Author: The Birdie
The Birdie gives props to Jeannette’s last men standing, makes semifinal pick
November 13, 2024
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
The Birdie learns his lesson, makes A-K Valley playoff picks
November 6, 2024
Last week: 2-2
The Birdie remembers slobber knockers of days gone by, makes Westmoreland County playoff picks
Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)
Get a little stitious with The Birdie’s playoff picks in A-K Valley football
October 30, 2024
Last week: 10-1
As he makes his playoff picks, The Birdie wonders which Westmoreland County team will keep streak alive
Last week: 7-5 (58.3%)
The Birdie is fit to be tied as he makes his Week 9 picks in the A-K Valley
October 23, 2024
Last week: 10-1
Pick or treat with The Birdie in Week 9 for Westmoreland County football
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
Fall in line as The Birdie makes his Week 8 picks in the A-K Valley
October 16, 2024
Last week: 10-1
Kicking and screaming, The Birdie makes his Week 8 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 11-1 (91.7%)
Appreciate The Birdie and his Week 7 picks in Westmoreland County
October 9, 2024
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie mulls new ways to predict games before Week 7 in A-K Valley
Last week: 8-2
The Birdie rules as he makes his Week 6 picks in the A-K Valley
October 2, 2024
Last week: 9-1
The Birdie makes his Week 6 Westmoreland County picks from the campaign trail
Season: 56-20
Are some wins on the menu for A-K Valley teams in The Birdie’s Week 5 picks?
September 25, 2024
Last week: 8-3
The Birdie lights it up with his Week 5 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 11-4 (73%)
The Birdie out to build his brand with Westmoreland County Week 4 picks
September 18, 2024
Last week: 7-7 (50%)
The Birdie turns whining into an art form before making his Week 4 A-K Valley picks
Last week: 9-2
Kicking and screaming, The Birdie makes his Week 3 picks in the A-K Valley
September 11, 2024
Last week: 7-2
Times have changed as The Birdie makes his Westmoreland County Week 3 picks
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
Dopey Birdie tries to bounce back from disastrous week of A-K Valley football picks
September 4, 2024
Last week: 3-7
The Birdie urges Westmoreland County contenders to not slack off
Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)
Don’t poke The Birdie as he makes his A-K Valley Week 1 picks
August 28, 2024
Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)
The Birdie’s Week 1 picks in Westmoreland County are the real deal
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie tells A-K Valley seniors to take a bow, or hit a Griddy, in Week Zero
August 21, 2024
At this time of year, high school football players, especially seniors, often are admonished by old folks to appreciate what they have before it’s gone.
When it comes to Westmoreland County high school football picks, The Birdie always delivers
Last season: 109-29 (79%)
The Birdie’s A-K Valley football picks are sure to be golden this season
August 18, 2024
Last season: 88-28 (75.9%)
Birdie ponders big question: Who will carry on Westmoreland County’s winning streak?
Last season: 109-29 (79%)
There’s nothing sweet about Belle Vernon’s matchup in the state finals, The Birdie says
December 6, 2023
Last week: 1-0 (100%)
The Birdie gets ready for an Acrisure Stadium football feast with Belle Vernon
November 23, 2023
Last week: 1-0 (100%)
The Birdie falling back in love with Leopards, the last Westmoreland County title hopefuls
November 15, 2023
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
The Birdie’s No. 1 priority is picking Westmoreland County playoff games
November 8, 2023
Last week: 8-1 (88.9%)
Time flies and so does The Birdie as he makes his A-K Valley playoff picks
November 1, 2023
Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)
The Birdie misses his trips to Green Tree, hopes to hit on Westmoreland County playoff picks
Last week: 9-2 (81.8%)
The Birdie gets playoff hopefuls fired up before making Week 9 A-K Valley picks
October 25, 2023
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
Strike up the band and get ready for The Birdie’s Week 9 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 13-1 (92.9%)
The Birdie makes a grand entrance before making Week 8 Westmoreland County picks
October 18, 2023
Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)
Birdie fixes Steelers problems on offense before making Week 8 A-K Valley picks
Last week: 6-4 (60%)
Don’t be alarmed when the Birdie makes his Westmoreland County Week 7 picks
October 11, 2023
Last week: 10-3 (76.9%)
Birdie paints playoff picture, makes Week 7 A-K Valley picks
Last week: 9-2 (81.8%)
The Birdie offers homecoming advice, A-K Valley Week 6 picks
October 4, 2023
The Birdie has noticed some things that have changed since he was in high school.
