Brownish tint

 Mike White | 12:55 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008

Notes, anecdotes and thoughts after the second weekend of high school football.

If the WPIAL football season lasted two weeks, the player of the year would be Seneca Valley quarterback C.J. Brown.

Brown has been the WPIAL's most impressive player in the first two weeks. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in both games and also has been a threat running. In a 38-33 victory against Erie McDowell Thursday on FSN Pittsburgh television, Brown completed 25 of 37 for 304 yards and rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns.

But Brown isn't just about statistics. He is talented. It says here he's the best quarterback in the WPIAL this season and he might eventually be good enough to have an impact at the University of Maryland. He made a verbal commitment to the Terrapins in the spring. It also says here that he's as good in high school as Pitt quarterback Bill Stull was at Seton-LaSalle. He's also at least as good as Pitt's Pat Bostick was at Manheim Township. In fact, Brown might be even better than both. That's not a knock at Stull or Bostick, but Brown is more athletic.

Brown is 6 feet 4, 190 pounds and this should tell you a little about his athletic ability. A Seneca Valley basketball assistant in the press box Thursday night said Brown was doing 360 degree slam dunks on the basketball court recently. Brown is expected to be one of the top basketball players in WPIAL Class AAAA this season. And for any of those who think Brown might not play basketball because of his football future, forget it. His father said he is definitely playing basketball. In fact, truth be told, C.J. has said in the past that he actually liked basketball the best. But he knew football was his future.

* Brown's receiver, Matt Plautz, also has been impressive with 18 catches in two games. The two are lucky to play in Ron Butschle's spread offense. Plautz is a 6-4 receiver and there is a chance he could end up at Pitt. Plautz said he attended Pitt's season opener and believes he has a decent shot at being offered a scholarship in the next few weeks. If Pitt does offer, look for Plautz to accept.

* You have to feel good for Coach Pat Monroe, who has South Allegheny off to a 2-0 start in his first season as the Gladiators' coach. The guy did a lot of good - on and off the field - during his days at Duquesne High before the school closed. South Allegheny hasn't exactly faced the stiffest competiton (Brownsville and Waynesburg), but starting 2-0 is quite a feat at South Allegheny. The Gladiators have won more than two games only twice in the past 10 seasons.The good times might end next week, though. South Allegheny plays at Jeannette.

* Biggest shock of Friday night was Quaker Valley defeating South Fayette, 15-14. Quaker Valley has been horrible for years while South Fayette was expected to challenge for the Class AA Century Conference title.

* Kudos to Carrick coach Jeff McCafferty for what he's done at Carrick. The Raiders were a City League doormat for years, but McCafferty got them to the playoffs last year. Now, Carrick is 2-0 and beat Allderdice Friday. That means Carrick will now be the City's No. 2-ranked team behind Brashear.

* While Carrick rises, Connellsville continues to fall. What has happened to this once-proud Connellsville program? The Falcons have been outscored, 101-7, in two games against Uniontown and Woodland Hills. This program has been slipping ever since the Connellsville school board got rid of Dan Spanish in 2003. Spanish had a 190-111-8 record in 29 years. True, his teams were starting to struggle as the Falcons were 10-20 his final three years. But what does that school board say to this: Connellsville is 12-38 since Spanish left and the Falcons' offense is nowhere to be found. They scored only 68 points in nine games last season.

* Gateway's Dorian Bell (Ohio State recruit) is known for his ability at linebacker. But he showed his overall athletic ability in Friday's game, rushing for 105 yards.

* You think maybe some media outlets had Monessen a little overrated at the beginning of the season? Monessen has lost its first two games. True, they were against No. 1-ranked Rochester and No. 2 Clairton. But Monessen has not scored a point in either game. Some media outlets had Monessen as high as No. 1 in WPIAL Class A.

* Funny comment from Montour coach Lou Cerro before his team's game Friday against Highlands. Cerro was dressed in black dress pants, black shoes, a black dress shirt and a black tie. When asked why all the black, Cerro said, "We're trying to go with the Johnny Cash look."

