Mike White
Verified
Post-Gazette sports writer
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Mike White
High school highlights: Deer Lakes clinches its section with a tight win over Freeport
Artemey Parshyn scored on a penalty kick with 12 minutes remaining to give Deer Lakes the deciding goal in a 3-2 victory against host Freeport in a Class 2A Section 1 game Thursday. The victory clinched the section title for the Lancers, who improved to 11-0 in the section and 12-2-2 overall. Freeport falls to 9-2 in the section and 11-3-2 overall. "The kids are super excited to clinch the section title," Deer Lakes coach Devin Murray said.
Jerry Matulevic, one of the winningest baseball coaches in WPIAL history, dies at 87
Jerry Matulevic and his wife, Nancy, never had children of their own. But in a way, Matulevic was like another dad to many teenagers throughout his three-plus decades as Shaler’s baseball coach. Matulevic had a way about him that made him a unique, legendary coach. First, he is one of the winningest coaches in WPIAL history and had three district championships and a state title on his resume before he retired in 2022.
The Fumbler: I’m looking for answers from these WPIAL coaches down the stretch
Every WPIAL and City League team had question marks entering the season. The Fumbler now has questions for some of the coaches as we enter the stretch run of the regular season. Is Tim Trump trying to make Beth-Center great again? The Bulldogs are 7-0 for the first time since 2014 — not bad for a team that went just 1-8 two seasons ago. What is Duke Johncour’s favorite college?
Mike White’s high school sports chat: 10.13.26
Vendors can use your data to provide services. Declining a vendor can stop them from using the data you shared. Exponential Interactive, Inc d/b/a VDX.tv Cookie duration: 90 (days). Data collected and processed: IP addresses, Device identifiers, Probabilistic identifiers, Browsing and interaction data, Non-precise location data, Users’ profiles, Privacy choices more Cookie duration resets each session. View details | Storage details | Privacy policy Consent Index Exchange Inc.
WPIAL Week 7 high school football scoreboard: 10.09.26
Here is the schedule for Week 7 in WPIAL high school football action.
Statistical leaders heading into Week 7 of the 2026 WPIAL/City League football season
Here are the statistical leaders for WPIAL and City League football through the sixth week of the season. Extensive, team-by-team stats are also available on the Post-Gazette statistical page (only for teams that report their stats).
The Fumbler: The names are the name of the game
Playing high school football isn’t just a weekly venture. Apollo-Ridge quarterback Chris Dailey is a testament to that. The Fumbler decided to play the name game this week after taking a look at the WPIAL and City League statistical leaders — and he’s glad he did. Mars quarterback Nathan Walker surely has collected a lot of steps this season, but The Fumbler does wonder what he does when he gets tired. Get some assistance from Beaver Area’s Ryder Carr, maybe?
High school sports results for Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS Boys Soccer WPIAL CLASS 1A Section 3 Springdale 10, St. Joseph 0 NON-SECTION Allderdice 5, Obama Academy 0 SCORING LEADERS 4 goals: Alex Wylly, Springdale.
Prep Talk: Mike and Amanda Conlon are believed to be the first father-daughter combo to ever work WPIAL football
When Amanda Conlon was a kid, she remembers camping trips with her parents. “I’d do a lot of outdoorsy type of things with my dad,” Conlon said. Conlon is now 29, and she and her father still do this outdoors thing. It’s become a tradition for them on fall Friday nights. Amanda and Mike Conlon put on their stripes, grab a whistle, put a yellow flag in their pocket and meet up at a high school, where they officiate WPIAL football games together on the same crew.
Mike White’s high school sports chat: 10.06.26
Justin Guido/For the Post-Gazette Mike White For the Post-Gazette First Published: October 6, 2026, 1:30 p.m. Justin Guido/For the Post-Gazette Create a free PG account. Register - FREE Already have an account? Login Subscribe to the PG. Subscribe Customize your free Newsletter Preferences
The Fumbler: Handing out midseason awards, some painful puns and savvy football picks
Like the guy who presented Carnegie Mellon with a huge gift this week, The Fumbler is ready to give out a monetary present to his readers. We’re not talking billions, however. Just his two cents. The season has hit its halfway point, with Week 6 getting underway Thursday, so this is probably a good time to hand out the midseason Fumblies, which go to the best of the best in WPIAL and City League football. Top player: Pine-Richland’s Khalil Taylor How consistently good has Taylor been?
