The Birdie loves an underdog in the A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 | 5:57 PM

The Birdie heard a few people on Sunday talking about a big game coming up Saturday afternoon.

One team is coming off a victory in a tightly contested, physical, defensive battle. The other used an array of skill players to overwhelm an overmatched opponent.

After excitedly jumping into the conversation to discuss his own anticipation for the game, the Birdie was flummoxed to discover they were talking about Pitt/Penn State in Happy Valley and not Imani Christian/Riverview in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

“I thought they were saying the game was going to be a doozy,” Birdie said. “Instead, they were talking about Pat Narduzzi. And the star they were talking about was Saquon (Barkley), not Rahmon (Hart).”

Forget about driving to State College; the Birdie plans to trek over the new Hulton Bridge to see if Riverview can slow the Saints, who have one of the most talented rosters in Class A, after the Raiders blanked Leechburg in their Eastern Conference opener.

“Everybody loves an underdog story,” Birdie said, “and I like what Riverview has going on. I hear Dave Heavner is coaching their defense now, and I'm sure he could come up with a good pop culture analogy for this week's game.”

It's a week of underdog stories and long road trips for Alle-Kiski Valley teams. Apollo-Ridge is facing the defending state champ, Springdale the defending WPIAL champ and Leechburg the defending WPIAL runner-up.

The Birdie feels like something of an underdog himself after a less-than-stellar 5-3 record in Week 1. He heard chirping about how he might have lost his fastball.

“I don't understand that,” Birdie said. “I'm picking football, not baseball. But no question, Burrell, Kiski Area and Valley let me down last week. Only six points for each of them? When I said ‘no offense,' I think they took the wrong meaning.”

Much as he respects underdogs, the Birdie has one favorite: himself. And here's who he favors this week.

Apollo-Ridge (2-0) at Beaver Falls (0-1)

The Vikings are off to a strong start with a new core of skill players, but they'll face a difficult road test against the defending state champion.

Beaver Falls, 21-20

Fox Chapel (0-2, 0-1) at Woodland Hills (1-1, 1-0)

Fox Chapel's schedule so far: Mt. Lebanon, West Allegheny and now Woodland Hills. Who's next, Alabama?

Woodland Hills, 35-17

Franklin Regional (1-0, 1-0) at Kiski Area (0-2, 0-1)

Expect another physical, defense-first game, a Big East Conference staple. FR's experience up front will make the difference.

Franklin Regional, 21-7

Freeport (1-0, 0-0) at Deer Lakes (0-1, 0-1)

The Yellowjackets are well-rested after their bye, and their depth and talent will win out over the Lancers.

Freeport, 35-20

Leechburg (0-2, 0-1) at Jeannette (2-0, 0-0)

Jeannette's Robert Kennedy is a highlight waiting to happen when he gets the ball in his hands. He's the quarterback, so highlights happen a lot.

Jeannette, 42-3

New Castle (0-2, 0-1) at Highlands (1-0, 1-0)

The Golden Rams had a tougher-than-expected time against Ambridge. They can expect even bigger problems against New Castle and star Marcus Hooker.

New Castle, 35-21

Plum (1-1, 1-0) at Penn-Trafford (2-0, 1-0)

Mustangs kicker Jackson Gildea is a heckuva weapon, but he'll have to kick a lot of field goals to keep pace with the Warriors.

Penn-Trafford, 35-6

Seton-La Salle (1-0, 1-0) at Valley (0-1, 0-1)

The Vikings will try to stop a “Train” — Seton LaSalle RB Lionel Deanes — but it won't matter when their own offense is off the tracks.

Seton LaSalle, 28-13

Shady Side Academy (0-1, 0-1) at Burrell (1-1, 0-0)

Burrell's defense has been stout through two games, but Shady Side Academy's Dino Tomlin, son of the Steelers coach, is Dino-mite.

Shady Side Academy, 28-14

Springdale (1-1, 0-0) at Clairton (1-0, 1-0)

The Dynamos traditionally give Clairton problems with their ball control, but they can't hide the pigskin from the Bears' playmakers forever.

Clairton, 46-14

Imani Christian (2-0, 1-0) at Riverview (1-0, 1-0)

The Raiders got off to a strong start with a shutout of Leechburg, but Imani presents a major step up in competition.

Imani Christian, 45-7

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley