I'm off to Aliquippa and will have tonight's live blog from the New Brighton-Aliquippa game. Call up the blog and check out our live score updates from other games, which can be seen on the right-hand column next to the blog. Check out @PGVarsityXtra on Twitter for updates. If you have a score or update, tweet @PGVarsityXtra with #wpial.
Before we get to the predictions ...
Some rain and a possible thunderstorm are being forecast for tonight. If there is lightning, games are delayed. Here's to hoping that the thunder and lightning stay away.
And this weekend at some point, I'll give a shoutout and weigh in on the Twitter account of Hopewell's receivers @HVWRprobs, It seems they just want some passes.
Now for the predictions. Last week: 12-6. Season: 39-12. For tonight's top games ...
WPIAL CLASS AAAA
Upper St. Clair at Penn Hills - It's the Post-Gazette Game of the Week. Penn Hills' new offense has been impressive. QB Billy Kisner and RB Isaiah Jones have racked big rushing yardage totals. But I like the way USC defends the run. I actually think the biggest key to this game might be how Penn Hills does against Upper St. Clair's run. Winner: Upper St. Clair
Elsewhere in Class AAAA - McKeesport over Penn-Trafford; North Allegheny over Pine-Richland.
WPIAL CLASS AAA
Mars at Highlands - Highlands was awfully impressive in shutting out Franklin Regional last week. Mars' only loss was to Franklin Regional in the opener. Naturally, you'd think I would pick Highlands. Not so fast. I think Mars has improved since then. Josh Schultheis (pictured) has two consecutive 200-yard games and how well Mars blocks for him could be the key. Winner: Mars.
Elsewhere in Class AAA - New Castle over Montour; Elizabeth Forward over Belle Vernon.
WPIAL CLASS AA
New Brighton at Aliquippa - I have to get a gyro from Gyro Joe before the game. It's tradition. Then it's the game in The Pit. New Brighton (3-0) is off to one of its best starts in a while and the Lions have a potent passing game with QB Gabe Greco, son of coach Joe Greco. But the Quips have so many good athletes in the secondary and that will be the difference. Also, can New Brighton's defense stop Aliquippa? Winner: Aliquippa.
Elsewhere in Class AA - Shady Side Academy over Burrell; Seton-LaSalle over Steel Valley (star RB D'Andre Pickens won't play for Steel Valley); Washington over Yough; Beaver Falls over Beaver.
WPIAL CLASS A
Avonworth at West Shamokin - It seems strange to type West Shamokin into the big game section. Only one year ago the Wolves broke a 46-game losing streak. Now they are 3-0. But Avonworth is my sleeper team in Class A. Winner: Avonworth
Elsewhere in Class A - Fort Cherry over Brentwood; Clairton over Monessen.
CITY LEAGUE
Allderdice vs. Westinghouse - I'm starting to hear good things about these Jackson twins for Allderdice - James and Tim. They just might have to be the Action Jacksons from now on. Winner: Allderdice.