Appreciate The Birdie and his Week 7 picks in Westmoreland County

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 7:25 PM

Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)

Season: 64-23 (73.6%)

The Birdie sometimes feels underappreciated.

When he hears fans “talking smack” or “throwing shade” at him at games, it hurts his feelings.

“I heard this little crumb-snatcher, he had to be 7 or 8 say, ‘The Birdie stinks,’” the Birdie said, slowly flicking his LED lights on and off. “Then he goes, ‘He wouldn’t know a gummy worm from the real thing.’”

Another time, the Birdie was coming up the steps to a press box and eavesdropped on a conversation.

“They were having a nice chuckle,” Birdie said. “One guy said, ‘The Birdie sniffs glue.’ Another said I should fly south for the fall. A lady chimed in, ‘Wait, what’s the Birdie?’”

Maybe there is a solution.

“They have an appreciation week for officials, right?” Birdie said. “Everybody pretends to like the people in stripes so they can have their nice little photo ops. All those fake smiles, ugh. You can’t thank someone and then call them horrific names once the game starts.

“Maybe it’s time for a hypocritical week of recognition for us prognosticators, too. The Birdman needs some love, even if it’s disingenuous.”

The Birdie puts down his thesaurus and strikes a Heisman pose, thinking about his exact score prediction last week for Mt. Pleasant-Greensburg Salem (28-21).

“Imagine you in a photo with me like this,” he said, cradling his trusty 1991 word processor like it was a football. “You can show your friends. Hey, maybe we can get some refs in the pic with me. You Monday morning quarterbacks would love that.”

Now for his Week 7 picks for, as he said, “His true peeps.”

“Dear readers, I want to thank you for your support,” Birdie said. “You know who you are. The rest of you, well, you can thank me at the photo op.”

Central Catholic at Norwin: Norwin is banged up, and that won’t bode well against the Vikings. Central Catholic, 35-7

Hempfield at Seneca Valley: Hempfield should be able to complete some passes but won’t be able to run the ball against the Raiders. Seneca Valley, 24-20

Franklin Regional at Penn-Trafford: Another matchup with the makings of a hard-hitting classic, this will be physical from the jump. Old-fashioned football in Harrison City. Every yard will matter. Franklin Regional, 21-20

Laurel Highlands at Belle Vernon: Who knew the Birdie would have trouble picking a winner in this one? Belle Vernon is getting healthier and more confident, so the nod goes to the Leopards. Belle Vernon, 35-16

Greensburg Salem at Derry: A prime example of what can happen when local teams play each other. This will be a close game before the Golden Lions break a big play late. Greensburg Salem, 24-14

Southmoreland at Mt. Pleasant: One of the area’s most anticipated matchups. Alverton vs. Norvelt. Southmoreland can throw it, and Mt. Pleasant can run it. Whoever becomes one-dimensional will lose. Whoever is tougher and more disciplined will win. Southmoreland, 34-27

Yough at Elizabeth Forward: Yough has shown the ability to finish drives, but the Cougars won’t be able to slow down the Warriors. Elizabeth Forward, 36-13

Ligonier Valley at South Park: The Birdie still scratches his head over this being a conference game. Another long bus ride for the Rams, who won’t be able to match scores with South Park. South Park, 42-14

Greensburg CC at Springdale: Greensburg Central Catholic has a strong secondary that will force the Dynamos into mistakes early. Greensburg CC, 48-0

Jeannette at Brentwood: The Jayhawks will get the football moving early for a bounce-back win in the Eastern Conference. Jeannette, 34-20

Burgettstown at Monessen: After a slow start, Monessen will use special teams and defense to set up short fields and pull away. Monessen, 34-8

Latrobe at Pine-Richland: Latrobe’s defense is solid, but it is banged up and fading a bit. The Rams will stretch every fiber of the unit in an intriguing nonconference matchup. Pine-Richland, 35-14

Tags: Belle Vernon, Brentwood, Burgettstown, Central Catholic, Derry Area, Elizabeth Forward, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Laurel Highlands, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, South Park, Southmoreland, Springdale, Yough