Varsity Blog program note: Tonight's Friday night live blog will come from the Post-Gazette game of the week - North Allegheny at Pine-Richland. For reports, notes and scores of other games, look to the right of this blog to follow our @PGVarsityXtra Twitter account. If you have scores, updates, notes or photos tag @PGVarsityXtra with #wpial
Just got back from the bakery and got my dozen predictions to go. They are below. But first, our Week 2 edition of the wildly popular "This Week In High School Sports" on Varsity Xtra video, with yours truly and Terry Shields. Watch it for predictions on the big games, and, of course, talk about other subjects. Lots of talk.
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Dozen predictions to go
Geez, it is not a good week for big games. Actually, overall it's somewhat of a clunker week for many big games. Now, next week is totally different. But here we go for this week:
CLASS AAAA
North Allegheny at Pine-Richland - This Post-Gazette game of the week might establish somewhat of an identity for these two teams. There is a belief that no way Pine can be as good as last year. I agree. But still pretty good. Key to the game is line play and whether NA can run the ball. Winner: Pine-Richland.
Bethel Park at Woodland Hills - First, Central Catholic. Now, Woodland Hills. The schedule makers are not kind to Bethel Park. The Black Hawks gave Central all it could handle. Are they beat up from that? Bethel's run defense is the key. Winner: Woodland Hills.
Plum at North Hills - This is only a non-conference game, but an interesting one as two 1-0 teams try to establish themselves. Watch for Plum this year. Matt Morgan has turned things around at this school. A big key will be QB play for North Hills. I'd call this a tossup. The coin is in the air ... Winner: North Hills.
CLASS AAA
Armstrong at Mars - The first road game for the new school. Armstrong, a merger of Ford City and Kittanning, is 1-0, and it would absolutely Zaney for the River Hawks to go 2-0. That's a reference to their running back, Zane Dudek. Get it? But Mars is usually pretty good in home games. Winner: Mars.
Elsewhere in Class AAA, Montour over New Castle, and Thomas Jefferson will bounce back with a victory over Belle Vernon.
CLASS AA
Highlands at Apollo-Ridge - This was a terrific game last year, won by Highlands. It has the makings of another good one, especially with Apollo-Ridge star Duane Brown lining up everywhere from quarterback to receiver. If he has a big game, it's trouble for Highlands. But if Highlands controls him ... Winner: Highlands.
Also, Beaver over Quaker Valley and Seton-LaSalle over South Allegheny.
CLASS A
Beth-Center at Greensburg Central Catholic - This is a non-conference game, but another interesting one. Beth-Center can gain the Tri-County South Conference some respect with a win. Oh well. Winner: Greensburg Central Catholic.
Also, Neshannock over Shenango, and Frazier over Jefferson-Morgan.