WPIAL Power Rankings Week 2

by Karlo Zovko

Posted September 9, 2013 8:59 pm

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484342

 

 

AAAA:

 

1)   North Allegheny: The State champs came back better than everyone had thought.  As long as Art Walker is the head coach, NA will be in the hunt no matter who they have.

2)   Central Catholic: As always Central has one of the best defenses in the WPIAL.  It’s gearing up to be the game of the year Week 7 when NA visits the new Highmark Stadium to have a showdown with the Vikings.

3)   Upper St. Clair:  USC is back to their antics.  Don’t sleep on the Panthers as they look to be the favorite coming out of the Southeastern Conference.

4)   McKeesport: George Smith has the Tigers back to their old ways and boy are they turning heads.  After a beating down previously #1 ranked Woodland Hills, McKeesport is right back in the hunt for a WPIAL Championship.

5)   Penn Hills: Penn Hills was preps.com pre-season sleeper team.  This team is loaded with talent.   Most of their guys have been flying under the recruiting radar.  If they can make a strong push in the playoffs, a few guys will be getting late scholarships.

On the bubble: Gateway, Bethel Park, Seneca Valley

 

AAA:

 

1)   Central Valley:  Jordan Whitehead picked up right where Robert Foster left off. If he can stay healthy, not many teams will be able to contain this beast.  After last week’s trouncing of Montour, the Warriors look to be the favorite in AAA.

2)   West Allegheny:  West A being dropped in the rankings has nothing to do with how they played, and all to do with how Jordan Whitehead has completely dominated.  West A is probably the team that can best contain him.  The week 5 matchup with Central Valley will be a showdown.

3)   Thomas Jefferson:  TJ is much better than what teams are giving them credit for.  After completely shutting down EF’s JaQuan Davidson, the Jaguars look to restart their dynasty of controlling AAA as they did earlier in the decade.

4)   West Mifflin: Jimmy Wheeler is making statements and looks to reign as the WPIAL’s top rusher this year.  Not many people possess the speed Wheeler has.  Look for West Mifflin to ride Wheeler to hopefully another WPIAL final game.

5)   Franklin Regional: FR looks to contend and be the upset team this year in AAA.  Don’t be fooled, they have some athletes that can make plays.

On the bubble: Moon, Highlands, New Castle

 

AA:

 

1)   Aliquippa:  The Quips are rollin’ just as everyone expected.  Imhotep out in the East looks like the only team that can take down this monster team. Richland in District 6 also looks tough.  Never doubt other WPIAL teams for the upset though.

2)   South Fayette:  The Lions are back at it again led by Junior QB Brett Brumbaugh who is probably the WPIAL’s best QB.  As long as Shai McKenzie doesn’t wreck them like he did in last year’s semi-final game, look for South Fayette to be a real competitor.

3)   Washington High:  Shai McKenzie is rolling and doesn’t look to be stopped.  He still has that bad taste in his mouth after the Quips embarrassed him in last year’s WPIAL Final game.  Look for Shai to take no mercy.

4)   Beaver Falls:  Beaver Falls has athletes all over the field.  They are the only team that can almost match Aliquippa talent-wise.  Look for them to continue to turn heads throughout the season.

5)   Mt. Pleasant:  Ryan Gumbita and Ty Mellors are working great this year.  After a statement win last week against Greensburgh Central Catholic, look for MP to continue to contend.

On the bubble: Shady Side Academy, Quaker Valley, Seton La-Salle, Jeannette, New Brighton

A:

 

1)   Clairton: The Bears are back.  Sophomore sensation Aaron Matthews has been the talk of the town all summer long and he is living up to the expectations.  Freshman Lamont Wade is already making a statement as one of Single-A’s best runningbacks.  Look for the streak to continue well into the playoffs.

2)   Sto-Rox:  Lenny Williams, Brenden Blair, and Mallory Claybourne are a 3-headed monster few teams will be able to stop.  If they can take it to Neshannock this week and win convincingly, look for Sto to take back the #1 spot in the power rankings.

3)   Neshannock:  Neshannock is one of the most underrated teams in the WPIAL.  They look to make a statement this week by upsetting Sto-Rox.

4)   North Catholic:  If PJ Fulmore can stay healthy, North will make a deep playoff push.  They showed a lot by holding onto the win against Apollo Ridge without his presence in the 2nd half.

5)   Apollo Ridge: Tre Tipton is the most underrated player in the WPIAL.  Despite an OT loss to North Catholic, don’t sleep on Apollo Ridge later in the season.

On the bubble: Monessen, Avonworth


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GIVE YOUR ANALYSIS:

WPIAL Power Rankings Week 2

by Karlo Zovko

Posted 8:59 pm

, , ,

484342

 

 

AAAA:

 

1)   North Allegheny: The State champs came back better than everyone had thought.  As long as Art Walker is the head coach, NA will be in the hunt no matter who they have.

2)   Central Catholic: As always Central has one of the best defenses in the WPIAL.  It’s gearing up to be the game of the year Week 7 when NA visits the new Highmark Stadium to have a showdown with the Vikings.

3)   Upper St. Clair:  USC is back to their antics.  Don’t sleep on the Panthers as they look to be the favorite coming out of the Southeastern Conference.

4)   McKeesport: George Smith has the Tigers back to their old ways and boy are they turning heads.  After a beating down previously #1 ranked Woodland Hills, McKeesport is right back in the hunt for a WPIAL Championship.

5)   Penn Hills: Penn Hills was preps.com pre-season sleeper team.  This team is loaded with talent.   Most of their guys have been flying under the recruiting radar.  If they can make a strong push in the playoffs, a few guys will be getting late scholarships.

On the bubble: Gateway, Bethel Park, Seneca Valley

 

AAA:

 

1)   Central Valley:  Jordan Whitehead picked up right where Robert Foster left off. If he can stay healthy, not many teams will be able to contain this beast.  After last week’s trouncing of Montour, the Warriors look to be the favorite in AAA.

2)   West Allegheny:  West A being dropped in the rankings has nothing to do with how they played, and all to do with how Jordan Whitehead has completely dominated.  West A is probably the team that can best contain him.  The week 5 matchup with Central Valley will be a showdown.

3)   Thomas Jefferson:  TJ is much better than what teams are giving them credit for.  After completely shutting down EF’s JaQuan Davidson, the Jaguars look to restart their dynasty of controlling AAA as they did earlier in the decade.

4)   West Mifflin: Jimmy Wheeler is making statements and looks to reign as the WPIAL’s top rusher this year.  Not many people possess the speed Wheeler has.  Look for West Mifflin to ride Wheeler to hopefully another WPIAL final game.

5)   Franklin Regional: FR looks to contend and be the upset team this year in AAA.  Don’t be fooled, they have some athletes that can make plays.

On the bubble: Moon, Highlands, New Castle

 

AA:

 

1)   Aliquippa:  The Quips are rollin’ just as everyone expected.  Imhotep out in the East looks like the only team that can take down this monster team. Richland in District 6 also looks tough.  Never doubt other WPIAL teams for the upset though.

2)   South Fayette:  The Lions are back at it again led by Junior QB Brett Brumbaugh who is probably the WPIAL’s best QB.  As long as Shai McKenzie doesn’t wreck them like he did in last year’s semi-final game, look for South Fayette to be a real competitor.

3)   Washington High:  Shai McKenzie is rolling and doesn’t look to be stopped.  He still has that bad taste in his mouth after the Quips embarrassed him in last year’s WPIAL Final game.  Look for Shai to take no mercy.

4)   Beaver Falls:  Beaver Falls has athletes all over the field.  They are the only team that can almost match Aliquippa talent-wise.  Look for them to continue to turn heads throughout the season.

5)   Mt. Pleasant:  Ryan Gumbita and Ty Mellors are working great this year.  After a statement win last week against Greensburgh Central Catholic, look for MP to continue to contend.

On the bubble: Shady Side Academy, Quaker Valley, Seton La-Salle, Jeannette, New Brighton

A:

 

1)   Clairton: The Bears are back.  Sophomore sensation Aaron Matthews has been the talk of the town all summer long and he is living up to the expectations.  Freshman Lamont Wade is already making a statement as one of Single-A’s best runningbacks.  Look for the streak to continue well into the playoffs.

2)   Sto-Rox:  Lenny Williams, Brenden Blair, and Mallory Claybourne are a 3-headed monster few teams will be able to stop.  If they can take it to Neshannock this week and win convincingly, look for Sto to take back the #1 spot in the power rankings.

3)   Neshannock:  Neshannock is one of the most underrated teams in the WPIAL.  They look to make a statement this week by upsetting Sto-Rox.

4)   North Catholic:  If PJ Fulmore can stay healthy, North will make a deep playoff push.  They showed a lot by holding onto the win against Apollo Ridge without his presence in the 2nd half.

5)   Apollo Ridge: Tre Tipton is the most underrated player in the WPIAL.  Despite an OT loss to North Catholic, don’t sleep on Apollo Ridge later in the season.

On the bubble: Monessen, Avonworth


Read more recruiting articles by Karlo Zovko


Follow Karlo Zovko on Twitter:  @Kzovko

Email Karlo Zovko:  zovkox@preps.com


TAGS:

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GIVE YOUR ANALYSIS: