Welcome to Week 10 of the high school football season. Anxious for the start of the WPIAL playoffs this Friday, Chick’s Picks packed her bags and headed out on the Highway to Heinz. Shortly thereafter, however, Chick’s Picks realized that, in her haste, she had forgotten not only her directions, but also her trusty GPS.

Having been down this road many times before, Chick’s Picks was confident that she could find her way on her own. As she journeyed down the Highway, Chick’s Picks reflected on the highlights of this season. While Chick’s Picks became lost her in thoughts, she soon realized that had also gotten lost on the Highway.

Chick’s Picks immediately exited the Highway to Heinz at the first chance she had, hoping to find a kind soul to guide her back in the right direction. Just then, Chick’s Picks slowed down at an upcoming intersection to allow an older gentleman to cross the street. When she stopped, the man did a double-take, walked over to her window, and said, “Hey, aren’t you that Chick’s Picks lady?” Unsure of how this was about to turn out, Chick’s nodded hesitantly.

The man introduced himself as Leroy from the New York Yankees. He told Chick’s Picks that it was his job to find someone to throw out the first pitch in every game. “Game Six of the World Series is tonight and my scheduled first pitcher just backed out on me.” Leroy then pleaded, “Please do me the honor of throwing out the first pitch for our team tonight.”

Chick’s Picks jumped at the opportunity, and tossed out that first pitch like a pro. For the first time, she was delighted to have gotten lost on her journey, as fate would have it. Hopefully, Chick’s Picks will carry that good karma back with her on the Highway to Heinz and into this week’s predictions.

Chick’s Picks finished last week with a 53-13 (80%) record, bringing her season total to 445-150 (75%). Here are this week’s big games.

CLASS AAAA:
#9 Penn Hills (4-5) at #8 Upper St. Clair (6-3)
The Panthers host the Indians in this first round battle Friday night. Penn Hills, after being voted #1 in the MSA Sports Preseason Top 10, has stumbled this season, finishing the regular season with a sub-.500 record, and clinching the third playoff spot in the Big East Conference. Upper St. Clair has been strong, for the most part, with the exception of a Week 7 loss to Baldwin--who finished the regular season with a (2-7) record. The Panthers and the Indians last met in the 2006 WPIAL Class AAAA Championship, where Upper St. Clair took home the gold with an 18-12 victory. Chick’s Picks thinks it will be the Panthers that advance to the quarterfinals.
Upper St. Clair over Penn Hills.

CLASS AAA:
#5 New Castle (7-2) at #8 Greensburg-Salem (8-1)
Despite receiving the higher seed, New Castle will hit the road Friday night to take on Greensburg-Salem. The Red Hurricane are coming off a 42-0 route of Class AA Mohawk last week. The Golden Lions knocked off Derry, 14-6, to claim the Keystone Conference title. Greensburg-Salem’s only loss this season came to Class AAAA Hempfield, 40-7, in Week 1. New Castle finished its regular season in third place in the Parkway Conference. The Golden Lions’ defense has allowed only 97 points all season. Chick’s Picks thinks the weaker schedule of Keystone Conference teams will benefit the Red Hurricane in this one.
New Castle over Greensburg-Salem.

CLASS AA:
#9 Greensburg Central Catholic (7-2) at #10 Freeport (8-1)
The Yellowjackets and the Centurions square off in first round action Friday night in Freeport. Greensburg Central Catholic has been a fixture in the postseason in recent years. Led by RB David Miller, the Centurions’ offense has put up 323 points so far this season. Even more impressive, GCC’s defense has allowed only 80 points, and posted four shutouts. Freeport has been a silent giant this season, quietly working its way up to a share of the Allegheny Conference title this season. These two met last season in the first round of the playoffs, when GCC ran its way into the quarterfinals after a 42-6 victory. Chick’s Picks knows the Yellowjackets will have revenge on their mind, but it won’t be enough to slow down the Centurions.
Greensburg Central Catholic over Freeport.

CLASS A:
#12 Springdale (7-2) at #5 Monessen (7-2)
Monessen hosts Springdale in this matchup of Class A powers Friday night. The Greyhounds got off to a sluggish start this season, with back-to-back losses to Rochester and Clairton in Weeks 1 and 2. Since then, however, Monessen has rolled to seven straight wins, and the Tri-County South Conference title. Last season, Springdale fell to South Side Beaver in the first round of the playoffs, while Monessen advanced to the quarterfinals, before being eliminated by Clairton. Springdale’s defense has been dominant this season, allowing only 68 points in nine games. Despite the daunting defense of the Dynamos, Chick’s Picks thinks the Greyhounds will up their winning streak to eight straight games.
Monessen over Springdale.

CLASS AAAA FIRST ROUND

Gateway over Plum

North Allegheny over Latrobe

McKeesport over North Hills

Woodland Hills over Baldwin

Pittsburgh Central Catholic over Seneca Valley

Bethel Park over Penn-Trafford

Shaler over Mount Lebanon

CLASS AAA FIRST ROUND

Thomas Jefferson over Laurel Highlands

Montour over Franklin Regional

West Allegheny over Knoch

Hopewell over Derry

Mars over Trinity

Chartiers Valley over Hampton

Belle Vernon over Uniontown

CLASS AA FIRST ROUND

Beaver over South Fayette

Aliquippa over McGuffey

Beaver Falls over Steel Valley

Sto-Rox over Shady Side Academy

Mount Pleasant over Kittanning

Keystone Oaks over Burrell

Center over Washington

CLASS A FIRST ROUND

Rochester over Carmichaels

Fort Cherry over Brentwood

North Catholic over Jefferson Morgan

Laurel over Burgettstown

Serra Catholic over Beth-Center

Clairton over South Side Beaver

Avonworth over Monaca

WPIAL WEEK 10 NON-CONFERENCE

Charleroi over Bentworth

Ambridge over Ringgold

Waynesburg over Chartiers-Houston

Valley over Highlands

Norwin over Kiski Area

Yough over South Allegheny

PITTSBURGH CITY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS

Oliver over Perry

Brashear over Schenley