Aug 31 2009
By Mike White | Monday, Aug. 31, 9:21 p.m.
Want to know who the top teams in the country are? Below are the latest rankings in the National Prep Poll, which has been in existence since 1987. The rankings are compiled by Jamie DeMoney. Listed after the national rankings are the Northeast rankings.
No WPIAL team is in the national rankings. McKeesport is ranked No. 7 in the Northeast rankings. The only Pennsylvania team in the national rankings is Bethlehem Liberty, the defending PIAA Class AAA champion.
Before the rankings, two quick notes. I'll be doing a Live Blog Saturday from the Rally in the Valley in Wheeling, W.Va. Three WPIAL teams are playing top teams outside the area. McKeesport is playing St. Joseph's Prep, Woodland Hills is playing Steubenville and Central Catholic is playing Youngstown Ursuline.
Also, starting tomorrow the Post-Gazette is starting a premium web site PG+. It will have many features. I'll have high school analysis, insight, notes, news and even some interviews throughout the week. The web address will be www.post-gazette.com/plus.
NATIONAL PREP POLL
#1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aquinas (1-0-0), routed Upper Arlington, Ohio, 52-7, on ESPN
#2. Duncan, S.C., Byrnes (1-0-0), beat Ga. foe Central Gwinnett, 43-7
#3. Miami, Northwestern (0-0-0), scored 31 first-half points in preseason game
#4. Katy, Texas (1-0-0), ended North Shore’s 78-game regular season win streak
#5. Valdosta, Ga., Lowndes (1-0-0), opened with 75-14 laugher
#6. Chesapeake, Va., Smith (1-0-0), topped Venice, Fla., 27-13, on ESPNU
#7. Cincinnati, Elder (1-0-0), beat regionally ranked East St. Louis, 49-28
#8. Bellevue, Wash. (0-0-0), plays at No. 4 Katy Sept. 12
#9. Sammamish, Wash., Skyline (0-0-0), faces Ore. power Jesuit Saturday
#10. Cedar Hill, Texas (1-0-0), outgunned DeSoto, 44-41, on ESPN
#11. Cleveland, St. Ignatius (1-0-0), defeated then-No. 5 Glenville, 14-13
#12. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco (0-0-0), hosts No. 15 De La Salle Sept. 12
#13. Westlake Village, Calif., Oaks Christian (0-0-0), six seniors have Division I offers
#14. Lakeland, Fla. (0-0-0), QB Jarred Haggins headed to Florida St.
#15. Concord, Calif., De La Salle (0-0-0), 30-year coach Bob Ladouceur has won 93 percent of his games
#16. Loganville, Ga., Grayson (1-0-0), beat defending 5A champ Camden County in opener
#17. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty (0-0-0), reigning 4A titlist
#18. Peoria, Ariz., Centennial (1-0-0), three-time defending 5A/II champ
#19. Dallas, Skyline (0-0-0), nine seniors are Division I commits
#20. Anaheim, Calif., Servite (0-0-0), OT Matt Jakubiec is Arizona-bound
#21. Jenks, Okla. (0-0-0), six state titles this decade
#22. Hyattsville, Md., DeMatha (0-0-0), RB Marcus Coker headed to Iowa
#23. River Ridge, La., John Curtis (0-0-0), 23 state crowns in 34 years
#24. Charlotte, N.C., Independence (2-0-0), plays regionally ranked South Pointe Friday
#25. Wheaton, Ill., Wheaton Warrenville South (1-0-0), beat state-ranked Hinsdale Central, 34-26
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^Northeast=
#1. Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco, 0-0-0
#2. Bethlehem, Pa., Liberty, 0-0-0
#3. Harrisburg, Pa., McDevitt, 0-0-0
#4. Montvale, N.J., St. Joseph’s, 0-0-0
#5. Oradell, N.J., Bergen Catholic, 0-0-0
#6. State College, Pa., 0-0-0
#7. McKeesport, Pa., 0-0-0
#8. Wayne, N.J., Wayne Hills, 0-0-0
#9. Lansdale, Pa., North Penn, 0-0-0
#10. Central Valley, N.Y., Monroe-Woodbury, 0-0-0
Aug 31 2009
By Mike White | Monday, Aug. 31, 7:25 p.m.
