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Smaller textPicks eager to kick off new season
The best player in the WPIAL is named King, and the football season is beginning in a month named after a Roman Emperor.
Picks Jr. showed his royal bloodlines last year by going 112-51, or 68.7 percent in his selections. He also predicted all four PIAA title games correctly.
Sounds like the work of a world leader.
Here are his predictions for the first week of the 2004 high school football season.
Friday
Central Catholic at Gateway: Justin King has about 50 Division I offers, but he'll be the second-leading rusher in this game. Central Catholic, 28-20.
Mt. Lebanon at Baldwin: Want to lose some money? Open an all-you-can restaurant in Baldwin. Even its tailback weighs 230 pounds. Baldwin, 20-17.
North Hills at McKeesport: Travis McBride doesn't care that Jack McCurry is recovering from quadruple by-pass surgery. McKeesport, 14-13.
Penn Hills at North Allegheny: Remember when North Allegheny never lost at Newman Stadium? Now, it has to schedule Norwin for a rare home victory (that's next week). Penn Hills, 21-14.
Upper St. Clair at Canon-McMillan: This game is one of the reasons why Canon-McMillan dropped to Class AAA. Upper St. Clair, 28-14.
Highlands at Valley: This is a non-conference game, as Valley has dropped to Class AA. If you think that's odd, check out first-year Highlands coach Sam Albert's antics on the sideline. Highlands, 20-16.
Hempfield Area at Greensburg Salem: These two teams are evenly matched. The Spartans have looked sharp in their two scrimmages, and they seem ready to improve on last year's 3-7 record. The Golden Lions' passing game was strong in their two scrimmages. The team's biggest concern is the running game. The Golden Lions play well at Offutt Field, so they get the shaky nod at home. Greensburg Salem 15, Hempfield Area 14.
Steel Valley at West Mifflin: A summer of Kennywood Park trash-talking will finally come to a conclusion. West Mifflin, 27-13.
Duquesne at Greensburg C.C.: Shane Brooks needs 1,585 yards to become the second Duquesne back in three years to reach 4,000 for his career. He won't find much running room against a tough Centurion team. Greensburg C.C., 18-13.
Aliquippa at Ambridge: Aliquippa has one player named Jonathan Baldwin, a senior wide receiver, and another named Jonathon Baldwin, a sophomore tight end. The Quips also have Don Yannessa's number for another year. Aliquippa, 26-20.
Blackhawk at Beaver Falls: Picks Jr., held his high school fantasy football draft last week, and he took Blackhawk tailback Jeremy Bruce at No. 8 overall. This should be a good start. Blackhawk, 18-11.
Northgate at Seton-La Salle: This might be the first time in the history of WPIAL football that a game in August had playoff implications. Seton-La Salle, 28-21.
Greater Latrobe at Derry Area: The Wildcats are looking for new go-to guys after graduation took away their top players, which included Ryan Flynn. Derry, which was torched by Flynn the past three years, has some skilled position players back. The Trojans are looking to get off to a good start. Greater Latrobe 14, Derry Area 10.
Yough at Southmoreland: The Cougars look ready to roar behind the Sedunov brothers -- Mike and Craig. The Scotties are trying to improve on last year's 5-4 record under new coach John Bainbridge. The Cougars have the edge because of experience. Yough 20, Southmoreland 7.
Ford City at Jeannette: The Sabers and the Jayhawks renew an old rivalry. Both were conference champions last year. Ford City looks to test the young Jayhawks line. The Jayhawks will counter an experienced backfield in quarterback Jordan Thomas and the A.J.'s -- Graves and Tarpley -- at running back. Give the edge to the Jayhawks at home. Jeannette 21, Ford City 14.
Picks also likes: Bethel Park 17, Norwin 7; Butler 21, Kiski Area 14; Penn-Trafford 24, Seneca Valley 7; Connellsville Area 14, Uniontown Area 7; Franklin Regional 17, Plum 13; Indiana Area 20, Trinity 15.
Hubbard (Ohio) 20, Albert Gallatin 14; Thomas Jefferson 21, Belle Vernon Area 13; Mt. Pleasant Area 27, Elizabeth Forward 7; West Allegheny 14, Laurel Highlands 6; East Allegheny 13, Keystone Oaks 10; Moon Area 20, Ringgold 7; New Castle 20, Kittanning 10.
Clairton 14, Brownsville Area 13; Peters Township 14, McGuffey 7; Wheeling Central Catholic (W.Va.) 14, Washington 13; Waynesburg 20, West Greene 14; Burrell 20, Apollo-Ridge 14; Leechburg 14, West Shamokin 10.
Mapletown 14, Bentworth 7; Beth-Center 15, Jefferson-Morgan 14; Carmichaels 20, Burgettstown 13; Riverview 12, California Area 7; Serra 14, Geibel 12; Wilkinsburg 20, Frazier 14.