After a dream state championship run, Avonworth volleyball is getting used to being ‘the hunted’
The Avonworth Antelopes did the hunting last year, chasing down their prey to capture the program’s first WPIAL and PIAA titles. Avonworth volleyball’s improbable run as an 11 seed in the WPIAL tournament was made all that much sweeter with a narrow victory against District 12 champion Lansdale Catholic in the state final. "We're the hunted instead of the hunter,” said coach John Skarupa, entering his seventh year at the helm at Avonworth. “It's a change for Avonworth volleyball.
Mike White’s high school sports chat: 09.29.26
Vendors can use your data to provide services. Declining a vendor can stop them from using the data you shared. Exponential Interactive, Inc d/b/a VDX.tv Cookie duration: 90 (days). Data collected and processed: IP addresses, Device identifiers, Probabilistic identifiers, Browsing and interaction data, Non-precise location data, Users’ profiles, Privacy choices more Cookie duration resets each session. View details | Storage details | Privacy policy Consent Index Exchange Inc.
WPIAL Week 5 high school football scoreboard: 09.25.26
Here is the schedule for Week 5 in WPIAL high school football action.
Statistical leaders heading into Week 5 of the 2026 WPIAL/City League football season
Here are the statistical leaders for WPIAL and City League football through the third week of the season. Extensive, team-by-team stats are also available on the Post-Gazette statistical page (only for teams that report their stats).
The Fumbler: I got knocked down, but I got up again — and had my best week of picks yet
Fall is in the air. A recent fall also ended with The Fumbler on the ground. Call it overexcitement or maybe just too many pumpkin spice lattes, but this award-winning prognosticator was moving at a brisk rate when he made a break for the refreshment stand at halftime of a game last Friday. What could possibly go wrong, you ask? Well, what seemed like an easy walk down the press box steps resulted in The Fumbler taking a tumble.
High school sports results for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS Boys Soccer NON-SECTION Shady Side Academy 2, Chartiers Valley 0 Girls Soccer WPIAL CLASS 4A Section 1 Connellsville 1, Gateway 1 Fox Chapel 2, Armstrong 0 Norwin 6, Hempfield 0 Section 2 Bethel Park 3, Baldwin 1 Mt. Lebanon 2, Upper St. Clair 0 Peters Township 3, Canon-McMillan 0 Section 3 North Allegheny 2, Pine-Richland 0 Seneca Valley 2, Butler 0 WPIAL CLASS 3A Section 1 Mars 3, Hampton 1 Shaler 9, Ambridge 1 Section 2 Moon 8, Trinity 0 South Fayette 2, Chartiers...
Mike White's Prep Talk: After personal tragedies, McGuffey coach Nate Parry is finding his purpose — and a winning formula
Nate Parry used the word “brutal” to describe the past two seasons. They were his first years as McGuffey’s head football coach. McGuffey was winless in both 2024 and ’25. But there are no words Parry can find to describe two other losses he suffered over a two-year period that never showed up on a scoreboard or in the standings. Life handed Parry two excruciating ones that took away pieces of his heart.
Youngsters like Rocco Thompson, Kaden Allen have driven Elizabeth Forward to a 4-0 start
Rocco Thompson spent Saturday standing on the Penn State sideline looking up at 103,817 people in the stands cheering on the Nittany Lions. “That was a great experience, especially since I've always been a lifelong Penn State fan,” Thompson said.
Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.22.26
The webpage at https://sync.rtk.io/cs might be temporarily down or it may have moved permanently to a new web address.
Statistical leaders heading into Week 4 of the 2026 WPIAL/City League football season
Here are the statistical leaders for WPIAL and City League football through the third week of the season. Extensive, team-by-team stats are also available on the Post-Gazette statistical page (only for teams that report their stats).
The Fumbler looks for brighter days after spending some time in the pits
The Fumbler experienced some real trauma Monday. It had to do with a fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. The Emmy Awards were held that night in Los Angeles, and The Fumbler was glued to his TV as he watched his favorite show, “The Pitt,” capture six wins. You might know the popular HBO Max series is set in Pittsburgh and features a set that resembles Allegheny General Hospital. But what you likely aren’t aware of is The Fumbler made an appearance in one of last season’s episodes.
Motivated by last season's playoff snub, South Fayette football is off to a sizzling start
Jacob Bostian took it personally when the Allegheny Six football coaches snubbed him for the All-Conference team last year. “I felt like I was disrespected last year,” Bostian said. “It pushed me to work even harder to get first-team All-Conference this year.” To be fair, South Fayette was in the same conference with Peters Township last season and the Indians had a pretty good couple of players at his position in linebackers Lucas Shanafelt and Reston Lehman.
Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.16.26
Vendors can use your data to provide services. Declining a vendor can stop them from using the data you shared. Exponential Interactive, Inc d/b/a VDX.tv Cookie duration: 90 (days). Data collected and processed: IP addresses, Device identifiers, Probabilistic identifiers, Browsing and interaction data, Non-precise location data, Users’ profiles, Privacy choices more Cookie duration resets each session. View details | Storage details | Privacy policy Consent Index Exchange Inc.
Mike White's Prep Talk: Looking back at the highest-rated WPIAL football players of the past 20 years
McKeesport running back Kemon Spell is ranked as the No. 9 senior player in the country by Rivals and On3, while Pine-Richland receiver Khalil Taylor is on the cusp of the top 100 at No. 108. But does a lofty ranking by high school scouting services mean big future success for these two? Not necessarily. Regardless of how these services come up with player rankings, history says the WPIAL has had its share of players who live up to their rankings.
A dream state title run laid the groundwork for the next generation of the South Fayette girls soccer team
It's a popular cliche at this time of the season: New year, new team. Coaches from podiums to parking lots are telling reporters all across the country how different their team is from last year’s squad. South Fayette girls soccer coach Nick Rosser, however, can back up that claim with the facts. Sure, the Lions charged through the PIAA playoffs a year ago to earn the program’s first state championship, but seven players from that starting lineup are gone.
High school girls soccer highlights: Patten sisters each notch a hat track in Central Valley win
The Central Valley Warriors (2-0-0, 3-1-1) have often found themselves in the middle of the pack in a crowded (and talented) Class 2A, Section 3. In a section that boasts girls soccer powerhouses like Quaker Valley – who have a University of Delaware commit in Annabel Miko – and Beaver Area, the Warriors have often found themselves glossed over. However, after Monday’s big 7-1 victory against the Bobcats (1-1-0, 3-2-0), the Warriors are ready for people to know their name.
High school sports results for Monday, Sept. 14, 2026
MONDAY’S RESULTS Boys Soccer WPIAL CLASS 4A Section 2 Peters Township 4, Baldwin 0 WPIAL CLASS 2A Section 3 Quaker Valley 7, Steel Valley 0 WPIAL CLASS 1A Section 2 Bentworth 15, Serra Catholic 0 Section 3 Winchester Thurston 3, Springdale 1 NON-SECTION Connellsville 6, Albert Gallatin 0 Laurel Highlands 10, McKeesport 1 SCORING LEADERS 4 goals: Adam Moessner, Bentworth; Dylan Shallenberger, Connellsville. 3 goals: Bill Moyer, Bentworth; Jack Nairn, Laurel Highlands.
Peters Township track phenom Katie Froelich is a quick study in her debut cross country season
Katie Froelich made history in 2026, when she became the first WPIAL freshman ever to win PIAA Class 3A track and field titles in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs this past spring. But, despite being a long-distance maven, she didn’t run cross country last season because it conflicted with her varsity soccer schedule.
After 25 years, 3 WPIAL titles and 444 wins, Joe David resigns as Mt. Lebanon basketball coach
It was during some workouts and summer games with his team in June when coach Joe David had an unfamiliar feeling about being Mt. Lebanon’s boys basketball coach. He wasn’t enjoying it very much. He waited a couple of months before making a decision. It was time to walk away. David, who enjoyed a trio of WPIAL championships and more than 400 wins in 25 years as Mt. Lebanon’s coach, has decided to resign.
