Were there any surprises in this past week's match ups?
Mike White: I'd have to say Plum beating Mt. Lebanon. How did Mt. Lebanon beat Woodland Hills and then lose to Plum?
jayhawk: Will the Greensburg Central Catholic win have to be forfeited against EA?
Mike White: Don't know yet. PIAA meeting is soon. The kid was ineligible to play the first game, but GCC didn't know. It's not like he mattered. It was 50-0 at halftime.
northhillsfan: Mike what do you think about the North Hills Indians this year and the QB position, it seems that they always go for smaller QB rather than the bigger stronger QB which I feel hurts them when the play against good teams with speed and size, they do good against the bad teams but always seem to fade in the playoffs, not counting the national championship year which is way and in the past!
Mike White: The starting QB is Andrew Heck. He's 6-3. So there goes your theory there. Yes, they have had smaller QBs in some past years. McCurry seems to like a kid who can run some. As far as your other point, sorry I disagree. They were in the finals a few years ago, losing to Woodland Hills. They won a championship in 1993 (and the state). They tied for the title in 1985. Lost in the title game a few other times. They must be doing something right. They have lost in the playoffs in recent years, but to teams that are basically better than they are, namely McKeesport and Central Catholic.
northhillsfan: In other words the North Hills system needs a fresh face with a new philosophy, we need guys with size at QB i.e. Anthony Morelli, Tyler Palko, Dan Marino type size, not little mighty mights ...
Mike White: Again, Andrew Heck is 6-3. The backup QB is about 6-4, Andrew Wyzkoski. Maybe you want him to play, I don't know. You say you'd like guys like Morelli and Palko and Marino to play? Really. Who wouldn't? If Palko or Morelli or Marino show up at North Hills, I'm sure they'll play.
a_blue_bluedevil: What do you know about Chip Young? Is he Brad Young's brother? Where is he headed to college?
Mike White: Yes, he is Brad Young's brother, and the third or fourth to play at Mt. Lebanon. The Youngs are big into lacrosse. Some have gone to college for that sport. I'm not sure about Chip. I do know he is NOT a big-time college prospect for football. He's a good high school player.
chat: How do you think Woodland Hills will handle NA this week?
Mike White: Very interesting game. I will attend. Marcel Farrish is now playing for Woodland Hills. Woodland Hills beat NA only 7-0 in the first round of the playoffs last year. So NA can definitely play with Woodland Hills. NA has been very impressive in first two games. I think this one will be close. I'd have trouble picking a winner. It's first game on Woodland Hills' new turf. I keep going back and forth on who will win.
The_U: Mike, Can you list the single best player in each classification at this point of the season?
Mike White: No, I can't. That's pretty hard to do after two weeks. Guys play different positions and have different effects on games. Some guys are off to great starts. Doesn't mean they're the best player.
Sandlot_Wizard: Any players formerly off the radar emerging as local Div. I prospects?
Mike White: Here's one for you. Ed Tinker, receiver-DB at Brashear. Good size, good looking body. He's only a junior. Pitt really likes him. I'm not sure if they have offered yet. If they haven't, they are very interested. Not often you get a receiver prospect in the City League.
WoodyHigh: Did you hear about the PA person at Baldwin last week????? Every time Gronkowski made a tackle he said, "Tackle by the recruit from Buffalo." That is low class. I was there and was embarrassed for him. Low class.
Mike White: No, I did not hear that. If that did happen, that's really bad. If it did happen, the ADor principal should've gone to the press box and removed the guy on the spot.
The_U: How can GCC not have to forfeit that game? I can't believe that a coach, the player's parents, or the player himself didn't say something about being kicked out of last year's game. I don't think "oh we didn't know" can fly here.
Mike White: I don't know all the particulars. But I will tell you this. I don't think you can say Greensburg did anything fishy.. I mean, it was 50-0 at halftime. I'll say it again. 50-0. They could've won that game if half their team played with one arm tied behind their back. I was there. It was awful. So why would Greensburg try to sneak this kid into the game??? You think they needed him??? I will also say this. Many people do not understand the rule. I know because I've heard it in other sports. Some believe if they're thrown out in the last game of the season, that's it. But you must sit the next game, even if it's a year later.
chat: What is the difference is Paskorz' game so far this year?
Mike White: I only saw him in the opening game. One difference is he's healthy. He was hurt all of last year (ankle) and had offseason surgery. I think he is much better on defense than a year ago. But don't look for him to have as many yards rushing as his sophomore year. That's where the difference comes in. The offensive line lost a number of key players to graduation and that line was not very strong in first game.
chat: I heard there were more injuries on Central Catholic -- will it affect their game this week?
Mike White: Don't know of any other injuries. All I know is Lamont Smith (RB) didn't play last week because of ankle but expects to play this week. It's not like I see Central play every week, so I don't know much else after that. Central's big game is next week at Woodland Hills.
pantherFAN: The rumor is that coach Render is done after this year. He doesn't seem to be mellowing in his old age, but do you think he'll retire? And, is he mellowing in his old age?
Mike White: He definitely is NOT mellowing, believe me. I don't think he's much different than his first few years. I really don't know if he'll retire. I don't think he's going to go much longer, though. Like him or not, you have to respect what he's done -- and is still doing. USC is one of the best teams in Quad-A again this year.
The_U: Whether they needed the kid or not is irrelevant. My point is that there are a heck (Andrew not included) of a lot of people in Greensburg. Not one of them brought this subject to light?
Mike White: Like I said, I don't know the particulars. All I know is they sat the kid the next game when they found out. So I don't think they were trying to hide the kid and wanted him to play in the East Allegheny game.
The_U: Best offensive line in the WPIAL?
Mike White: That's awfully hard to say. It's the second week of the season. And how do you compare? An offensive line that is good in Double-A, you can't call the best because they're not as big as a Quad-A line. I don't mean to dodge the question, but how can you make that determination at this point in the season???
The_U: Whats up with Springdale?
Mike White: They won't be as strong as they have been in recent years. Just don't have as many good players as they did in past years. Simple as that.
Sandlot_Wizard: Is Pat Tarquinio still at Hopewell? It was good to see him go there and do well.
Mike White: I believe he is. I know he was there last season and I did not hear of him leaving. I have a great deal of respect for Pat and he's a great guy. People should realize he's one of the great coaches in WPIAL history. Won more than 250 games, I believe.
chat: Butler was supposed to have an up and coming team this year. They haven't started well. Have you any comment?
Mike White: Butler is a hard one to figure out. This is supposed to be their year, but they lost to Norwin last week. Norwin isn't bad, but if this is supposed to be your year, you don't lose to Norwin. They had more than 100 kids out for the team. They have a very good QB (Nick Monteleone), both receivers back from last year and some running backs returning. If they don't make the playoffs this year, then forget it. Even opposing coaches can't figure out why Butler is not better. But they still have some time to prove themselves this season. Norwin is NOT a bad team.
sis_boom_bah: What do you hear from other parts of the state? Who will likely be playinig against the WPIAL teams come state championship time?
Mike White: Quad-A is very open. Harrisburg has the most talent, but you never know about that team. They always seem to come up short. Philly area is open. No prohibitive favorite. Triple-A Pottsville made it to Hershey last year, but lost a lot. They still should be good. Double-A, Wilson was in finals last year and has a very good QB in D.J. Lenehan. Single-A is simple. Southern Columbia. They are ALWAYS there. Star FB Henry Hynoski (Pitt recruit) told me this is their best team in the four years he's been there.
a_blue_bluedevil: Will the real Mt. Lebanon please stand up? Which Lebo team do you think is the real thing - the ones that thrashed Woodland Hills at home or laid an egg against Plum on the road?
Mike White: Probably somewhere in between. I don't think they're one of the top two or three teams, but they shoudn't be losing to Plum, either. But Quad-A football can be tough on the road. Chris Haering is a great coach and they'll still make some noise this year. But it's only week two. We'll know more in another couple weeks.
chicowilliams: And who's a better sports family - the DiMichele's or the Poslusznys?
Mike White: I'll sign off after this. That's a tough one. Adam DiMichele was the best all around (football, basketball, baseball). I'll go with the Poslusznys because their kids are -- or will -- play at a higher level in college. Stan P. played baseball at WVU. I don't need to tell you about Paul. David will probably go to a higher level D-1 school also. He's a junior at Hopewell. Adam and Alex DiMichele are starting at Temple. But Alex is a walk-on. And it's Temple. They lost to Buffalo, for goodness sake. Anthony is a senior at Sto-Rox and Nico a sophomore. Anthony isn't a big-time D-1 prospect. So overall, the Poslusznys go to higher levels. But I'd take some genes from either family. Thanks everyone. I enjoyed it. Hope I answered some questions. See you next week.
First Published: September 13, 2006, 4:00 a.m.