Here is a nice touch of kindness by the Chartiers Valley soccer boosters.
Chartiers Valley soccer player Ian Overmeier lost his mother, Heidi, when she was slain in the LA Fitness shooting in early August. The Chartiers Valley soccer boosters are dedicating the first home game of the season to Overmeier's mother and also hoping to raise funds for Ian's future educational needs.
The boosters are inviting the Chartiers Valley community to attend the Tuesday, Sept. 8 game against McGuffey (7:30 start). Proceeds from the game and other events that night will benefit the Ian Overmeier Trust Fund. Donations can also be made directly to any PNC branch in the name of the Ian Overmeier Trust Fund.
Ian Overmeier is a sophomore on the Chartiers Valley team.
Aug 30 2009
By Mike White | Sunday, Aug. 30, 4:00 p.m.
Aliquippa won its 600th game and 13th WPIAL championship last football season. This week, the Quips are celebrating both feats.
Aliquippa is having three days of festivities and special events to celebrate their glorious past. On Thursday, a private cocktail for former team MVPs, coaches of championship teams and other select guests will be at Shadow Lakes Country Club.
Above, some coaches and players from Aliquippa's glorious past. They are, clockwise from top, Don Yannessa, Frank Marocco, Pudgy Abercrombie, Ty Law, Darrelle Revis, Sean Gilbert and Mike Zmijanac. The sign is from a road sign in Aliquippa.
On Friday, a golf outing will be at Shadow Lakes. Cost is $70. On Friday night, the Quips will practice under the lights and any former player is invited to attend. Refreshment stands and other vending booths will be open. "We're not trying to make any money on this. We want all the vendors to sell everything at cost. We're just trying to celebrate us," said Mike Zmijanac, Aliquippa's football coach and athletic director.
On Saturday night, Aliquippa plays Ambridge in the season opener for both teams. Any player on Aliquippa's 13 championship teams in attendance will be introduced before the game.
Perry celebrates 20th anniversary of championship team
The only City League team to win a state football championship was the 1989 Perry Commodores. Perry had some talented players that year, but practically no one gave the Commodores a chance of beating Berwick in the Class AAA title game. Berwick beat Aliquippa for the championship the previous year and just about everyone thought Berwick would handle Perry. But Perry pulled off one of the biggest upsets in beating Berwick.
A 20th anniversary celebration of that Perry team will be Oct 15-16. On Oct. 15 (Thursday), there will be a tailgate party for the team before the Perry-Westinghouse game at Cupples Stadium. The 1989 team will also be honored at halftime. On Oct. 16 (Friday), a banquet for the 1989 team will be at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. Cost is $50 a ticket. For information, call Rahmon Hart at 412-443-5838 or 412-396-1117, or Mark Ward at 412-323-3400.
Hart is helping run the events. He was a Perry player in 1989 and the Post-Gazette City League Player of the Year. It's always interesting to see what players do years after their playing days. Hart is the Director of Milticultural Affairs at Duquesne University.
Aug 28 2009
By Mike White | Friday, Aug. 28, 8:30 a.m.
Some WPIAL football players who sign with Division I colleges don't make it at the major-college level, for a variety of reasons, from grades to a lack of talent.
These days, a popular place for those who don't make is California University of Pa.
The Vulcans' season started last night against Saginaw Valley State. But take a look at California's roster and it's clear John Luckhardt's place has become a favorite for WPIAL players on the rebound from Division I football. This isn't a bad thing. I'm just saying it's interesting.
Last year, California's quarterback was Kevin McCabe, a Pine-Richland graduate who left the University of Virginia program. McCabe has used up his eligiblity. On this year's roster, I count at least five former WPIAL players who either played at a Division I college, or were supposed to play on the major-college level.
Linebacker Dontey Brown spent the past few seasons at Penn State, but is finishing his eligibility at California. Running back Windell Brown, a Duquesne graduate, was once a Pitt recruit but is now at California. Dane Conwell, a running back-linebacker on Upper St. Clair's state championship team a few years ago, left the Indiana Hoosiers and is now at California.
Two other players were supposed to be freshman at Mid-American Conference schools this year, but are on California's roster. They are Gateway defensive lineman B.J. Stevens, who signed with Miami, Ohio, and former Mckeesport fullback-linebacker Nico Price, who had signed with Ohio. Both Price and Stevens were Fabulous 22 members last season.
B.J. Stevens
You can be sure Luckhardt is more than happy to accept these players.
Nico Price
Aug 27 2009
By Mike White | Thursday, Aug. 28, 8:35 p.m.
Who had the best football program in the WPIAL in the past 25 years? You can find out tomorrow.
Our first Varsity Xtra section of the year comes out tomorrow with a preview of the football season. The cover story is about a project we worked on this summer, putting together the records of the past 25 years for all of the 123 teams in the WPIAL.
We’ll wait until tomorrow to unveil the best program of the past quarter century. But you might be able to guess. Here is a hint: The school begins with an ‘A.’ and plays in Class AA.
Here are some other stats I can reveal from the past 25 years:
- Upper St. Clair and Aliquippa have qualified for the playoffs the most of any team in the past quarter century. They both qualified 23 times. Jeannette and Monessen are next in line, qualifying 21 times. North Hills and Woodland Hills are next, qualifying 20 times.
- The team with the worst record over the past 25 seasons is West Shamokin with a 6-42 reocrd, a .125 percentage. But West Shamokin has been in the WPIAL only five years, so it’s really not fair to say the team has been bad for 25 years.
- The next-worst record belongs to Albert Gallatin. I never realized how bad this program has been until we crunched the numbers. The Colonials have won only 44 games in 25 years. Their record is 44-198-2, good for only a .184 percentage. They made the playoff once. The record includes a few years when the school was called Tri-Valley.
- Five teams have never been in the playoffs at any time in the past 25 years. They are West Shamokin, Deer Lakes, Southmoreland, Avella and Summit Academy. But Summit Academy has been in the WPIAL for only 11 seasons.
To see how every team has done over the past 25 years, get tomorrow’s Post-Gazette.
Aug 25 2009
By Mike White | Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1:25 p.m.
News, notes and anecdotes from preseason practices.
Aliquippa is the defending WPIAL Class AA champion and is expected to be one of the top teams again this season. But the Quips are without one of their top players.
Quarterback Rasheem Jones is out indefinitely for undisclosed reasons. Jones practiced only a few days last week and was not in uniform for the Quips' scrimmage Saturday. Aliquippa's coaches aren't giving a reason for Jones' absence. However, Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac said Jones will be back with the team this season, "but we just don't know when."
All of the great minds on our Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff were thinking of ranking Aliquippa No. 1 in Class AA - and one of the reasons was Jones. A senior, Jones has been his starter since his sophomore season. Last year, he completed 68 of 122 for 1,129 yards. As a sophomore, he was 98 of 168 for 1,524 yards.
But with Jones' uncertain status, don't look for the Quips to be at the top of the rankings at the start of the season. My thinking is No. 1 should go to either Greensburg Central Catholic or Beaver Falls. By the way, our preseason rankings will come out in Friday's first Varsity Xtra section of the year. It will preview the season in the WPIAL and City League.
The retired life
For the first time since the mid 1960s, Don Yannessa isn't coaching at a preseason training camp. Yannessa retired as Ambridge's coach after last season, but also coached at Aliquippa and Baldwin and won more than 200 games.
"I kind of like this," Yannessa said of the retired life. "Instead of getting up at 6:30 for practice, I get up at maybe 9. Instead of going to practice, I maybe cut the grass."
Yannessa and wife, Elaine, live in Aliquippa.
"I don't mind being a little bit lazy for once," Yannessa said with a laugh.