Woodland Hills removes Brian Tarrant as football coach
Woodland Hills High School’s administration had been mum on the subject of football coach Brian Tarrant’s absence from the team and his future. But Woodland Hills’ athletic director has let it be known that Tarrant has been removed as coach.
Extra Points: Chrys Black is another smallish running back doing big things at Central Catholic
Extra Points is a new weekly column. Every Saturday, we’ll recap the best of WPIAL and City League football and take you inside the most interesting stories from the Friday night lights. Chrys Black doesn’t know much about the history of successful smallish running backs at Central Catholic. Unbeknownst to him, he’s making himself part of it. Maybe no other WPIAL school has had a run of little guys who make big things happen like Central Catholic.
WPIAL Class 3A, 2A, 1A roundup: Freedom rolls to 3-0, tops Deer Lakes
Freedom (3-0) football continued its perfect season with a statement 55-48 win against Deer Lakes (0-3). The win was also an upset — despite the records both teams posed entering the Friday night tilt. Freedom is in Class 2A, while the Lancers compete in Class 3A. The Bulldogs relied on Karter Brown and Kaden Bailey to lead the offense. Bailey, a senior running back, scored four touchdowns on runs of 81, 78, 75 and 74 yards.
WPIAL Class 6A, 5A, 4A roundup: Tyler Eber powers Thomas Jefferson past McKeesport
McKeesport's Kemon Spell won the battle of the running backs, but Thomas Jefferson came away with a huge 40-33 victory in a non-conference showdown that featured two ranked teams on Friday at Thomas Jefferson's Jaguars Stadium. Spell, a Georgia recruit, rushed for 296 yard and scored four touchdowns, but also fumbled twice. Thomas Jefferson's Tyler Eber rushed for 179 yards on 39 carries and matched Spell with four touchdowns. Thomas Jefferson (2-0) came into the game ranked No. 4 in Class 5A.
WPIAL Week 3 high school football scoreboard: 09.11.26
Giuseppe LoPiccolo/Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Got a news tip? 412-263-1601 Sep 11, 2026 9:00 PM Here is the schedule for Week 3 in WPIAL high school football action.
Statistical leaders heading into Week 3 of the 2026 WPIAL/City League football season
Here are the statistical leaders for WPIAL and City League football through the second week of the season. Extensive, team-by-team stats are also available on the Post-Gazette statistical page (only for teams that report their statistics).
Crystal DTF Launches 2026 Spooky Season Collection for Halloween Apparel Creators
Cartoon of the Crystal DTF Gang BENTON, AR, UNITED STATES, September 9, 2026 / EINPresswire.com/ -- Crystal DTF, a commercial manufacturer of Direct-to-Film (DTF) heat transfers, today announced the release of its 2026 Spooky Season Collection. Designed specifically for apparel decorators, custom print shops, independent crafters, and boutique owners, the new lineup features a comprehensive catalog of ready-to-press Halloween designs.
The football coaching situations at Clairton and Woodland Hills remain unclear
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Will Wayne Wade return to Clairton this week? Meanwhile, Brian Tarrant's situation at Woodland Hills is unsettled Mike White For the Post-Gazette Clairton’s football team will return to play this week, but it’s not clear who will be coaching it. Clairton forfeited its game against Steel Valley last Friday while the school investigated a “personnel matter” with the coaching staff.
Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.08.26
Justin Guido/For the Post-Gazette Mike White For the Post-Gazette First Published: September 8, 2026, 1:45 p.m. Justin Guido/For the Post-Gazette Create a free PG account. Register - FREE Already have an account? Login Subscribe to the PG. Subscribe Customize your free Newsletter Preferences
WPIAL Week 2 high school football scoreboard: 09.04.26
Justin Guido/For the Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Got a news tip? 412-263-1601 Here is the schedule for Week 2 in WPIAL high school football action.
Nico Ward is channeling a summer of high-level experience into the West Allegheny golf team
Junior Nico Ward truly enjoys playing golf for West Allegheny. “School golf, it's just a whole lot of fun,” he said. “I'm just gonna go out there and have fun with my friends.
High school sports results for Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS Boys Soccer WPIAL CLASS 1A Section 1 O.L. Sacred Heart 6, Aquinas Academy 0 NON-SECTION Chartiers-Houston 4, South Allegheny 1 North Hills 4, Connellsville 0 SCORING LEADERS 3 goals: Jake Huet, O.L. Sacred Heart.
Mike White's Prep Talk: Oh brother — another Sieg steps in as Fort Cherry's quarterback
Before Matt Sieg left for his freshman season with the West Virginia University football team, he had to pass the proverbial torch for Fort Cherry High School’s quarterback position. But the WPIAL record holder in career offense didn’t have to look far. He simply had to walk down the hall to the next bedroom in the Sieg family home. That would be the room of Colin Sieg, Matt’s younger brother and Fort Cherry’s new starting quarterback.
The Fumbler: Putting the pieces back together following an always difficult opening week
Predicting high school football is easy. Predicting high school football correctly is where things get complicated. Much is the case with meteorologists. You can do your homework, make an educated guess and still get drenched. That was The Fumbler last weekend. Week 1 — formerly Week 0 — is always tricky. The thing is, while we know who graduated and who came back, what we don’t know is what any of it means.
The popularity of girls flag football and wrestling push U.S. high school sports participation to a record high
Participation in high school sports in the U.S. reached an all-time high over the past two years, and the reason is because of the rapid growth of girls wrestling and girls flag football. The National Federation of State High School Associations recently released its participation survey for the 2025-26 school year. The association gathers participation numbers from all state associations in the country, including the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association).
WPIAL Week 1 high school football scoreboard: 08.28.26
Here is the schedule for Week 1 in WPIAL high school football action. Check back throughout Friday night for the latest scores: (All times 7 p.m. unless noted) Non-conference Allderdice at Fox Chapel Ambridge at Quaker Valley Armstrong at Independence (W.Va.) Avonworth at Hopewell Beaver Area at Central Valley Beaver Falls at Blackhawk Beaver Local (Ohio) at Western Beaver Bergen Catholic (N.J.) at Central Catholic, 8 p.m. (KDKA Kickoff Classic at the Wolvarena, Turtle Creek) Bishop Canevin vs.
4 schools return to WPIAL football after spending time as independents
Uniontown is looking at its season-opening matchup against Brownsville on Friday night as the start down a path that could potentially lead to the WPIAL football playoffs. “Yeah, it's definitely the motivation. Everybody wants to make the playoffs, and it would be huge for a program like ours,” Uniontown coach Tim Bukowski said. “We'll see if we're ready to take that step.
WPIAL girls volleyball preview: Move to six classifications draws mixed reviews
The popularity and growth of girls volleyball at the scholastic level is clearly evident as the 2026 season begins. With a total of 632 schools competing in Pennsylvania, the PIAA board of control added two classifications to the previous four-class format. That means volleyball will join basketball and softball as the only girls sports with six classifications in the upcoming two-year cycle, which begins Friday.
The Fumbler: I have been found, returning home to pick high school football winners for the PG
A guy who had long dreamed of being on the cover of a Wheaties box instead found himself on the side of a milk carton a few years ago. That’s right, your favorite prognosticator who has been notorious for giving his two cents all of a sudden was better associated with 2%. You likely saw the many posts about it on social media, some paired with hashtags such as #WhereIsTheFumbler and #HasAnyoneSeenTheFumbler. Truth be told, The Fumbler wasn’t lost.
Money talks? Top WPIAL football players discuss the role that dollars now play in NCAA recruiting
When a highly-rated high school football player makes a college decision nowadays, it could be all about the Benjamins. At least that’s what a number of the top senior players in the WPIAL are saying. The pay-for-play and NIL deals that have become a big part of college football the past few years are now making a significant impact on recruiting. Colleges often tell the recruits how much money they will make as a freshman. And for some of them, the highest bidder wins.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Mike
Contact Mike, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack