I'm just sayin'
Woodland Hills was the Post-Gazette's preseason No. 1 team in Class AAAA. But with the Wolverines losing the season opener to Upper St. Clair, it's time for a new No. 1 team. The new rankings come out tomorrow.
So who should it be, Upper St. Clair or Central Catholic?
Upper St. Clair started the season at No. 2 while Central Catholic was No. 3. Should USC move up to No. 1 after beating No. 1? It's impressive any time you win AT the Wolvarena. But there are those who felt maybe Central Catholic should've been No. 1 at the start of the season. Central opened the season with a 55-0 victory over Shaler. Impressive? Yes. But let's face it. Shaler is not very good.
Gateway was in the top five at the beginning of the season, but there's no way the Gators deserve to be No. 1 after beating Latrobe by only 22-20 (the Gateway faithful would've lost their minds had Gateway lost). And while three-time defending champion North Allegheny opened with a blowout of Mt. Lebanon, I don't think NA deserves a No. 1 ranking.
My choice? I think I go with Upper St. Clair. You're No. 2 and you win AT No. 1. You should go to No. 1.
Then again, who really cares. It will all be settled on the field come November.
Other notes and thoughts
**** Did we learn anything from week one? Well, I don't think there were any earth-shattering upsets. Rochester was ranked No. 5 in Class A, but was handled by Avonworth. That was a little surprising, at least the margin of victory (33-6). But Rochester was expected to be a little down this year and Avonworth is pretty good. Still, a 27-point margin? Holy Mercury Morris.
When the heck was the last time Rochester lost by 27 points AT HOME.
**** A few weeks ago, Washington star running back Shai McKenzie told me Virginia Tech was the favorite of his final five schools - Pitt, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Arkansas. But McKenzie (pictured) backed off that stance when myself and Don Rebel of MSA Sports had him as a guest Saturday on the "High School Roundup" show on The Fan 93.7. When asked if Virginia Tech was still No. 1, McKenzie said he really doesn't have a favorite. It's probably easier for him if he doesn't say he has a favorite.
McKenzie will be at the Florida State-Pitt game tomorrow night. When asked who he would be rooting for, he quickly said, "Pitt."
*** I'm having trouble deciding where to go Friday? Elizabeth Forward at Thomas Jefferson, Central Catholic at North Hills or Central Valley at Montour? Those look like the best games.
**** C.J. Brown was a stud for the University of Maryland in the season opener yesterday. The Seneca Valley graduate threw for nearly 300 yards and ran for more than 100.
**** Terrelle Pryor is pushing for the No. 1 quarterback job for the Oakland Raiders. Jordan Hall rushed for a career-high 159 yards in Ohio State's season-opening victory against Buffalo yesterday. It was only six years ago those two were ripping apart defenses for Jeannette. (Pryor and Hall are pictured on the sideline during the 2007 WPIAL championship)
On its own level, that Jeannette team has to be one of the best in WPIAL history. Sure, the Jayhawks wouldn't have done the same in Class AAAA. But on their own level? Wow. Remember that team scored a state record 860 points that season in going 16-0.
I must admit. I never thought Hall would make this much of an impact at Ohio State's level. I thought he might be a third-down back at best. Give him his props.
*** Albert Gallatin defeated Derry, 52-0, on Friday. When the heck was the last time Albert Gallatin scored 52 points in a game? Albert Gallatin has made the WPIAL playoffs only once in the past 30 seasons.