Yannessa is a colorful man and always had some great comments about anything from football - to life. When asked if he misses coaching football, he said, "Not really. I try not to allow myself to even think about it. The last couple of nights, I was dtreaming of football, things like calling plays. Like it's the fourth quarter, we're losing and I have to call a play. Then I wake up and say, 'Will you think about something else?'"
WPIAL football will miss Yannessa - and his colorful personality. But hey, it's not like he's gone. In fact, he plans on going to the Ambridge-Center scrimmage Friday, and the Ambridge-Aliquippa opener Saturday, Sept. 5.
Check this out
Max Creighan, a senior and North Hills' leading receiver last season, is out with a broken hand. ... "Schween," our longtime high school sports statistican here at the Post-Gazette, pointed this out last night. Belle Vernon's roster has a 6-foot-4, 270-pound FRESHMAN! Who knows if Dorian Johnson can play at all, but that's ridiculously big for a ninth-grader. ... Indiana will formally dedicate its new field prior to the season opener (Sept. 4) against Plum. It will be named Andy Kuzneski Field, in memory of the 1958 Indiana graduate who went on to play at Pitt.
Aug 23 2009
By Mike White | Sunday, Aug. 23, 7:35 p.m.
Canon-McMillan’s Chad Hagan participated in the first week of preseason practice, minus any contact. He is waiting to be totally cleared by a cardiologist.
"I’m supposed to be cleared Thursday," Hagan said.
Hagan, a running back-defensive back who has committed to Ohio State, has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart disorder in which there is an extra electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles. People with the syndrome may have episodes of rapid heartbeat, which is what Hagan had.
But Wolff-Parkinson-White can be treated with medicine or a procedure. Hagan had a catheter ablation procedure done a few weeks ago and says he now feels fine.
"I’m pretty sure I’ll be cleared," Hagan said. "I feel a lot better. My heart doesn’t race any more. I feel fine. The cardiologist wanted to wait a month after [the catheter ablation] before he cleared me."
Hagan’s heart problem was discovered in April when he was set to have surgery for a stress fracture in his shin.
"I was going for surgery and all of a sudden they didn’t want to put me under because the nurse said I had an irregular heartbeat," Hagan said.
Tests revealed the heart problem.
"I’ve had it my whole life," Hagan said.
Hagan said he hasn’t told Ohio State about the problem because he didn’t think it was any different than an injury.
Hagan is one of two Division I recruits for Canon-McMillan. The other is running back-linebacker Mike Hull. Hagan rushed for 493 yards on 71 carries as a freshman, did not play football as a sophomore, but rushed for 622 yards on 87 carries last season.
Look for Hagan to be featured in our "Blue Chip Chat" series later this week.
Aug 22 2009
By Mike White | Saturday, Aug. 22, 10:40 a.m.
I always find myself rooting for athletes from Western Pennsylvania to do well on the college or professional level. That's why Thursday was interesting as two former WPIAL stars made impacts that were seen on national television.
Former Mt. Lebanon baseball star Josh Wilson has apparently found baseball life with the Seattle Mariners. Thursday night, Wilson, a shortstop, had two defensive plays that were ESPN's Web Gems of the night - 1 and 1A. Wilson made the plays against the Detroit Tigers.
Wilson is playing for injured Jack Wilson (remember him?) and Josh Wilson is excelling. Since Aug. 13, he is hitting .345 with three home runs. To put that in perspective, consider Wilson had two home runs - IN HIS CAREER before this latest outburst. Makes you think the Mariners might not rush Jack Wilson back into the lineup.
The Mariners claimed Josh Wilson off waivers in June. Wilson had played for Arizona and San Diego this season. Let's see if the hot streak lasts. Wilson hit his third home run last night against Cleveland.
Now on to another WPIAL alum who showed on ESPN Thursday night. Former Sto-Rox star Adam DiMichele played much of the second half as quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. DiMichele was fairly impressive. He made a few errant throws, but also some good ones as he completed 14 of 22 passes for 130 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. He also threw a 21-yard touchdown pass late in the game. DiMichele, a former Post-Gazette Athlete of the Year who played at Temple, was signed by the Eagles in the spring, cut in the summer, but signed again a few weeks ago. Against the Colts, he wasn't going against first-team players. But then again, he didn't have a first-team offensive line or first-team receivers on his side. Also, no one is expecting the rookie DiMichele to challenge for the first-team job.
With Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and A.J. Feeley all on the Eagles' roster, DiMichele is probably playing for a practice squad spot. But the way he looked against the Colts, he might deserve it. He showed a good arm and some ability to move. At the very least, he might have showed enough to get some other teams interested.
And think about this for DiMichele. Let's say he makes the Eagles. How many athletes in WPIAL history can say they went on to make an NFL roster and also were taken in the Major League Baseball draft at some point in their careers. DiMichele can make that statement. On top of that, I always thought he was a good enough athlete in basketball to play at the low Division I college level or maybe Division II.
Aug 20 2009
By Mike White | Thursday, Aug. 20, 8 p.m.
Notes, quotes and anecdotes from around WPIAL training camps.
Avella’s lack of players got so bad last season that a girl joined the squad late in the season to help the Eagles. This year?
"No girls," said Avella coach Frank Gray. "That was just last year."
At one point last season, Avella had only 13 players on the team and had trouble fielding 11 after a few injuries in one game. Things are actually worse this season as only 18 are out for the team. That is one less than the start of last season. Avella was 0-9 last year.
But Gray says this year is different because "the kids we had last year weren’t as tough."
Some players quit the team last year, but Gray doesn’t see that happening again. He is encouraged by this team and believes the Eagles will be improved. He’s now calling the team the "Fightin’ Eagles."
"With some injuries that will probably occur, we’ll be down into the middle teens again, but these kids have a great attitude," Gray said. "We’re hoping our numbers get better, but our school enrollment just isn’t there."
Avella is the third-smallest school in the WPIAL. According to the most recent WPIAL enrollment figures (two years ago), Avella had fewer than 100 boys in grades 10-12. Only Geibel and Mapletown are smaller schools.
FACING CRITICISM
Stopped at North Allegheny yesterday and while there spoke with lineman Tom Ricketts, who will be featured in our "Blue Chip Chat" series within the next few days. Ricketts is a Penn State recruit and he had some interesting things to say how he was treated after he committed to Penn State in June.
Many had Ricketts pegged for Pitt. His father, Tom, was a standout offensive lineman at Pitt in the 1980s, his mother was a swimmer there and his great grandfather was an All-American there. Ricketts read some internet message boards where he was criticized for not picking Pitt, but that wasn’t all.
"I had something like nine people threatening me on Facebook, sending me messages," Ricketts said. "I’m a 17-year-old high school kid and one guy sent me a huge novel titled ‘Loyalty.’ He just went off on how my family all went to Pitt and how I am the worst thing that has ever happened. All I did was decide where I’m going to college. What’s different from me and any other kid?
"It bothered me some, but I guess it fuels me more than anything. I like proving people wrong. It’s motivation."
NA GETS PIECE OF THE ROCK
Kevin Rock is coaching high school football again.
Rock was the offensive coordinator at Pine-Richland during Kevin McCabe’s time at quarterback. Rock then moved on to be an assistant coach at St. Francis (Pa.), but is back at North Allegheny as an assistant coach.
Rock is a North Allegheny graduate and is taking classes to get his teaching degree. It’s a nice addition to North Allegheny’s staff as Rock was highly-respected during his days at Pine-Richland
Aug 19 2009
By Mike White | Wednesday, Aug. 19, 4:15 p.m.
Day three on the road tour around football training camps in Western Pennsylvania.
A year ago, Hopewell's Rushel Shell had one of the best seasons of any freshman in WPIAL history. And for his sophomore season, he's learning a new trick.
Defense.
That's right. The kid who was named by maxpreps.com as Freshman of the Year for the entire country last season, will be playing defense this season, most likely cornerback. It's a good move by Hopewell coach Dave Vestal. I know how valuable Shell is on offense and how he could have a tremendous future as a running back. But this is high school football. If you're a well-built 5-11, 215-pound sophomore with strength and quickness, you shouldn't be standing on the sideline when the defense is on the field. At least not in Western Pennsylvania.
