Picking the top games ..... Bisnowaty update ..... Other notes
See below for my picks on the top games in the WPIAL and City League this weekend. But first, some items that fell off my laptop...
Record score
Here is a 9-hole score from a recent golf match that will catch your eye:
31
Wow. North Allegheny's Kevin O'Brien shot 31 on the Orchard Course at Treesdale. That is believed to be the best score ever shot at that course in a high school match. That is an incredible score. Five under par. He birdied five holes and had par on four. Sometimes, high school teams might play on a short course or one that's not ridiculous hard. Even so, 31 is ridiculous. And remember, Treesdale isn't exactly pitch-and-putt, either. It is definitely a challenging course.
The Orchard Course is listed at 3,509 yards. I believe that's from the "tips", though. I don't think the high school team played those teams. But still ...
O'Brien shot one-under 34 in a match yesterday at Diamond Run. I would say he's one to watch come WPIAL individual tournament play.
Pitt and Florida for Bisnowaty?
It's looking like a two-team race for Fox Chapel offensive lineman Adam Bisnowaty. Althought Bisnowaty said he still might consider a few teams like Purdue and Michigan State, the two top teams are definitely Pitt and Florida.
He was going to make an official visit to Florida last weekend, but some airplane problems forced him to cancel. So he went to the Buffalo-Pitt game instead.
"This Saturday, I'm going to go with my mom to Pitt, just on an unofficial visit," Bisnowaty said. "I've seen Pitt so many times, but I just want to let my mom see a game there. I'll go to Florida for the Tennesse game the following weekend. I may or may not take one more visit. Michigan State and Purdue would probably be my next two choices."
Bisnowaty hopes to make a decision later this monrth.
More state rankings
The Harrisburg Patriot-News state football rankings are out for this week.
Big-game predictions
Here are some predictions and thoughts on this weekend's top games:
CITY LEAGUE
University Prep vs. Brashear - This game is tonight. Second game in UP history. First loss, too. Winner: Brashear
WPIAL CLASS AAAA
Penn-Trafford at Mt. Lebanon - A lot of preseason talk about Penn-Trafford and how the Warriors are a possible top five team in Class AAAA? Post-Gazette story on P-T QB Zach Emerick. I do think Warriors are pretty good, but not good enough to beat Mt. Lebanon. Winner: Mt. Lebanon.
Bethel Park vs. Central Catholic - Vikings win by 14 or more. Winner: Central Catholic.
Woodland Hills at North Hills - I picked North Hills on Varsity Xtra video this week with Rich Emert. Can I change? Winner: Woodland Hills.
Baldwin at McDowell - Long trip to Erie for Baldwin. It will seem even longer on the way home. Winner: McDowell.
WPIAL CLASS AAA
Montour at Hopewell - I will be at this one. Best game of the weekend? Maybe. It is PG Game of the Week. I always enjoy going to Hopewell and talking a little with Hopewell assistant Pat Tarquinio, one of the winningest coaches in WPIAL history when he was at Beaver and Ellwood City. As for the game, running back showdown is tremendous - Rushel Shell vs. Julian Durden. But Montour has better overall team. Winner: Montour.
West Allegheny at Central Valley - Interesting game. Still not sure where West Allegheny stands. I am sure about Central Valley. CV by 8 or more. Winner: Central Valley.
WPIAL CLASS AA
Aliquippa at Beaver Falls - I'd really like to see this one. Any Aliquippa-Beaver Falls game is always fun. I wonder how Mike Zmijanac's garden at his house has held up this summer? Well, I do know how his team is holding up. Winner: Aliquippa.
Seton-LaSalle at Shady Side Academy - Seton-LaSalle is good. Kind of a quiet good. Don't hear much talk about the Rebels. How good? Maybe this game will give an indication. Winner: Seton-LaSalle.
WPIAL CLASS A
Rochester at Fort Cherry - If you haven't seen the trick shot video of Fort Cherry's Tanner Garry, check it ou on You Tube. Some of the tricks are tremendous, especially one near the end of the 4:44 video. I know some might think I'm crazy, but I think Fort Cherry can win this game. I never like going against Rochester, but just a feeling on this one. (Watch, Fort Cherry will lose by 20 or something). Winner: Fort Cherry.
Avonworth at Springdale - Dynamos are pretty good, especially in first home game.Winner: Springdale.
California at Carmichaels - No one is going to beat out Monessen in the Tri-County South. But this could go a ways in determining second place. Winner: California.