* Here's something a little different: Highlands took pregame warmups in shorts. 

* You don't see this very often anymore, either. Highlands uses a wishbone formation on offense. "We don't have a true tailback," said Coach Sam Albert. "This gives us a power game with some misdirection. We don't even call it a wishbone. We call it power bone. It's not like the wishbone most people are used to seeing."

Question of the Week

 Mike White | 1:44 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

As part of our Varsity Xtra section on Fridays, we want input from you on our "Question of the Week." And we'll publish some of your answers in the Varsity Xtra session on Fridays. You can eamil your comments to highschool@post-gazette.com, or put your answers to the question on "Varsity Blog," by simply signing up for an account on the left. In order to publish your comments in the paper, we need your first name and town.

This week's question is: Many areas around the state start high school football games at 7 p.m. But just about every WPIAL school starts at 7:30. Should starting times be moved up to 7, and why?

Varsity XTra. Coming tomorrow.

Coming tomorrow ...

It will change the way you look at high school sports. Forever.

Herb Pope to Seton Hall ... looks like a done deal

By Colin Dunlap | 6:14 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

According to this story in today's Las Cruces Sun-News, it looks like former Aliquippa standout and noted basketball vagabond Herb Pope is taking his game to Seton Hall.

The story says, among other things:

* Pope said he also received interest from Duquesne, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Robert Morris and West Virginia. But it was Seton Hall that had an available scholarship and Pope said the other pieces fit as well.

* Pope said he made his decision in the last two days. He said he hopes to receive a waiver from the NCAA in order to play immediately.

* "I have family matters back home and I wanted to get closer to the east coast," Pope said. "I am a father and I want to get closer to my daughter because I don't want her to go through the same things that I went through."

What are your thoughts on Herb Pope's transfer?

Take the time and interact on Varsity Blog. Just sign up for an account...it is painless and easy, I promise. Do it here: http://community.post-gazette.com/user/CreateUser.aspx

Week 2 Pennsylvania Football News Rankings

Colin Dunlap | 10:09 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2

Week 2 Pennsylvania Football News Rankings

Class AAAA:
 

1. Gateway (7) (1-0), Defeated Penn Hills, 44-17, (1)

2. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (1-0), Defeated Parkland (20-13) (5)

3. Bishop McDevitt (3), (1-0)Defeated Harrisburg, 42-6, (10)

4. Parkland (11) (0-1), Lost to St. Joseph's Preps, (20-13) (2)

5. Wilson (3) (1-0), Defeated Governor Mifflin, 35-14, (9)

6. North Penn (1) (1-0) Defeated Bethlehem Liberty (23-15) (OTW)

7. Cardinal O'Hara (12) (1-0) Defeated Archbishop Carroll, 35-0 (OTW)

8. McKeesport Area (7), (0-1) Lost to Colrain (OH), 14-7 (OT) (6)

9. Garnet Valley (1) (1-0) Defeated Harriton, 42-6 (OTW)

10. Altoona Area (6) (1-0) Defeated North Allegheny, 28-21, (OTW)

Class AAA:
1. Strong Vincent (10) (1-0), Defeated General McLane, 41-20, (3)

2. West Scranton (2) (1-0), Defeated Scranton Prep, 13-7, (2)

3. Thomas Jefferson (7) (0-1), Lost to Glenville (OH) 34-13, (1)

4. Montour (7) (1-0), Defeated Pine-Richland, 35-27, (5)

5. Berwick Area (2) (1-0), Defeated Crestwood, 31-17) (8)

6. Manheim Central (3) (1-0), Defeated Susquehannock, 32-10, (9)

7. Wilson (11) (1-0), Defeated Salisbury, 45-0, (10)

8. Lansdale Catholic (12), (1-0)Defeated Downingtown East, 14-7 (OTW)

9. Blackhawk (7) (1-0) Defeated Hampton, 41-7, (OTW)

10. Abington Heights (2) (0-1), Lost to Hazleton Area, 18-17 (OT) (6)

Class AA:

1. Dunmore (2) (1-0) Defeated Mid Valley, 42-21, (1)

2. Beaver Falls (7) (1-0) Defeated Riverside, 37-0 (2)

3. Aliquippa (7) (1-0) Defeated Ambridge, 21-0 (2)

4. Jeannette (7) (1-0) Defeated East Allegheny, 43-0 (4)

5. West Catholic (12) (1-0) Defeated Roman Catholic, 34-28 (OT)

6. Tyrone Area (6) (1-0) Defeated Bellwood-Antis, 27-6 (6)

7. Trinity (3) (1-0) Defeated Lancaster Catholic, 20-0 (7)

8. Loyalsock Twp. (4) (1-0) Defeated Central Columbia, 21-8, (8)

9. Greensburg Central Catholic (7) (1-0) Defeated Charleroi, 34-0 (OTW)

10. Mount Carmel Area (4) (1-0) Defeated Selinsgrove, 14-0 (OTW)

Class A:
 

1. Steelton-Highspire (3) (1-0) Defeated Susquehanna Twp., 16-14 (1)

2. Riverside (2) (1-0) Defeated Old Forge, 42-6 (3)

3. Schuylkill Haven (11) (1-0) Defeated Tri-Valley, 47-14, (4)

4. Southern Columbia (4) (1-0) Defeated Shamokin, 35-22, (5)

5. Bishop McCort (6) (1-0) Defeated Cambria Heights, 48-0, (6)

6. Marian Catholic (11) (1-0), Defeated Lehighton, 28-14, (7)

7. Rochester (7) (1-0), Defeated Monessen (10-0) (9)

8. Clairton (7) (1-0)Defeated Laurel, 41-0, (OTW)

9. Bloomsburg (4) (1-0) Defeated Muncy (20-0)

10. Monessen (7) (0-1), Lost to Rochester Area, 10-0 (2)

Central QB Krivijanski likely out for year

Colin Dunlap | 5:53 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1

In the postgame press conference, there was some terrible news for Central Catholic. Vikings coach Terry Totten said early indications are that starting quarterback Nolan Krivijanski tore his ACL and he will likely be out for the season.

Central Catholic-Lakeland LIVE BLOG 09/01/08

Colin Dunlap | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

FINAL

35

0

5:01 p.m. --- Lakeland scores again.

           Dreadnaughts 35, Central 0 ---- 5:12 remaining in the 4th

4:49 p.m. --- Central is mounting a little bit of an offensive punch. The Vikings have mustered a first down on this drive and have pushed the ball out to the 38...we'll see what happens when the final quarter gets underway. 

END OF THIRD QUARTER

28

0

4:37 p.m. --- Probably a formality at this point. But it should be mentioned that Lakeland scored again. Running back Aaron Trudell bounced outside and rolled in from the 21.

                   Lakeland 28, Central 0 --- 6:43 left in the 3rd quarter

4:29 p.m. --- Second half kickoff. Central kicks to Lakeland.

4:05 p.m. ---

HALFTIME

21

0

Some thoughts:

*This Lakeland team is in another stratosphere than Central...and probably every other WPIAL Class AAAA team not named Gateway.

*When people talk about all this speed in high school football in Florida, they are not overstating it.

*Central would do well to win their conference this year. But, from the looks of this first half, even with how strong Lakeland is, it would be hard to think they could win a WPIAL title if they play like this.

*I think Central is prepared, but there is not a lot they can do because they are so athletically inferior.

3:50 p.m. --- The good news: Central hasn't given up a point in the second quarter yet.

The bad news: It is very clear they are tremendously overmatched.

                   Lakeland 21, Central Catholic 0 --- 3:30 left in the 2nd quarter.

3:39 p.m. --- By the way, Lakeland has a ridiculous website for a high school football program. It is quite possibly, the finest in the country devoted to a single team. You can view it at http://lakelandfootball.com/

3:36 p.m. ---

END OF THE FIRST QUARTER

21

0

3:33 p.m. --- Trouble trouble, trouble. This might be done already. Sophomore Steward Butler just went 40 yards for the third Lakeland score of the first quarter. 

           Lakeland 21, Central 0 --- :06 left in the 1st quarter. 

3:22 p.m. --- Tack another on for Lakeland. This doesn't look good for Central.

           Lakeland 14, Central 0 --- 5:07 left in the 1st quarter.

Incidentally, I wanted to show you a shot of the Lakeland Stadium just so you get a feel of exactly the level of a football program Central is playing today. Look at the following picture. We have nothing like this in Western Pennsylvania:

3:18 p.m. --- Um, well, that ain't good for the boys from Fifth Avenue.

Lakeland took the ball, on their very first offensive play, 80 yards when running back Javares McRoy scored.

        Lakeland 7, Central 0 --- 6:59 1st quarter.

3:12 p.m. --- Bad, bad, bad news for Central Catholic, and it could be something that goes deeper than just this game. On the third snap, starting quarterback Nolan Krivijanski went down and had to be helped from the field. Looked like some sort of leg injury. Not good for the Vikings. Backup David Smyers has been inserted into the game. The drive stalled and kicker Matt Oczypok's 44-yard field goal was short.

3:05 p.m. --- Pregame over. Central to receive the kick. And receive they did -- Kyle Wilson brought the opening kick out across midfield where Central will take over, first and 10 at Lakeland's 42.

FRIENDS OF COAL FOOTBALL CLASSIC LIVE BLOG 09.01.08

Colin Dunlap | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

WHEELING, W.Va.

2:47 p.m. -- First off: Glenville 34, Thomas Jefferson 13 FINAL

Some game highlights: Robert Walton ran for 134 yards for Glenville, Brian Baldrige led TJ with 78 yards rushing. The biggest stat: Glenville amassed 416 yards of offense, TJ mustered 274.

All in all, and Bill Cherpak said it in the postgame press conference, TJ won't see a team all year in PIAA Class AAA competition with the mixture of size and speed that Glenville had.

2:10 p.m. -- Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick .... Glenville is chewing up the clock, putting together first down after first down via the ground. Looks like it is just a matter of time.

             Glenville 28, Thomas Jefferson 13 -- 4:56 left in the 4th quarter

2:05 p.m. -- While Thomas Jefferson is still in this game, their chances are dwindling by the second. They just got nothing on another offensive possession and had to punt. Glenville now has the ball on their own 25 with 8:06 left...if they score here, it is over.

2:00 p.m. -- Truth be told, TJ is still in this game, even as it looks as if they have been grossly overplayed.

             Glenville 28, Thomas Jefferson 13, end of 3rd quarter

1:44 p.m. -- And there is the counterpunch. And the TJ fans just got reeeeeeeeaaaaaaal quiet, reeeeeeeeaaaaaaal quick. After the TJ score (and iffy call on the ensuing kickoff), Glenville stormed right down the field. The drive was capped off by a short run from Ethan Cargill for the Glenville score.

            Glenville 28, Thomas Jefferson 13, 5:26, 3rd quarter

1:38 p.m. --- Kind of an iffy call on the kickoff just after the TJ touchdown. TJ's Steve Licht came up on the cover team and hammered the Glenville returner, popping the ball loose at about the 20. But the officials said the ground caused the fumble. Did it? Didn't it? I can't say yes or no, I mean, I am sitting way up here in the press box. But I will say that TJ coach Bill Cherpak was furious with the officials for not ruling a fumble. Take that for what it is worth.

1:35 p.m. --- TOUCHDOWN THOMAS JEFFERSON. Brian Baldrige just punched it in from the 3 over the left side of the line. We have a game, ladies and gentlemen. TJ refuses to fade. Now, if they want to win, they need a stop (or two, or three).