"When you have a kid like that, you need to get him his touches on offense," Vestal said. "But he's going to have to play defense, too. If he gets a break in games this year, it will be on defense. But he understands that his conditioning level has to be higher and better because of him going both ways."
Rushell Shell will get plenty of rushing attempts this season, but will also play defense.
Shell rushed for 1,576 yards on 181 carries as a freshman and had three consecutive 200-yard rushing games. He was the first freshman to ever make the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 - and he already has a scholarship offer from Pitt.
Shell has added about five pounds since last season, and he is awfully impressive looking physically. He certainly doesn't look like a 15-year-old sophomore. It's hard to believe this kid doesn't lift weights much. His physique comes mostly natural - and from doing some pushups, pullups and just a little bit of work with weights.
When asked if he has any goals for this season, Shell said, "I just want the team to go farther than we did last year – and I want to play better than I did last year."
Shell did not practice in full pads this morning because of a stiff lower back. But he said he will be "fine."
"He looks very explosive and very confident," Vestal said. "He's probably better than last year. We had him and some other guys competing for the position last year. We don't have that this year. This year, I think you can tell the difference in him. He knows more about what he's doing and what blocks he has to read."
Shell will probably receive loads of publicity in the next few years, if he keeps progressing. Vestal doesn't think the attention is a bad thing.
"I think it's a great situation to be in, to have a player of his caliber," Vestal said. "His character has been tremendous so far. We talk all the time in one-on-ones about making proper decisions, being responsible and understanding that your actions affect your teammates. I think as long as you keep talking about those things and be proactive with anything that arises, everything will be OK. He's only a sophomore, don't forget. But he's very coachable."
Look for Shell to be featured in our daily series "Blue Chip Chat" in tomorrow's paper and on line.
About the team
Hopewell made it to the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals last year. The Post-Gazette preseason rankings do not come out until next Friday (Aug. 28). But you can bet Hopewell will be somewhere in the top five.
"We have six players back on both sides of the ball, but we still have to plug in some big holes," Vestal said. "Losing our fullback and quarterback from last year is big."
Shell's numbers
Shell's freshman rushing total is one of the best in WPIAL history. The No. 1 freshman total is believed to be 1,613 yards, by Fort Cherry's Mike Vernillo in 1996.
Standing Pat
It's impressive to see Pat Tarquinio still coaching as an assistant to Vestal at Hopewell. He won't tell you his age, but he's still going strong - in his 54th training camp. Most people don't realize that he is the third-winningest coach in WPIAL history. He had a record of 269-143-11 in 41 seasons at Ellwood City and Beaver (1959-99).
"I still have the drive. I love the game," Tarq said while watching Hopewell practice.
It's always interesting to hear stories from Tarquinio. This morning, he was talking about the olden days of the WPIAL playoffs, and how he would've had more victories if the playoffs were like today.
"In 1967, we only had a tie and didn't get in the playoffs," Tarquinio said. "In 1968, we were undefeated. Didn't lose a game. And we didn't get in because of Gardner Points. In 1978, we were 9-1 and didn't get in."
Through almost half of Tarquinio's career, the WPIAL had only championship games and no playoffs. Participants in the championship game were determined by Gardner Points.
The Art of North Allegheny
Speaking of veteran coaches still going strong, I popped in North Allegheny today and saw Art Walker is still coaching at age 73. He's still an assistant at North Allegheny for his son, Art. The elder Art was a longtime coach at Mt. Lebanon and then had a short stint at Shady Side Academy.
Game time already
If you don't think the PIAA made an error starting football season so late this season, consider this: The first Rivals.com national game of the week is Ensworth, Tenn., against Murfreesboro, Tenn. The game is tomorrow night!!!!!!!!
And the PIAA recently voted against starting the season earlier next year and ending it earlier. Look how early Tennessee starts and it's warmer there in the summer than Pennsylvania.
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