Welcome to Week 1 of the 2008 high school football season. Chick’s Picks cannot believe that the summer has passed so quickly, especially with the busy August that she has had. A few weeks ago, Chick’s Picks was contacted by the Olympic Planning Committee regarding a very important matter.

The head of the committee asked Chick’s Picks to be present during the passing of the torch at the Closing Ceremonies in Beijing. When Chick’s asked why she was chosen for this important role, the committee told her that they had been extremely impressed with her skills over the course of her career at MSA Sports, and that they were sure her good karma would be a superb gift to pass onto the upcoming London games.

Chick’s Picks could not help but be flattered by this honor. Since her return to the states, Chick’s has tried desperately to get back into her normal routine, and not to let her stardom go to her head. The last thing Chick’s Picks would want is to fall by the wayside to her rival pigskin prognosticators, while she was busy basking in her own Olympic glory.

Here are this week’s picks:

Class AAAA: #3 Penn Hills at #1 Gateway

Quad-A is getting right down to business in the opening week of the season with a showdown of these two top-ranked powerhouses. Penn Hills will be under the reign of new head coach Ron Graham, who has spent many seasons with the Indians as their defensive coordinator. The Indians will be led by senior LB Dan Mason, who is ranked among the Top 20 Linebackers in the country.

Veteran Gateway coach Terry Smith and his Gators are on a mission of vengeance this season after losing in a WPIAL Championship thriller, 35-34, to Pittsburgh Central Catholic last year. RB Dorian Bell, who is ranked among the Top 10 Linebackers in the country, racked up 131 tackles last season, and has already committed to Ohio State. In addition to Bell, the Gators also boast WR-DB Corey Brown, who will share the scarlet and grey with Bell next fall. Chick’s Picks thinks that the Gators will get their championship drive started right out of the gate this year.
Gateway over Penn Hills

Class AAA: #6 West Allegheny at #7 Chartiers Valley

The Colts host the Indians in Class AAA non-conference action Friday night. West Allegheny and Chartiers Valley both ended their seasons last year with losses in the WPIAL quarterfinals, and both have been plagued by graduation coming into this season. Although the Indians will return eight starters, they are forced to replace most of their skill positions with new, young talent. The Colts are returning only five starters, but hold high hopes for QB Santino Coury, who starred at the RB role for Chartiers Valley last season. Chick’s Picks thinks the Indians will get the season off on the right foot.
West Allegheny over Chartiers Valley

Class AA: #6 Ford City at #8 Valley

The Sabres and the Vikings open up Allegheny Conference play in New Kensington Friday night. Valley hopes to put on a show for its hometown fans, while the hot offensive duo of RB Tracy Booker and TE Troy Hill light up the scoreboard. That will be no easy task with Ford City in the way. The Sabres are led by experienced QB Jordan Eckman, who also holds his role on the other side of the ball, as DB, with high regard. When these two met last season, it was Ford City who came out on top, 34-14. The Vikings have not defeated the Sabres since 2005. Ford City and Valley are the two frontrunners for the Allegheny Conference title. Chick’s Picks thinks the Vikings will get an early lead on that race after this one.
Valley over Ford City

Class A: #4 Serra Catholic at #5 North Catholic

The Eagles and the Trojans face off in Class A non-conference action Friday night. Serra Catholic soared through last season, as it captured the WPIAL Class A title, and finished as the PIAA Class A runner-up. This season may not come as easily, as graduation has punished the Eagles. Serra Catholic will, however, return highly touted QB/DB T.J. Heatherington, who played a major role in last year’s championship run. North Catholic’s season ended in the WPIAL quarterfinals last year, but will bring plenty of experience back this season. The primary sources of that experience can be found in the Long trio. That is, QB Martin Long, WR Matt Long, and OL Joe Long. The Long’s made a name for themselves on the basketball court last season, and could certainly carry it over onto the football field this season. When these two teams met in last year’s season opener, the Eagles ran away with a 40-14 win. Chick’s Picks thinks that this time around, it could be the start of a Long season for the Trojans.
North Catholic over Serra Catholic.

Class AAAA:

Bethel Park over Kiski Area

Canon-McMillan over Trinity

Highlands over Fox Chapel

North Hills over Mount Lebanon

Norwin over Seneca Valley

Upper Saint Clair over Penn-Trafford

Indiana over Plum

Baldwin over Shaler

North Allegheny over Altoona

Class AAA:

Albert Gallatin over Wilkinsburg

Aliquippa over Ambridge

Latrobe over Derry

Yough over Elizabeth Forward

Hempfield over Greensburg-Salem

Blackhawk over Hampton

Knoch over Hopewell

Belle Vernon Area over Laurel Highlands

Pine-Richland over Montour

Mars over Moon

New Castle over Butler

Peters Township over Ringgold

Franklin Regional over Southmoreland

Uniontown over Connellsville

West Mifflin over Allderdice

Class AA:

Center over Mohawk

Greensburg Central Catholic over Charleroi

Deer Lakes over Apollo-Ridge

Freedom over Ellwood City

Freeport over Kittanning

Jeannette over East Allegheny

Mount Pleasant over McGuffey

Beaver over New Brighton

Quaker Valley over Bishop Canevin

Beaver Falls over Riverside

Seton-LaSalle over Northgate

South Allegheny over Brownsville

South Park over South Fayette

Keystone Oaks over Steel Valley

Sto-Rox over Cornell

Shady Side Academy over Summit Academy

Washington over Waynesburg

Burrell over West Shamokin

Wilmington over Brentwood

Class A:

California over Frazier

Beth-Center over Carlynton

Carmichaels over Fort Cherry

Clairton over Laurel

Geibel over Avella

Jefferson-Morgan over Leechburg

Kennedy Catholic over Neshannock

Mapletown over Bentworth

Springdale over Monaca

Shenango over Riverview

South Side Beaver over Burgettstown

West Middlesex over Union

Chartiers-Houston over West Greene

Western Beaver over Avonworth

Monessen over Rochester

Pittsburgh City League:

Oliver over Langley

Brashear over Perry

Peabody over Carrick

Schenley over Westinghouse