          Glenville 21, Thomas Jefferson 13, 8:41, 3rd quarter

1:30 p.m. --- Second half kickoff. TJ receives.

1:09 p.m.

HALFTIME

21

6

12:53 p.m. -- When it looked like TJ was about to draw even -- or at least closer -- the Jaguars were done-in by a bit of a bad decision. TJ had driven deep into Glenville territory, and had a 2nd-and-goal on the 6. The play broke down and, rather than throwing it away, the competitor in Tyler Wehner kept the play alive (to his credit) but he scrambled, threw off his back foot and threw an INT in the end zone.

Just a few plays after, Glenville made them pay. Michael Edwards caught a 47-yard TD, the point after was good and here we stand:

             Glenville 21, Thomas Jefferson 6, 1:15 2nd quarter.

12:47 p.m. -- TJ has Glenville on their heels now. Total momentum shift. The Jaguars have the ball on a first-and-goal on the Glenville 6 with 3:06 to play before halftime.

To be quite honest, Glenville is having some trouble defending TJ tight end Brock DeCicco, who even when he doesn't catch the ball, is drawing a large amount of attention.

12:43 p.m. -- To their credit, TJ has their feet under them now and the Jaguars have not been frazzled too much. They are moving the ball on this offensive series and have broken into Glenville territory. With about 7 minutes left, TJ has a first down on the Glenville 38.

12:34 p.m. -- End of the first quarter, Glenville 14, Thomas Jefferson 6.

Some thoughts:

*It is very clear that Thomas Jefferson is the team playing in its first game of the year, while Glenville has a week under their belts. Glenville is, flat-out, sharper.

*Speed, speed, speed. Glenville has so much, they look like a team from South Florida.

*TJ quarterback Tyler Wehner is still working to grasp the offense.

If you have a comment or question about today's games, or just a general comment or question, e-mail me at cdunlap@post-gazette.com

12:26 p.m. -- BAM! Just like that Glenville shows that while everyone talks about its size, it is probably their speed advantage that is their biggest upside against a team like TJ. Michael Edwards ran a deft post-route leaving TJ corner Dan Virgin fooled (and playing catch-up). It all ended up with a Glenville 39-yard score.

     Glenville 14, Thomas Jefferson 6, 2:29 1st.

12:15 p.m. -- Good news, bad news for TJ. QB Tyler Wehner threw a masterful ball to Dan Virgin on a fourth down play for a 14-yard touchdown to narrow it to 7-6. But, that is where it stayed because kicker Mike Wainauskis pushed the point after wide. 

            Glenville 7, Thomas Jefferson 6 --- 6:21 1st.

12:07 p.m. -- TJ is rallying back nicely after the initial shock of getting scored on. The Jaguars have pushed the ball across midfield on their first series. As it is now, TJ has a second-and-5 at Glenville's 44.

12 noon -- Bad news for TJ, already. On the very first offensive play, Glenville QB Terrence Owens hit Shane Wynn for a 50-yard gainer. Then, three plays after that RB Ethan Cargill punched it in from the 2.

               Glenville 7, Thomas Jefferson 0 --- 10:54 1st.

11:59 a.m. -- About to get it underway. TJ will kickoff to Glenville.

11:31 a.m. -- As I watch pregame warmups, what roars through my head is, well, what was expected --- Thomas Jefferson's opponent, Glenville, Ohio, is big, VERY big. On our Varsity Video show this week leading up to the game, I picked Thomas Jefferson to win. I'm sticking with that, but, uh, I don't know.

11:22 a.m. -- We are here in Wheeling. The first thought: what a beautiful stadium, tremendous place. As our Post-Gazette contingent walked in (myself, Mike White and Bob Schwerin) we were met by Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak. Immediately Cherpak said, "This would be the perfect kind of venue for a state championship."

Indeed.

If you have a comment or question about today's games, or just a general comment or question, e-mail me at cdunlap@post-gazette.com

Winning without Rodkey

Mike White | 1:42 a.m. Sat., Aug. 30

Notes and anecdotes after the first night of the high school football season.

* Gateway was impressive in its 45-17 victory against Penn Hills Friday. But what makes Gateway’s offensive performance a little more impressive is the Gators played without one of their top offensive linemen.

Colin Rodkey, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound senior and Indiana University recruit, has not practiced this season because of problems with his left shoulder. Rodkey had surgery on the shoulder in the spring and it is not completely healed.

“He’s a big loss,” said Gateway coach Terry Smith. “We don’t know when he’s coming back, either. Doctors are saying maybe midseason, but it will take a few weeks to get him ready when he does come back.”

* I knew Gateway receiver-defensive back Corey Brown was good, but he’s better than I thought. He breaks on the ball well at defensive back, and his long body makes him tough to cover as a receiver. He made an excellent catch against Penn Hills for a touchdown. An Ohio State recruit, Brown is full of potential.

* New Penn Hills coach Ron Graham wasn’t in a talkative mood after his first game. He declined to comment to reporters.

Meanwhile, it couldn’t have been a better start for former Penn Hills coach Neil Gordon, who is now at Shaler. The Titans’ Dan McGinley returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

* Penn Hills’ school board ousted Gordon as coach, so what do you think Gordon enjoyed more? Shaler’s win or Penn Hills’ loss?

I heard a few people at the Penn Hills-Gateway game say Gordon wouldn’t have lost so badly to Gateway. Well, consider this: Gateway beat Penn Hills, 45-7, last year.

* Former Gateway star Cam Saddler attended the Gateway-Penn Hills game, climbing into the press box on crutches. Saddler had surgery Monday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, suffered in a practice at Pitt, where Saddler is a freshman.

“I was pretty depressed this week, but I’m starting to feel better,” Saddler said. “Coming out here helps.”

Shayne Hale, another former Gateway star who is a freshman at Pitt, also attended the Penn Hills-Gateway game. Hale very likely will redshirt at Pitt.

* Jeff McAnallen took over as Butler’s coach last year while former Butler coach Garry Cathell took over at Elizabeth Forward. Neither coach won a game last year, but both got their first victories Friday. Butler defeated New Castle, 28-21, while Elizabeth Forward beat Yough, 35-14.

* Here’s another knock against the much-maligned Keystone Conference. Mount Pleasant won the Keystone the past two seasons before dropping “down” to Class AA this season. The Vikings were shut out by Class AA McGuffey, 28-0. The Keystone has gone 0-4 in the WPIAL playoffs seven years in a row.

* Most impressive performance of the first night might go to Highlands quarterback Jeff Sinclair, who threw for 154 yards and rushed for 106 in a 24-16 victory against Fox Chapel.

* Early pick for WPIAL game of the week next Friday: Montour at Highlands.

* I don’t ever remember WPIAL teams playing Labor Day, but two will be playing interesting games in the Friends of Coal Classic Monday in Wheeling, W.Va.

Central Catholic plays Lakeland, Fla., at noon. Lakeland is a perennial power in Florida and has won two “mythical” national championships in USA Today.

At 3 p.m, Thomas Jefferson plays Glenville, Ohio. Glennville is the alma mater of Ted Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith, a former Heisman Trophy winner. Ted Ginn Sr. is Glenville’s coach.

* Jeannette has now won 24 games in a row against WPIAL teams.

The Fumbler - 08/29/08

The Fumbler sent the following to me and asked that I post this for him on Varsity Blog. Thanks for reading. - Colin Dunlap

By  THE FUMBLER | 1:25 a.m. Aug. 29, 2008

Welcome to the wild world of The Fumbler. For the first time ever, this year, I am going to make my identity known -- at least as much as you can tell from my photo above.

I'd like to play a little a really big game with you this season. I want you to try to find me, as I will be at a high school game every week.

Here's a hint for tonight: I will be at a game in Westmoreland County involving a Class AAAA team against a Class AAA team. Normally, I sit just below the press box entrance. So, if you can figure out who I am, come up and say hello. And maybe, just maybe, I'll extend my hand to you, shake your hand and admit that it is really me...or maybe I won't. 

Anyway, here are all of my picks for this weekend:

This afternoon

CITY LEAGUE -- Oliver over Langley.

Tonight

CITY LEAGUE -- Schenley over Westinghouse.

WPIAL CLASS AA -- (Allegheny Conference) Apollo-Ridge over DEER LAKES; Burrell over WEST SHAMOKIN; VALLEY over Ford City; Kittanning over FREEPORT. (Century) Bishop Canevin over QUAKER VALLEY; STO-ROX over Cornell; Keystone Oaks over STEEL VALLEY; SETON-LASALLE over Northgate; South Fayette over SOUTH PARK. (Interstate) JEANNETTE over East Allegheny; SOUTH ALLEGHENY over Brownsville; Greensburg Central Catholic over CHARLEROI; Mount Pleasant over MCGUFFEY; WASHINGTON over Waynesburg. (Midwestern) Beaver over NEW BRIGHTON; Beaver Falls over RIVERSIDE; FREEDOM over Ellwood City; CENTER over Mohawk.

NON-CONFERENCE -- ALBERT GALLATIN over Wilkinsburg; Belle Vernon over LAUREL HIGHLANDS; BETHEL PARK over Kiski Area; Beth-Center over CARLYNTON; Blackhawk over HAMPTON; CALIFORNIA over Frazier; CANON-MCMILLAN over Trinity; Chartiers-Houston over WEST GREENE; CLAIRTON over Laurel; Connellsville over UNIONTOWN; Fort Cherry over CARMICHAELS.

Franklin Regional over SOUTHMORELAND; GATEWAY over Penn Hills; Hempfield over GREENSBURG SALEM; Highlands over FOX CHAPEL; Indiana over PLUM; JEFFERSON-MORGAN over Leechburg; Knoch over HOPEWELL; Latrobe over DERRY; MAPLETOWN over Bentworth; Mars over MOON; MONESSEN over Rochester; MONTOUR over Pine-Richland; NEW CASTLE over Butler; North Allegheny over ALTOONA; North Hills over MT. LEBANON; RINGGOLD over Peters Township; Seneca Valley over NORWIN; Serra over NORTH CATHOLIC.

SHALER over Baldwin; Springdale over MONACA; Upper St. Clair over PENN-TRAFFORD; West Allegheny over CHARTIERS VALLEY; WEST MIFFLIN over Allderdice; WILMINGTON over Brentwood; Yough over ELIZABETH FORWARD.

Tomorrow afternoon

CITY LEAGUE -- Brashear over PERRY; PEABODY over Carrick.

WPIAL CLASS AA -- (Allegheny Conference) Shady Side Academy over SUMMIT ACADEMY.

NON-CONFERENCE -- Aliquippa over AMBRIDGE; GEIBEL over Avella; Avonworth over WESTERN BEAVER; KENNEDY CATHOLIC over Neshannock; RIVERVIEW over Shenango.

Tomorrow night

NON-CONFERENCE -- McKeesport over Colerain, Ohio; Woodland Hills over Justin Northwest, Texas.

Monday afternoon

NON-CONFERENCE -- Lakeland, Fla., over Central Catholic; Thomas Jefferson over Glenville, Ohio.

Herb Pope to Seton Hall?

Colin Dunlap | 4:33 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 28

Could former Aliquippa basketball star Herb Pope be headed for the Big East Conference, touching down at Seton Hall?

Well, this much is known --- According to this story yesterday in the Newark Star-Ledger by Colin Stephenson Pope received his release from New Mexico State last week and took an official visit to Seton Hall last weekend.

 Pope has already led a sort of vagabond existence (as detailed in this New York Times piece and several Post-Gazette pieces).

Also, Pope might be known just as much for getting shot and running into some other off-the-court troubles, but one thing is for certain, his basketball abilities have never been questioned.

It will be interesting to see where Pope ends up.

Here is what Pope did, on the floor, as a freshman last year at New Mexico State. It is taken directly from the NMSU Sports Information website:

2007-08 (Freshman): Herb Pope was an immediate contributor for the Aggies in his freshman campaign. He ranking third on the team in points (11.1) and rebounds per game (6.8) and was named to the All-WAC Newcomer team. Pope was the first freshman at NMSU to garner that honor. In 16 appearances and 12 games started, he recorded a 45. 6 field goal percentage, 28 assists and 11 blocks. Pope had 11 games in double-figures along with a pair of contests with double-digit rebounding efforts. His best two performances were in the final games of the season against Nevada and Boise State in the WAC Tournament. Pope had his first career double-double versus the Wolf Pack (March 14) with 18 points and 13 rebounds. In the triple overtime WAC Tournament title game against Boise State (March 15), he posted a career-high 20 points, which was also a team high. Pope began a three-game span of double-digit scoring games with 12 points in the first meeting of the year against Nevada (Jan. 24), which was only his second conference game. He followed that showing with 15 points versus Utah State (Jan. 26) and 16 points at Hawai’i (Jan. 31). Pope generated six-straight games in double-figures; 10 points versus Boise State (Feb. 9), 10 points at Louisiana Tech (Feb. 14), 14 points against Long Beach State (Feb. 23), 13 points at Nevada (Feb. 28) 11 points at Fresno State (March 1) and 12 points versus San Jose State (March 6). His 14 points against Long Beach State was a game high in the O’Reilly ESPNU BracketBuster. In the WAC games, Pope ranked in the top 10 in two rebounding categories. He tied for seventh in rebounds per game (6.5) and fourth in defensive rebounds per game (4.75).

Art Walker/Joe Girardi - Separated at birth?

Colin Dunlap | 9:02 a.m., Thurs., Aug. 28

It hit me last night while watching the 1,263,376,478,247,464th nationally televised Yankees-Red Sox game in the last decade. No, it wasn't the fact that ESPN thinks the whole world should stop when these two teams play -- that hit me long ago.

What hit me hard was when Yankees manager Joe Girardi popped onto the screen a few times. I kept quizically saying to myself, "He looks exactly like someone I know."

Well, it finally hit me. Girardi is a dead ringer for North Allegheny football coach Art Walker. I'll let the photographic evidence speak loudest. Girardi is pictured first, then Walker:

VARSITY VIDEO 8.27.08

By Colin Dunlap ][ 10:34 a.m. Wednesday

Last Fan Standing Contest

By Colin Dunlap ][ 5:12 p.m. Tuesday

We have begun a new venture here at Post-Gazette.com involving high school football and, more to the point, picking the winners of high school football games.

It is called Last Fan Standing (as if you couldn't tell from the graphic above) and it is contest where you get the chance to select 10 games and put your picks up against mine and Mike White's.

Check it out, all the details are HERE

Joel Macias --- Jeannette's little big man

By Colin Dunlap ][ 6:26 p.m. Sunday

You want a kid who has some heart -- meet Jeannette freshman football player Joel Macias.

He plays on the varsity team as a defense back/receiver.

He's 4 feet 7, 75 pounds. Let me run that by you again so you fully grasp it --- Joel Macias is 4 feet 7, 75 pounds.

Again, he is just 75 pounds!

Thanks to my Web friend and super-blogger Dave Kubovcik over at jeannettejayhawksfootball.blogspot.com we have some video of Joel Macias making a hit in Jeannette's scrimmage last week against Seton-LaSalle.

If you root for the underdog, or heck, if you just love all that football stands for, you have to love this video. Enjoy: