The Birdie’s Week 3 Westmoreland County picks are going downhill

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Last week: 9-3 (75%)

Season: 23-11 (67.6%)

The yellow-bellied Birdie would like to get some things off his chest so he can predict games with a clear conscience.

He has some pet peeves eating at him that he needs to get out in the open.

While he has made it clear 7:30 kickoffs are at the top of his taboo list, not to mention long halftime shows, social media posts of players lifting weights and Gardner points, there are others that irk him.

If you’ll afford him a Thursday rant …

“So, I see these travel teams winning championships and earning gold medals,” he said. “Why do you have to put them in your mouth and bite down? For one, nobody wants to see that and, two, you’re practically eating metal. Please stop it. Gross.”

Keep in mind, the Birdie has been baffled before. Some say because he simply doesn’t grasp simple concepts. Mrs. Birdie will testify to that.

He did, after all, think a brace in soccer was for a player who injured their knee. And, he thought phishing e-mails were about worms and tackle boxes.

Even after all of these years, the varsity virtuoso still has a lot to learn.

“Enough about me,” he said. “Back to you kiddos. Can we come up with something better to yell than ‘Let’s go?’ That is all I hear at games.

“And what is with you pointing in photos? It’s like, if you don’t position your index finger just right, the photo doesn’t count. Is that a No. 1? Are you pointing at the other person in the shot? Did you just pick your nose? Don’t we do the old thumbs-up anymore?”

The Birdie also thinks coaches can be vague.

“Why do these guys keep telling me they have a player who runs downhill?” Birdie said. “All fields are level. Well, the turf ones are, at least.

“And when a coach says, ‘He’s a dude,’ I’m like, yeah, coach, he’s not a girl, so … Enough of this chicanery.”

Now to his Week 3 picks, which he also did not fully grasp.

Franklin Regional (2-1) at Gateway (0-3): Beating the Gators two years in a row is no easy task, but Franklin Regional has some solid linebackers who will fly to the ball. Franklin Regional, 13-10

Plum (2-1) at Norwin (1-2): With experience and size up front, Plum can out-muscle a lot of teams. Norwin will get worn down. Plum, 27-13

Thomas Jefferson (3-0) at Latrobe (2-1): Latrobe has playmakers, perhaps more than it has had in years. While they will show up, Thomas Jefferson will show out on the road. Thomas Jefferson, 27-17

Apollo-Ridge (1-2) at Ligonier Valley (1-2): This could be a very close game that might come down to the last possession. Shootout anyone? Apollo-Ridge, 34-30

Yough (1-2) at Derry (1-2): Derry has shown a semblance of a running game, which the Trojans have been in search of for years. Yough could go score for score with the Trojans, but can it stop the run? Derry, 26-20

Jeannette (2-1) at Frazier (0-3): The Eastern Conference lid lifter has Jeannette making another long road trip. But the Jayhawks also will make a few trips to the end zone. Jeannette, 20-6

Bentworth (1-2) at Monessen (1-2): Bentworth will get the best of the Greyhounds on special teams. Bentworth, 22-18

Belle Vernon (2-0) at Penn-Trafford (1-2): This was a premier matchup in recent years. Not as much this year, but it could be close early. Belle Vernon, 28-14

Greensburg Salem (1-2) at Deer Lakes (2-1): The passing game will be too much for Greensburg Salem, which might spend a lot of time backpedalling. Deer Lakes, 31-20

Shaler (3-0) at Hempfield (1-2): Shaler is one of the top scoring teams in 5A, but it will be the Titans defense that makes a statement this week. Shaler, 36-10

Southmoreland (3-0) at Knoch (3-0): Knoch used to be able to slow athletic teams down because it had a natural grass field. The Knights have turf now, and the Scotties love the stuff. Southmoreland, 30-23

Valley (1-2) at Mt. Pleasant (2-1): Mt. Pleasant should be able to move the ball with its Wing-T offense, but Valley could hit a couple of big plays. Mt. Pleasant, 28-15

Washington (3-0) at Greensburg Central Catholic (2-1): GCC has speed and can get the ball into the end zone, but Washington has more speed and will outrun the Centurions. Washington, 42-28

Tags: Belle Vernon, Bentworth, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Frazier, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Shaler, Southmoreland, Thomas Jefferson, Washington, Yough