Mike White: Good morning. We can now talk. WPIAL playoff pairings are set. Other news going. Lamont Wade out with a knee injury. Some other goings on. Fire away with any questions or remarks.
Mike White: What do you think of the job the WPIAL did with the playoff pairings??? I really didn't think they were hard this year. I think the top seeds were easy. Biggest thing was whether to match teams from same conference in first round. I go back and forth on that idea.
Tyler: Central Catholic is a clear favorite, but does NA stand a chance with Maenza, Sestilli, and Mesaros back healthy?
Mike White: Without a doubt. Maenza one of most unheralded players in WPIAL. He's really good. NA is a much different team than that first game. But the big question for NA would be what about the defense? Of course, NA would have to get to the finals first to meet Central. That won't be a walk in the park especially if they play Lebo in semis.
Dallas Hemphill: If you're in 3A coming from the other confrences you have to be pretty nervous seeing keystone oaks lost by almost 30 points to the 4th place team in the beaver valley.
Mike White: I think KO is good enough to win it. I really do. I don't know if people realize how good Alex Smith is. Getting Powe eligible also is key. But question about KO is the defense?? Yes, they gave up 77 points to Beaver. It makes you wonder. But if that defense fixes some holes, this team can win it. This is not one of great Aliquippa teams. Beaver Falls seems to be peaking. But there is part of me that wants to pick KO to win it all. I have to ponder that more.
WPIAL Joey: Thanksf or the chat, Mike. Does Armstrong have a shot against West A, should they meet? Is that the final you expect to see?
Mike White: I think West Allegheny will be challenged by someone before the finals. I don't think they are the prohibitive favorite that everyone thinks. Yes, Armstrong has a chance because of one reason - Zane. But Armstrong better be careful this week. Gateway has some talent.
But I will say this. You can bet the WPIAL wouldn't mind if Zane got to the title game. Why? He will sell tickets - and maybe lots of them. I think Zane Dudek has created so much interest that people want to see him play.
Armstrong better be strong defensively, though.
Jags: That is a bummer about Beaver missing the playoffs.
Mike White: Sure is. Imagine how Beaver feels, especially when they look at Class A field and see a 2-8 team and other not very good teams. Bad thing is it won't change for next year. I asked WPIAL czar Tim O'Malley last night if the league would re-examine 3A playoff system. He said no because the alignments are meant to last two years. I don't get that. If enough people think something needs fixed, why do you have to wait two years. There is no written rule on that. So we likely will be talking about this again next year.
Jags: It is nice that TJ no longer has to play a team with a losing record in 1st round of playoffs. Glad they have South Fayette on other side of bracket. Hoping for TJ/SF final.
Mike White: Talking to TJ coach Bill Cherpak, he believes a few other Big Nine conference teams could do damage in the playoffs, especially West Mifflin.
Jags: What happened to the guy that co-hosted VaristyXtra video with you? Did he retire?
Mike White: Ahhhh, the mature crafty veteran, Terry Shields. Great guy. Great friend. Great newspaper guy. But yes, he retired. To watch more Notre Dames and go to see his grandchildren in North Carolina. I miss him because it was easy to beat on him, wasn't it? Ha ha
Jags: District 6 (my old stomping grounds), do you see anybody beating Ligonier Valley?
Mike White: Doubtful. That team is very good. I have not seen them but see their scores for the state rankings. Their schedule might not be great, but they are still good. They have a DB committed to West Virginia. Collin Smith.
Jags: Devin Danielson has been all but unstoppable this season. That was a very nice compliment for him to be compared to Aaron Donald. Must be something in the water here in JHills.
Mike White: Cherpak already is one of the best coaches in WPIAL history. Ten undefeated regular seasons???? Wow. And yes, Danielson is tremendous. One of best DLinemen I've seen in recent years from WPIAL.
Mike White: Hey that's about it for now. Happy playoffs. See you next Tuesday at 11.
First Published: November 1, 2016, 2:03 p.m.
Updated: November 1, 2016, 3:56 p.m.
