Varsity Blog programming note: High school football kicks off tonight and the live blog is back. Tonight, I will be at the P-G Game of the Week, North Allegheny at Seneca Valley. Follow the big game on the live blog, but also get scores from around the WPIAL and City League by looking to the right of the blog or following @PGVarsityXtra live score updates on Twitter.
Please send score updates from any games to @PGVarsityXtra on Twitter and use #wpial. And hey, there has to be some student sections ready to go for this first night. Student sections, send me photos @mwhiteburgh and they just might make the Varsity Blog.
Follow the Post-Gazette's @CraigMeyerPG, who will be at the Upper St. Clair-Penn Hills game, and @BREAL412, who will be at Ringgold-Thomas Jefferson.
And don't forget, we will have a complete wrapup of all WPIAL and City League games in tomorrow's Post-Gazette. We will have something on every game.
But for now, may we present a weekly feature. I stopped at Schorr's in West View, one of the best bakeries anywhere, and put in the order for pick-up every Friday. It's time for
A dozen predictions to go
Here are picks for 12 games around the WPIAL and City League:
WPIAL CLASS AAAA
North Allegheny at Seneca Valley - Something tells me that even though it has only a few returning starters, North Allegheny is still going to be tough to handle. I think the Tigers will still be fairly tough on defense. The biggest question mark in this game is how good is Seneca Valley's defense? Winner: Seneca Valley.
Upper St. Clair at Penn Hills - USC will be good the second half of the season. But for now, ol' Jimbo Render might not be too happy. Winner: Penn Hills.
WPIAL CLASS AAA
Ringgold at Thomas Jefferson - Will all those homemade street signs for TJ football again be on Old Clairton Rd. leading up to Thomas Jefferson? I love those. As for the game, I know Ringgold has a number of starters back from a pretty good team last year. And I know Nico Law is one dang good dual-threat QB. But I also know never to go against TJ at home. Winner: Thomas Jefferson.
Also, Franklin Regional over Knoch, although Knoch could be sleeper team in Class AAA this year. .... And Central Valley over Montour.
WPIAL CLASS AA
Burrell at Valley - The Muzzster is back coaching. Muzzy Colosimo is Valley's new coach. Remember all those good teams he had at Greensburg Central Catholic? This Valley team isn't as good as those, but good enough to win this rivalry game. Winner: Valley.
Also, McGuffey over Mount Pleasant (I may be all wet about McGuffey against an always-good MP team. But just a feeling). ... New Brighton over Laurel.
WPIAL CLASS A
Avonworth at Chartiers-Houston - I still say Avonworth will challenge for a conference title, despite the loss of several key players. By the way, did Avonworth coach Duke Johncour go to Duke? Maybe they'll someday name the field at Avonworth Coach J Turf. Oh, never mind. Winner: Avonworth.
Monessen at Greensburg Central Catholic - One of many good games in the Eastern Conference this year. Winner: Greensburg C.C.
Also, Rochester over Union and Frazier over Avella.