We’re going to learn a lot about local teams tonight

There should actually be two Games of the Week this week. Yes, South Park and South Allegheny is up there. But so is Fort Cherry and Monessen.

As the capsule says, tonight we find out how serious of a contender the Greyhounds are.

Monessen being in the Black Hills Conference is good and bad for the Black & White.

It’s not the Tri-County South and a playoff berth is not pretty much assured. In the long run, it is going to make them better. They’re still young.

Now the defending Class 1A champions march into Memorial Stadium tonight.

Matt Sieg, a top recruit and Mr. Do Everything, can’t throw due to a broken thumb. It hasn’t stopped him from running all over teams.

I thought the Greyhounds were tested last week by a Serra team that was struggling. Tonight is the real test, though.

As good as Sieg is, the Rangers are filled with role players who do their job and do it well. If you need evidence of that, go back and watch last season’s WPIAL championship game.

Ty’Vaughn Kershaw will get his yards and continue to do his thing. But can someone else step up and find the end zone?

In my opinion, Monessen will have to score 40 points to win this game. If they can get there, they can definitely make it close.

Fort Cherry 38, Monessen 20

So. Park at S. Allegheny Uncharted territory with a chance to go 5-0 is on the line at Gladiators Stadium.

South Park really struggled against a tough Steel Valley squad last week.

I think the Glads bring more offensive weapons and options to this game.

South Park’s lone loss was to Deer Lakes, a surprising 4-0 squad.

Do the Eagles have enough defensively to account for Drew Cook on the outside? If so, can anyone match the speed of Cam Epps if he gets outside? Then you have Camden Lewis coming through the line like a freight train or Ryan Cortes using his arm to beat you.

Just too many weapons on the Gladiator side.

S. Allegheny 29, South Park 17

Upper St. Clair at McKeesport

Great news for the Tigers now that they finally got into the win column. But now here comes USC.

McKeesport joins TJ, BVA and EF as local teams that have a murderers’ row of non-conference games this season.

Kemon Spell, Anthony Cromerdie and Anthony Boyd will figure heavily in this one. The Tigers must control the clock and the ball to slow down the Panthers.

I just think once again, this task is too tall. Conference play awaits after this week.

Upper St. Clair 35, McKeesport 20

South Fayette at Belle Vernon

The Lions featured QB Drew Wehorsky heavily last week. That’s their plan and they execute it well.

Five touchdown passes, three in the first half, were enough to beat Elizabeth Forward.

The Lions’ line will test Belle Vernon’s. I think if the Leopards are healthy, they have an advantage in the back end of the defense that could ground the SF passing attack, or at least make it a little less explosive.

This should be a good one if Belle Vernon can get the offense on track and hit a couple big plays.

QB Curty Wade will have to hit some targets in the passing game and continue making the right reads offensively. I look for Kole Doppelheuer to get going a little more this week. But will it be enough?

The Leps are tough on the beach and don’t lose very often there.

South Fayette 28, Belle Vernon 24

Avella at California The biggest question I have is this: How many yards will Lee Qualk get this week against the Eagles?

The over/under is set at 251. Give me the over.

California 55, Avella 6

In other games this week: Keystone Oaks 22, Charleroi 8 Clairton 65, Frazier 0 Bentworth 22, Beth-Center 21 Eliz. Forward 44, Baldwin 18 T. Jefferson 38, West Mifflin 14 S’moreland 33, Ringgold 20 Blackhawk 39, Yough 12

LAST WEEK: 10-1 SEASON: 30-13