradkowski, Seton-La Salle (1999-2000) 4,581
20. Nick Monteleone, Butler (2003-06) 4,536
21. Matt Humbert, Laurel Highlands (2000-02) 4,461
22. Pete Winovich, Thomas Jefferson (2001-03) 4,429
23. Anthony Doria, Seton-La Salle (2001-02) 4,423
24. Christian Brumbaugh, South Fayette (2008-present) 4,408
25. Kevin McCabe, Pine-Richland (2000-02) 4,347
26. Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette (2005-07) 4,340
27. Doug Sanner, Uniontown (2006-08) 4,313
28. Tom Fulton, Penn Hills (2006-08) 4,256
29. Dennis Logue, North Catholic (2006-08) 4,105
30. Rocco Colavecchio, Shenango (2004-06) 4,040
31. Matt Brown, Freedom (1999-2001) 4,021
32. Ryan Flynn, Latrobe (2000-03) 4,013

Observer-Reporter WPIAL football rankings

Class AAAA
Team Record Result
1. Pittsburgh C.C. 5-0 W, Penn Hills, 35-20
2. North Allegheny 5-0 W, Seneca Valley, 47-10
3. Mt. Lebanon 5-0 W, Canon-McMillan, 35-12
4. North Hills 5-0 W, Hempfield, 37-13
5. McKeesport 4-1 W, Latrobe, 7-0

Class AAA
Team Record Result
1. Montour 5-0 W, New Castle, 24-6
2. Thomas Jefferson 4-1 W, Elizabeth Forward, 42-0
3. West Allegheny 4-1 W, Ambridge, 41-28
4. Ringgold 5-0 W, Albert Gallatin, 42-7
5. Knoch 5-0 W, Hampton, 17-14

Class AA
Team Record Result
1. Greensburg C.C. 5-0 W, Mt. Pleasant, 7-0
2. Aliquippa 5-0 W, New Brighton, 48-6
3. South Fayette 5-0 W, Burgettstown, 48-7
4. Keystone Oaks 5-0 W, Washington, 37-0
5. Beaver 5-0 W, Brownsville, 42-0

Class A
Team Record Result
1. Clairton 5-0 W, Avella 65-0
2. Rochester 5-0 W, Shenango, 42-7
3. Beth-Center 5-0 W, California, 46-32
4. Sto-Rox 4-1 W, Union, 46-0
5. Avonworth 4-1 W, Riverview, 35-0

Dropped out: Bishop Canevin

Friday night thoughts, Week 5

Peters Township head coach Nick Milchovich said of Peters Township's 21-14 win over Bethel Park Friday night, "It might be the biggest win in the history of the program."

At first glance, it seems like hyperbole.

Upon closer inspection, Milchovich might be spot on.

Peters Township last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2003, when it played in Class AAA. That team featured future Division I players in Doug Fife and J.J. Knabb as well as Jim Gallagher. That team did not register a name-brand win like Peters Township did last night.

All the Indians need to do to clinch its first spot in the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs is win one of its final four games.

Holding Bethel Park to 14 points has to be a confidence-booster for a defense that was smarting after last week's performance at West Mifflin.

Then, there's the play of senior quarterback Austin Hancock.

He completed 9 of 11 passes for 115 yards and his 22-yard touchdowns was the winning score. Hancock has been amazingly accurate this season. Through five games, he has completed 38 of 49 passes (77.6 percent) for 587 yards and four touchdowns. He's also rushed for three scores.

* Fort Cherry has a quarterback in junior Tanner Garry who can make throws downfield and along the sideline. I came away impressed with Garry's ability to hit the quick six-, seven- and eight-yard hitch during the Rangers' 28-21 overtime loss at Brentwood.

Fort Cherry receivers Ryan Babirad, Tyreke Brown and Nate Bellhy – in his first year playing football – are sure-handed, run after contact and get open on third and fourth down.

Tailback Gary Kiefer, who hurt a shoulder in the game but continued to play, is tough. He picks up three or four yards when it looks like nothing is there. Kiefer can also break the big play.

The Rangers gang tackle on defense and are a physical bunch.

Yet, Fort Cherry is 2-3 following the loss.

Breakdowns in pass coverage were evident as Brentwood quarterback Cory Bauer tossed four touchdowns. The Rangers are going to have to get better play in the secondary as they hunt for a playoff spot out of the Black Hills Conference.

The only other problem I noticed came on special teams. I don't recall a kickoff returner catching a ball on the fly. Balls hit the ground, rolled toward the goal line and gave Fort Cherry unnecessarily poor field position.

Should Fort Cherry find a way to put everything together, I say the Rangers could find themselves winning at least one playoff game.

* Fort Cherry won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense first, as most teams do in such situations. Brentwood coach Kevin Kissel told me after the game he'd do the same thing if the Spartans won the coin toss.

Brentwood scored on its first play of overtime and kicked the ensuing extra point. The pressure was immediately placed on Fort Cherry to score.

At the high school level, with teams getting the ball at the 10-yard line in overtime, I'd like to see the team that wins the coin toss go on offense first.

Why?

Well, for starters, 10 yards is not far to go to get points, whether it come via touchdown or field goal. Second, if a team scores first and makes the extra point, it places a lot of pressure on the other kicker to make the extra point if his team scores a touchdown.

Pressure on a high school kicker is a lot different than pressure on Jeff Reed.

I'm just sayin'.

* Newsflash - Ringgold completed two passes, doubling it's season total to four. The Rams have one fewer completion than wins.

* I'd like to hear some predictions on Keystone Oaks at South Fayette and Beth-Center at Monessen. I'll offer mine later in the week.

* The lopsided scores continued Friday night.
Chartiers-Houston 41, Bentworth 14. Clairton 65, Avella 0. Ringgold 42, Albert Gallatin 7. South Fayette 48, Burgettstown 7. Keystone Oaks 37, Washington 0. Carmichaels 42, West Greene 0. Jefferson-Morgan 43, Mapletown 6.

There have not been an overwhelming number of competitive football games this season.

* Back to Bellhy. The 6-5 senior is known as a basketball player and he came close to averaging 30 points as a junior.

If I'm a local college football coach, I'm talking to Bellhy. He caught every passes thrown his way against Brentwood, whether it was over the middle or along the sideline. After every catch, he turned upfield for extra yards. With a solid frame, he fought off some contact.

Bellhy would be a project, but he might be worth the risk.

Legends of the Fall, Chapter 8

Ringgold High School's Anthony Peterson was a dominating presence at running back for then-head coach Joe Ravasio's Rams in the late 1980s, a time when Ringgold produced athletes like Ramont Small, Jamont Kinds and Greg Lomax. He also holds the distinction of being the last Washington County player to appear in a NFL game.

Peterson landed at Notre Dame, where he was a linebacker for ESPN personality Lou Holtz from 1990-93 and during an era when the Irish plucked as many top talents from Western Pennsylvania as Pitt and Penn State did.

A fifth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, Peterson hung around the NFL until 2000, when he played with Washington. Peterson had two stints with the 49ers (1994-96 and 1998-99) and also played for the Chicago Bears in 1997. He won a Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1995.

Legends of the Fall, Chapter 7

Blogger's note: Apologies for not publishing a Legends of the Fall last week. To make up for the absence, The Varsity Letters will publish two today.

John "Bull" Guzik grew up in tiny Lawrence and attended Cecil Township High School, which is now part of the Canon-McMillan School District. Guzik was one of Cecil's all time greats, a hard-nosed two-way guard who went on to the University of Pittsburgh when the Panthers weren't exactly a national power.

Guzik was a dominant player at Pitt for 1956-58 for head coach John Michelosen. How good was the Washington County native? Good enough to be named first-team All-American in 1958. During the decade of the 1950s, Eldred Kraemer, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, future New York Jets and Robert Morris University head coach Joe Walton and Guzik were Pitt's only first-team honorees.

Guzik played in the 1958 East-West Shrine Game and the 1959 College All-Star Game as well as the Hula Bowl. Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 1958 draft (Guzik was a junior), Guzik played with the Rams in 1959 and 1960 before spending the 1961 season with the Houston Oilers. There, he was part of a team that won the AFL championship.

Games of the Week, Week 5

Finally, the Great Southern Conference kicks off its season. If you ask me, there's just something wrong about playing a month of non-conference games to start the campaign.

Bethel Park (2-2) at Peters Township (3-1)
Peters Township brings a better record into the game and the Indians are getting fantastic efficiency from senior quarterback Austin Hancock, who has completed nearly 75 percent of his pass attempts, and junior running back Andrew Erenberg, who has raced way ahead in lead for local scoring (70 points, 11 TDs). Bethel Park, however, has played the better competition, including a game against top-ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic. How well Peters Township tackles Black Hawks' tailback Bre Ford is vital.

West Mifflin (2-2) at Trinity (2-2)
The way Trinity played to start the season made this game look like an afterthought. That's no longer the case after the offense struggles in losses to Belle Vernon and Central Valley. Trinity will look to run but its passing game has sputtered since a season-opening win at Canon-McMillan and defenses are stacking the box. West Mifflin is 2-0 in the Class AAA Big Eight Conference, but those wins came against Elizabeth Forward and South Park. The Titans rallied from a 21-7 fourth-quarter deficit last week against Peters Township only to lose in overtime.

Fort Cherry (2-2) at Brentwood (4-0)
How good is Fort Cherry? The Rangers feel recent wins over Avella and Carlynton better demonstrate their ability than early losses to Western Beaver and mighty Rochester. Quarterback Tanner Garry is healthy and in 6-5 Nate Bellhy, in his first year on the fooball team, Garry has found a big-play target. Bellhy averaged more than 28 points during his junior basketball season.

How good is Brentwood? The undefeated Spartans have looked dominant against mostly inferior competition. Brentwood has allowed just 13 points on the season but the combined record of its opponents are 2-14 and both wins are by Deer Lakes.