Seneca Valley

Last week: Franz, a 5-foot-11 senior captain on the Raiders volleyball team, was key in knocking off the top two ranked teams in WPIAL Class AAA -- North Allegheny and Pine-Richland.

Check this out: Franz became a starter as a sophomore. She helped Seneca Valley to the semifinals last season and is now considered one of the top in AAA.

Your team, North Allegheny, Butler, Shaler and Pine-Richland are all ranked in the top seven. Why is the Northern area so good in volleyball? There is a lot of good competition. I'm not sure why the area is so good, but I know we have a lot of club teams in the area. So, girls play a lot in the offseason. Plus, I think we have a lot of good coaching staffs who have offseason workouts.

How good is your team this year? Everything has just come together this season. We lost a lot of seniors and key players, and I think a lot of teams thought we weren't going to be very good. We had three freshmen come onto the varsity team this year and they have a great attitude.

People might be surprised to know ... I eat a lot of ice cream. I can live off ice cream.

-- By Mike White

Avonworth

The past week: A 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior running back, Watts rushed for 222 yards to push the No. 3 Antelopes to a 40-6 WPIAL Class A win against Wilkinsburg.

Check this out: Behind the speedy Watts' 840 yards, Avonworth is 4-0 for the first time in 27 years. Also a tremendous sprinter, Watts is drawing some Division I interest in track and football.

Would you rather run around someone or run over them? To be honest, run through them. The last game, I started to run through people some more and it is a great feeling. I am trying to make myself more of a power runner.

Your favorite late night snack? Chocolate Pop-Tarts and milk.

You are a great athlete, but how far can you punt a football? Oh man, probably no more than 30 yards. I have tried, but it always just goes straight out of bounds.

People would be surprised to know ... That I like to watch chick flicks with my girlfriend. I hate to admit it, but I will. I know people are going to laugh at me, but I think the last one I saw was, 'P.S. I Love You.'

-- By Colin Dunlap