Tonight's live blog will come from the Post-Gazette Game of the Week - Steel Valley vs. Seton-LaSalle at Peters Township. Follow for updates on that game, but look to the right of this blog for updates and notes from games around the WPIAL by way of @PGVarsityXtra on Twitter. If you have a score, note, photo or update, tweet it with #WPIAL and tag @PGVarsityXtra
Well, I just got back from Schorr's Bakery and have my box of a dozen predictions to go. Was 8-4 last week, which makes the season record 26-10 (.722 pct.). Before we get to the predictions, let's say this isn't a very good week for big games. Have to search hard to find games that mean much. But here we go:
CLASS AAAA
Norwin at Plum - It's not often you see either of these teams make it in the box of "Dozen predictions to Go." That's because they have been doormat programs for years, but might be on the way up. Plum will win because of line play. Winner: Plum.
North Allegheny at Upper St. Clair - This is only a non-conference game, but an interesting one. NA comes in flying high after beating Central Catholic. Upper St. Clair is feeling kind of low after being thumped by Bethel Park. Will feelings change? Nah. Winner: North Allegheny.
Others: North Hills over Seneca Valley; Mt. Lebanon over Penn Hills.
CLASS AAA
West Mifflin at Ringgold - Two 3-0 teams go at it in the Big Ten. Russell Tyree of West Mifflin is the WPIAL's fifth-leading rusher. Chacar Berry is eighth. But Ringgold might have more overall. Winner: Ringgold.
Knoch at Gateway - This game could go a long way in possibly determining a playoff berth in the GAC. Gateway lost last week to Hampton. Can you say rebound? Winner: Gateway.
CLASS AA
Steel Valley vs. Seton-LaSalle at Peters Township - This is the P-G Game of the Week. Both teams have scored a ton of points so far, but the competition hasn't exactly been top notch. Both teams have explosive running backs (Lionel Deanes of Seton-LaSalle and DeWayne Murray of Steel Valley). But that kid Seton-LaSalle has at receiver also is explosive and could be the difference. I hear Paris is nice this time of year. #ParisFord. Winner: Seton-LaSalle.
Southmoreland at McGuffey - It's that time of year when we start to examine Southmoreland's chances of making the playoffs for the first time since 1979. This will hurt those chances. Winner: McGuffey.
Also, Beaver over New Brighton
CLASS A
Shenango at Avonworth - This is a non-conference game but it means something. Both teams are ranked in the top five. Shenango might be the sleeper team in Class A this season. Not to win the title, but to have an excellent season. But how do Wildcats deal in Antelope country? Winner: Avonworth.
Springdale at Clairton - Both teams are 3-0, but there is a major difference between the two teams. Springdale has a nice team, but Clairton often doesn't treat nice teams well. Winner: Clairton.
Also, Union over South Side Beaver