The Birdie provides bulletin-board fodder, Week 6 picks in Westmoreland County
Last week: 10-2 (83%)
The Birdie gets in the zone, makes Week 5 picks in A-K Valley football
September 27, 2023
As 7 p.m. approached last Friday night, The Birdie was tapping away feverishly at his laptop like a hungry chicken pecking at some feed.
The Birdie hands out 5-star reviews, makes Westmoreland County Week 5 picks
Last week: 11-3 (78.6%)
The Birdie stays on brand with his A-K Valley Week 4 picks
September 20, 2023
Last week: 7-5 (58.3%)
Bumper-to-bumper Westmoreland County traffic can’t slow down The Birdie
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%)
The Birdie’s Week 3 Westmoreland County picks are going downhill
September 13, 2023
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
The Birdie keeps his head held high heading into Week 2 in A-K Valley high school football
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie is feeling lucky with his Week 2 A-K Valley football picks
September 6, 2023
Last week: 7-3 (70%)
The Birdie isn’t goofing around anymore as he makes his Week 1 A-K Valley picks
August 30, 2023
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
Turn to The Birdie for all your landscaping needs … and for Westmoreland County Week 1 picks
Last week: 7-4 (63.6%)
The Birdie living up to the hype while picking Westmoreland County games
August 23, 2023
The Birdie
Stop bugging The Birdie as he makes his Week Zero picks in A-K Valley football
The Birdie
The Birdie writes a sweet column to kick off football season in the A-K Valley
August 20, 2023
The Birdie
After a long offseason, the Birdie is ready to stick to football and Westmoreland County picks
The Birdie
For 2nd straight December, The Birdie labors over a Westmoreland County state final pick
December 8, 2022
Last week: 0-1
The Birdie plays up Belle Vernon’s chances in WPIAL championship game
November 23, 2022
Last week: 1-0 (100%)
Birdie runs advance scouting mission for Belle Vernon, makes semifinal pick
November 16, 2022
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
Birdie shakes off bad luck, makes pick for last A-K Valley team standing
November 9, 2022
Last week: 2-3
Birdie feels pain of Westmoreland County teams in WPIAL football playoffs
Last week: 5-4 (56%)
Meeting or no meeting, The Birdie is psyched to make Westmoreland County playoff picks
November 2, 2022
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
Birdie counts down highlights of season, makes A-K Valley playoff picks
Last week: 8-1
Birdie gives twisted history lesson, Week 9 A-K Valley football picks
October 26, 2022
Last week: 9-2
While the Birdie waits for an NIL deal, he’ll make his Week 9 Westmoreland County picks
The Birdie
Birdie uses science to pick winner of A-K Valley game of the year in Week 8
October 19, 2022
Last week: 9-1
Celebrate those touchdowns, and these Week 8 Westmoreland County picks from The Birdie
Last week: 9-2 (81.8%)
The Birdie knows how to handle a bad Steelers season and how to make Week 7 A-K Valley picks
October 12, 2022
Last week: 9-3
The Birdie ponders probing questions, Westmoreland County Week 7 picks
Last week: 11-2 (84.6 %)
The Birdie stays grounded, like Burrell, as he makes his Week 6 picks in A-K Valley football
October 5, 2022
Last week: 12-0
Birdie sings praises of H-back, makes Week 6 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 10-2 (83%)
Warm up with some A-K Valley Week 5 picks from The Birdie
September 28, 2022
Last week: 12-1
The Birdie puts on his game face, brings his ‘A’ game to Week 5 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 8-6 (57.1%)
The Birdie delivers Week 4 A-K Valley football picks with a hard candy shell
September 21, 2022
Last week: 10-2
Hempfield’s resurgence has Birdie all atwitter as he makes Westmoreland County Week 4 picks
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%)
Sick and tired of ‘next man up,’ The Birdie picks Week 3 games in the A-K Valley
September 14, 2022
Last week: 8-3
The Birdie has kind words for the WPIAL before picking Week 3 Westmoreland County slate
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Please excuse The Birdie as he makes his Week 2 picks in A-K Valley football
September 7, 2022
Week 2 picks in Westmoreland County are no piece of cake for The Birdie
Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)
Before A-K Valley teams kick off Week 1, The Birdie breaks out his hot air detector
August 31, 2022
Last week: 10-1
The Birdie has some pet peeves with Westmoreland County football
Last week: 10-0 (100%)
While making picket signs, The Birdie makes his A-K Valley Week Zero picks
August 24, 2022
In these volatile times, the Birdie spent the offseason becoming radicalized.
Check out The Birdie’s hodgepodge of Week Zero picks in Westmoreland County
The Birdie has been called a lot of things (never late for dinner), but when he heard a coach refer to him as a “hodgepodge of nothingness” at a recent media day, his ears perked up.
Acrisure enough, the Birdie’s back for another season of A-K Valley football picks
August 20, 2022
When The Birdie heard that Acrisure was spending $150 million to put its name on the big football field on the North Shore, a thought popped into his bird brain.
The Birdie predicts Acrisure or bust for Westmoreland County powers
Acrisure or bust.
Frazzled Birdie learns to not pick against Penn-Trafford
December 8, 2021
Last week: 0-1 (0%)
Birdie predicts state playoff ‘exet’ for last Westmoreland County team standing
December 1, 2021
Last week: 1-1 (50%)
While making Westmoreland County finals picks, Birdie sees red on Highway to Heinz
November 24, 2021
Last week: 2-0 (100 %)
The Birdie makes Heinz Field plans while picking Westmoreland County playoff games
November 17, 2021
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
The Birdie learns an important football lesson, picks A-K Valley playoff games
November 10, 2021
Last week: 4-3 (57.1%)
‘Tis the season for Westmoreland County playoff picks from The Birdie
Last week: 4-2 (66.7%)
The Birdie hits reset button, makes Westmoreland County playoff picks
November 3, 2021
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%)
The Birdie gets out his calculator and makes A-K Valley playoff picks
Last week: 8-1 (88.9%)
There’s no disguising Birdie’s ability to pick Westmoreland County winners
October 27, 2021
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
The Birdie writes the perfect pregame speech before making A-K Valley Week 9 picks
Last week: 12-1 (92.3%)
In the middle of a weird season, Birdie makes Westmoreland County picks
October 20, 2021
Last week: 12-1 (92.3%)
The Birdie sees a doozy of an A-K Valley playoff tiebreaker on the horizon
Last week: 9-1 (90%)
The Birdie ready to rock, roll and pick some Westmoreland County winners
October 13, 2021
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Wait for it, wait for it … OK, it’s time for The Birdie to make his A-K Valley picks
Last week: 5-6 (45.5%)
While waiting for a lifeguarding gig at Belle Vernon’s ‘Beach,’ The Birdie is picking Westmoreland County winners
October 6, 2021
Last week: 11-2 (84.6%)
Upsets have Birdie’s feathers ruffled while making A-K Valley picks
Last week: 5-6 (45.5%)
For Birdie, defining taunting proves daunting in Westmoreland County football
September 29, 2021
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Birdie eyes up the A-K Valley’s biggest stories to watch in football season’s 2nd half
Last week: 8-2 (80%)
The Birdie is running wild while making Week 4 Westmoreland County picks
September 22, 2021
Last week: 9-5 (64.3 %)
The Birdie might not be a spring chicken, but he still picks A-K Valley football winners
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie plays the name game, makes Week 3 A-K Valley football picks
September 15, 2021
Last week: 7-3 (70%)
Before watching Westmoreland County football, The Birdie watches what he eats
Last week: 7-4 (63.6 %)
Birdie hops on Freiermuth bandwagon before picking this week’s A-K Valley matchups
September 8, 2021
Last week: 9-1 (90%)
Quoting Confucius and picking Westmoreland winners, The Birdie’s ready for Week 2
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Before picking A-K Valley winners, The Birdie investigates Bishop Sycamore
September 1, 2021
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
Birdie hopes he picks Westmoreland County games better than he climbs crates
Last week: 8-3 (72.7 %)
The Birdie cashing in on his Westmoreland County pigskin picking reputation
August 25, 2021
Name. Image. Likeness.
The Birdie can’t always get what he wants as A-K Valley football kicks off
The Birdie was pecking at his plate from the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday, waiting for a friend to meet him for lunch the other day, when he realized it was way too early in the season to be dealing with a case of writer’s block.
High school football’s about to start in the A-K Valley? Sounds good to The Birdie
August 21, 2021
The Birdie
The Birdie takes his shot at predicting records for Westmoreland County teams
The Birdie
The Birdie thinks Jeannette will do the steamrolling in PIAA finals
November 25, 2020
Last week: 1-0
Birdie on board as Jeannette bandwagon rolls into Reynolds
November 19, 2020
Last week: 0-1
Everyone’s excited for Jeannette-Clairton rematch, including The Birdie
November 12, 2020
Last week: 3-0 (100.0 %)
Birdie maps out route to WPIAL title game for Penn-Trafford, Belle Vernon, Jeannette
November 5, 2020
Last week: 4-0 (100%)
Birdie ready to hit the road to follow Plum, Apollo-Ridge in WPIAL playoffs
Last week: 4-1 (80%)
The Birdie treats his readers to Westmoreland County playoff picks
October 29, 2020
Last week: 9-0 (100 %)
‘Tis the season for playoff football in the A-K Valley and the Birdie is psyched
Last week: 10-2 (83%)
The Birdie volunteers to campaign for A-K Valley bubble teams
October 22, 2020
Last Week: 8-1 (89%)
The Birdie trying to keep his chin up during challenging season
Last week: 10-1 (90.9 %)
The Birdie has questions, lots of questions, about Westmoreland County attendance limits
October 15, 2020
Last week: 11-1 (91.7 %)
Birdie doing his part to keep A-K Valley safe for football
Last Week: 8-2 (80%)
The Birdie wants bowl season to come to Westmoreland County
October 8, 2020
Last week: 8-4 (66.7 %)
Red-hot Birdie picking A-K Valley games with expert precision
Last Week: 8-1 (89%)
Birdie learns from experience, just like Apollo-Ridge, Plum and Springdale
October 1, 2020
Last Week: 7-3 (70%)
Birdie, Westmoreland County teams handling covid era pretty well
Last week: 9-5 (64.3 %)
The Birdie just wants to see live football in the A-K Valley
September 24, 2020
Last Week: 10-2 (84%)
The Birdie: Prognosticator puts pedal to metal for Week 3 in Westmoreland County
Last week: 10-4 (71.4%)
The Birdie crowing about perfect start to A-K Valley football season
September 17, 2020
Last week: 8-0 (100%)
Birdie off his game as Westmoreland County football teams open in mostly empty stadiums
Last week: 7-6 (53.8 %)
The Birdie happy to be back watching football in the A-K Valley
September 10, 2020
“It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here!”
Westmoreland County Week 1 matchups have Birdie grinning from ear to ear
The Birdie went to the dentist earlier this week for his six-month checkup, and, aside from getting his gums poked and prodded, accidentally swallowing some fluoride treatment and pocketing a free toothbrush, he received a boost of confidence.
Westmoreland County coaches give The Birdie the old ‘social distancing’ treatment
September 5, 2020
The Birdie has been asked to social distance before so the concept is not altogether new to the local prep football expert.
The Birdie whistling a happy tune now that football is back in the A-K Valley
The TribLive HSSN high school sports staff logged on to a video conference call for the annual high school football preseason meeting.
The Birdie wonders which WPIAL teams will cut the mustard
November 13, 2019
Last week: 3-1 (75.0%)
The Birdie won’t stop squawking about Westmoreland County teams in WPIAL playoffs
October 30, 2019
Last week: 11-2 (84.6)
The Birdie spends day begging for seeds as A-K Valley teams learn playoff opponents
Last week: 6-5 (54.5)
The Birdie is strutting his stuff with A-K Valley picks
October 23, 2019
Last week: 10-3 (76.9)
The Birdie making trick-or-tweet plans in Westmoreland County
Last week: 14-0 (1.000)
The Birdie likes what he sees on Westmoreland County gridirons
October 16, 2019
Last week: 10-3 (76.9)
The Birdie needs to bounce back after a week of pitiful prognostications in the A-K Valley
Overall record: 59-27 (69%)
Muddled Big East playoff picture has The Birdie’s feathers ruffled
October 9, 2019
Overall record: 54-21 (72%)
The Birdie picks his favorite Westmoreland County perches
Last week: 11-3 (78.6)
Like A-K Valley running backs, The Birdie can play through pain
October 2, 2019
Overall record: 48-16 (75%)
The Birdie keeps his seat on Southmoreland bandwagon
Last week: 12-1 (92.3)
Birdie fired up for Burrell-Deer Lakes air show
September 25, 2019
Overall Record: 40-14
The Birdie doesn’t need a backup to pick Westmoreland County games
Last week: 12-3 (80.0)
The Birdie gets set for a road trip out of Westmoreland County
Last week: 13-1 (92.9 %)
The Birdie goes online to help make A-K Valley football picks
September 11, 2019
A day doesn’t go by where the Birdie isn’t thinking about high school football. He walked into the office Monday with Saturday’s edition of the Valley News Dispatch in hand and was thumbing through it rapidly.
No clowning around in Westmoreland County for The Birdie
The Birdie
The Birdie sets sights on web stardom in Westmoreland County
September 4, 2019
Last week: 12-3 (80 percent)
The Birdie gets his mojo back while picking A-K Valley games
When the Birdie walked into the office on Monday, he had the biggest smile on his face.
The Birdie is on the clock picking Westmoreland County football games
August 28, 2019
The Birdie is on the clock.
The Birdie puts his faith in A-K Valley teams
When the Birdie came into the office Monday he was as mad as a fantasy football team owner who had just drafted Andrew Luck with his first-round pick five minutes before he made his retirement announcement.
The Birdie opines on Week Zero, Westmoreland County matchups
August 21, 2019
Four years after its inception, Week Zero remains a confusing proposition, even for Mr. Birdie.
The Birdie gets ready for Week Zero by picking A-K Valley winners
Unlike past years, The Birdie is unsure about his season-opening picks.
The Birdie predicts records for Westmoreland County football teams
August 17, 2019
Westmoreland County’s high school football expert spent a sizzling summer day at Kennywood Park when the TribLive High School Sports Network recognized its Top 25 preseason team.
The Birdie predicts Alle-Kiski Valley football records
The opening week of high school football is right around the corner, and The Birdie is fired up after his return trip to Pittsburgh following a long vacation.The Birdie states case as top-flight prognosticator for Westmoreland County
August 22, 2018
Last season: 119-30 (.799) The Birdie sat in a recent meeting about the new andquot;Trib 7andquot; series, which ranks the best WPIAL players of all-time
The Birdie gives props to Jeannette’s last men standing, makes semifinal pick
November 13, 2024
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
The Birdie learns his lesson, makes A-K Valley playoff picks
November 6, 2024
Last week: 2-2
The Birdie remembers slobber knockers of days gone by, makes Westmoreland County playoff picks
Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)
Get a little stitious with The Birdie’s playoff picks in A-K Valley football
October 30, 2024
Last week: 10-1
As he makes his playoff picks, The Birdie wonders which Westmoreland County team will keep streak alive
Last week: 7-5 (58.3%)
The Birdie is fit to be tied as he makes his Week 9 picks in the A-K Valley
October 23, 2024
Last week: 10-1
Pick or treat with The Birdie in Week 9 for Westmoreland County football
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
Fall in line as The Birdie makes his Week 8 picks in the A-K Valley
October 16, 2024
Last week: 10-1
Kicking and screaming, The Birdie makes his Week 8 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 11-1 (91.7%)
Appreciate The Birdie and his Week 7 picks in Westmoreland County
October 9, 2024
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie mulls new ways to predict games before Week 7 in A-K Valley
Last week: 8-2
The Birdie rules as he makes his Week 6 picks in the A-K Valley
October 2, 2024
Last week: 9-1
The Birdie makes his Week 6 Westmoreland County picks from the campaign trail
Season: 56-20
Are some wins on the menu for A-K Valley teams in The Birdie’s Week 5 picks?
September 25, 2024
Last week: 8-3
The Birdie lights it up with his Week 5 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 11-4 (73%)
The Birdie out to build his brand with Westmoreland County Week 4 picks
September 18, 2024
Last week: 7-7 (50%)
The Birdie turns whining into an art form before making his Week 4 A-K Valley picks
Last week: 9-2
Kicking and screaming, The Birdie makes his Week 3 picks in the A-K Valley
September 11, 2024
Last week: 7-2
Times have changed as The Birdie makes his Westmoreland County Week 3 picks
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
Dopey Birdie tries to bounce back from disastrous week of A-K Valley football picks
September 4, 2024
Last week: 3-7
The Birdie urges Westmoreland County contenders to not slack off
Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)
Don’t poke The Birdie as he makes his A-K Valley Week 1 picks
August 28, 2024
Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)
The Birdie’s Week 1 picks in Westmoreland County are the real deal
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie tells A-K Valley seniors to take a bow, or hit a Griddy, in Week Zero
August 21, 2024
At this time of year, high school football players, especially seniors, often are admonished by old folks to appreciate what they have before it’s gone.
When it comes to Westmoreland County high school football picks, The Birdie always delivers
Last season: 109-29 (79%)
The Birdie’s A-K Valley football picks are sure to be golden this season
August 18, 2024
Last season: 88-28 (75.9%)
Birdie ponders big question: Who will carry on Westmoreland County’s winning streak?
Last season: 109-29 (79%)
There’s nothing sweet about Belle Vernon’s matchup in the state finals, The Birdie says
December 6, 2023
Last week: 1-0 (100%)
The Birdie gets ready for an Acrisure Stadium football feast with Belle Vernon
November 23, 2023
Last week: 1-0 (100%)
The Birdie falling back in love with Leopards, the last Westmoreland County title hopefuls
November 15, 2023
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
The Birdie’s No. 1 priority is picking Westmoreland County playoff games
November 8, 2023
Last week: 8-1 (88.9%)
Time flies and so does The Birdie as he makes his A-K Valley playoff picks
November 1, 2023
Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)
The Birdie misses his trips to Green Tree, hopes to hit on Westmoreland County playoff picks
Last week: 9-2 (81.8%)
The Birdie gets playoff hopefuls fired up before making Week 9 A-K Valley picks
October 25, 2023
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
Strike up the band and get ready for The Birdie’s Week 9 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 13-1 (92.9%)
The Birdie makes a grand entrance before making Week 8 Westmoreland County picks
October 18, 2023
Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)
Birdie fixes Steelers problems on offense before making Week 8 A-K Valley picks
Last week: 6-4 (60%)
Don’t be alarmed when the Birdie makes his Westmoreland County Week 7 picks
October 11, 2023
Last week: 10-3 (76.9%)
Birdie paints playoff picture, makes Week 7 A-K Valley picks
Last week: 9-2 (81.8%)
The Birdie offers homecoming advice, A-K Valley Week 6 picks
October 4, 2023
The Birdie has noticed some things that have changed since he was in high school.
The Birdie provides bulletin-board fodder, Week 6 picks in Westmoreland County
Last week: 10-2 (83%)
The Birdie gets in the zone, makes Week 5 picks in A-K Valley football
September 27, 2023
As 7 p.m. approached last Friday night, The Birdie was tapping away feverishly at his laptop like a hungry chicken pecking at some feed.
The Birdie hands out 5-star reviews, makes Westmoreland County Week 5 picks
Last week: 11-3 (78.6%)
The Birdie stays on brand with his A-K Valley Week 4 picks
September 20, 2023
Last week: 7-5 (58.3%)
Bumper-to-bumper Westmoreland County traffic can’t slow down The Birdie
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%)
The Birdie’s Week 3 Westmoreland County picks are going downhill
September 13, 2023
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
The Birdie keeps his head held high heading into Week 2 in A-K Valley high school football
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie is feeling lucky with his Week 2 A-K Valley football picks
September 6, 2023
Last week: 7-3 (70%)
The Birdie isn’t goofing around anymore as he makes his Week 1 A-K Valley picks
August 30, 2023
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
Turn to The Birdie for all your landscaping needs … and for Westmoreland County Week 1 picks
Last week: 7-4 (63.6%)
The Birdie living up to the hype while picking Westmoreland County games
August 23, 2023
The Birdie
Stop bugging The Birdie as he makes his Week Zero picks in A-K Valley football
The Birdie
The Birdie writes a sweet column to kick off football season in the A-K Valley
August 20, 2023
The Birdie
After a long offseason, the Birdie is ready to stick to football and Westmoreland County picks
The Birdie
For 2nd straight December, The Birdie labors over a Westmoreland County state final pick
December 8, 2022
Last week: 0-1
The Birdie plays up Belle Vernon’s chances in WPIAL championship game
November 23, 2022
Last week: 1-0 (100%)
Birdie runs advance scouting mission for Belle Vernon, makes semifinal pick
November 16, 2022
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
Birdie shakes off bad luck, makes pick for last A-K Valley team standing
November 9, 2022
Last week: 2-3
Birdie feels pain of Westmoreland County teams in WPIAL football playoffs
Last week: 5-4 (56%)
Meeting or no meeting, The Birdie is psyched to make Westmoreland County playoff picks
November 2, 2022
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
Birdie counts down highlights of season, makes A-K Valley playoff picks
Last week: 8-1
Birdie gives twisted history lesson, Week 9 A-K Valley football picks
October 26, 2022
Last week: 9-2
While the Birdie waits for an NIL deal, he’ll make his Week 9 Westmoreland County picks
The Birdie
Birdie uses science to pick winner of A-K Valley game of the year in Week 8
October 19, 2022
Last week: 9-1
Celebrate those touchdowns, and these Week 8 Westmoreland County picks from The Birdie
Last week: 9-2 (81.8%)
The Birdie knows how to handle a bad Steelers season and how to make Week 7 A-K Valley picks
October 12, 2022
Last week: 9-3
The Birdie ponders probing questions, Westmoreland County Week 7 picks
Last week: 11-2 (84.6 %)
The Birdie stays grounded, like Burrell, as he makes his Week 6 picks in A-K Valley football
October 5, 2022
Last week: 12-0
Birdie sings praises of H-back, makes Week 6 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 10-2 (83%)
Warm up with some A-K Valley Week 5 picks from The Birdie
September 28, 2022
Last week: 12-1
The Birdie puts on his game face, brings his ‘A’ game to Week 5 Westmoreland County picks
Last week: 8-6 (57.1%)
The Birdie delivers Week 4 A-K Valley football picks with a hard candy shell
September 21, 2022
Last week: 10-2
Hempfield’s resurgence has Birdie all atwitter as he makes Westmoreland County Week 4 picks
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%)
Sick and tired of ‘next man up,’ The Birdie picks Week 3 games in the A-K Valley
September 14, 2022
Last week: 8-3
The Birdie has kind words for the WPIAL before picking Week 3 Westmoreland County slate
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Please excuse The Birdie as he makes his Week 2 picks in A-K Valley football
September 7, 2022
Week 2 picks in Westmoreland County are no piece of cake for The Birdie
Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)
Before A-K Valley teams kick off Week 1, The Birdie breaks out his hot air detector
August 31, 2022
Last week: 10-1
The Birdie has some pet peeves with Westmoreland County football
Last week: 10-0 (100%)
While making picket signs, The Birdie makes his A-K Valley Week Zero picks
August 24, 2022
In these volatile times, the Birdie spent the offseason becoming radicalized.
Check out The Birdie’s hodgepodge of Week Zero picks in Westmoreland County
The Birdie has been called a lot of things (never late for dinner), but when he heard a coach refer to him as a “hodgepodge of nothingness” at a recent media day, his ears perked up.
Acrisure enough, the Birdie’s back for another season of A-K Valley football picks
August 20, 2022
When The Birdie heard that Acrisure was spending $150 million to put its name on the big football field on the North Shore, a thought popped into his bird brain.
The Birdie predicts Acrisure or bust for Westmoreland County powers
Acrisure or bust.
Frazzled Birdie learns to not pick against Penn-Trafford
December 8, 2021
Last week: 0-1 (0%)
Birdie predicts state playoff ‘exet’ for last Westmoreland County team standing
December 1, 2021
Last week: 1-1 (50%)
While making Westmoreland County finals picks, Birdie sees red on Highway to Heinz
November 24, 2021
Last week: 2-0 (100 %)
The Birdie makes Heinz Field plans while picking Westmoreland County playoff games
November 17, 2021
Last week: 3-0 (100%)
The Birdie learns an important football lesson, picks A-K Valley playoff games
November 10, 2021
Last week: 4-3 (57.1%)
‘Tis the season for Westmoreland County playoff picks from The Birdie
Last week: 4-2 (66.7%)
The Birdie hits reset button, makes Westmoreland County playoff picks
November 3, 2021
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%)
The Birdie gets out his calculator and makes A-K Valley playoff picks
Last week: 8-1 (88.9%)
There’s no disguising Birdie’s ability to pick Westmoreland County winners
October 27, 2021
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
The Birdie writes the perfect pregame speech before making A-K Valley Week 9 picks
Last week: 12-1 (92.3%)
In the middle of a weird season, Birdie makes Westmoreland County picks
October 20, 2021
Last week: 12-1 (92.3%)
The Birdie sees a doozy of an A-K Valley playoff tiebreaker on the horizon
Last week: 9-1 (90%)
The Birdie ready to rock, roll and pick some Westmoreland County winners
October 13, 2021
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Wait for it, wait for it … OK, it’s time for The Birdie to make his A-K Valley picks
Last week: 5-6 (45.5%)
While waiting for a lifeguarding gig at Belle Vernon’s ‘Beach,’ The Birdie is picking Westmoreland County winners
October 6, 2021
Last week: 11-2 (84.6%)
Upsets have Birdie’s feathers ruffled while making A-K Valley picks
Last week: 5-6 (45.5%)
For Birdie, defining taunting proves daunting in Westmoreland County football
September 29, 2021
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Birdie eyes up the A-K Valley’s biggest stories to watch in football season’s 2nd half
Last week: 8-2 (80%)
The Birdie is running wild while making Week 4 Westmoreland County picks
September 22, 2021
Last week: 9-5 (64.3 %)
The Birdie might not be a spring chicken, but he still picks A-K Valley football winners
Last week: 8-3 (72.7%)
The Birdie plays the name game, makes Week 3 A-K Valley football picks
September 15, 2021
Last week: 7-3 (70%)
Before watching Westmoreland County football, The Birdie watches what he eats
Last week: 7-4 (63.6 %)
Birdie hops on Freiermuth bandwagon before picking this week’s A-K Valley matchups
September 8, 2021
Last week: 9-1 (90%)
Quoting Confucius and picking Westmoreland winners, The Birdie’s ready for Week 2
Last week: 8-4 (66.7%)
Before picking A-K Valley winners, The Birdie investigates Bishop Sycamore
September 1, 2021
Last week: 9-3 (75%)
Birdie hopes he picks Westmoreland County games better than he climbs crates
Last week: 8-3 (72.7 %)
The Birdie cashing in on his Westmoreland County pigskin picking reputation
August 25, 2021
Name. Image. Likeness.
The Birdie can’t always get what he wants as A-K Valley football kicks off
The Birdie was pecking at his plate from the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday, waiting for a friend to meet him for lunch the other day, when he realized it was way too early in the season to be dealing with a case of writer’s block.
High school football’s about to start in the A-K Valley? Sounds good to The Birdie
August 21, 2021
The Birdie
The Birdie takes his shot at predicting records for Westmoreland County teams
The Birdie
The Birdie thinks Jeannette will do the steamrolling in PIAA finals
November 25, 2020
Last week: 1-0
Birdie on board as Jeannette bandwagon rolls into Reynolds
November 19, 2020
Last week: 0-1
Everyone’s excited for Jeannette-Clairton rematch, including The Birdie
November 12, 2020
Last week: 3-0 (100.0 %)
Birdie maps out route to WPIAL title game for Penn-Trafford, Belle Vernon, Jeannette
November 5, 2020
Last week: 4-0 (100%)
Birdie ready to hit the road to follow Plum, Apollo-Ridge in WPIAL playoffs
Last week: 4-1 (80%)
The Birdie treats his readers to Westmoreland County playoff picks
October 29, 2020
Last week: 9-0 (100 %)
‘Tis the season for playoff football in the A-K Valley and the Birdie is psyched
Last week: 10-2 (83%)
The Birdie volunteers to campaign for A-K Valley bubble teams
October 22, 2020
Last Week: 8-1 (89%)
The Birdie trying to keep his chin up during challenging season
Last week: 10-1 (90.9 %)
The Birdie has questions, lots of questions, about Westmoreland County attendance limits
October 15, 2020
Last week: 11-1 (91.7 %)
Birdie doing his part to keep A-K Valley safe for football
Last Week: 8-2 (80%)
The Birdie wants bowl season to come to Westmoreland County
October 8, 2020
Last week: 8-4 (66.7 %)
Red-hot Birdie picking A-K Valley games with expert precision
Last Week: 8-1 (89%)
Birdie learns from experience, just like Apollo-Ridge, Plum and Springdale
October 1, 2020
Last Week: 7-3 (70%)
Birdie, Westmoreland County teams handling covid era pretty well
Last week: 9-5 (64.3 %)
The Birdie just wants to see live football in the A-K Valley
September 24, 2020
Last Week: 10-2 (84%)
The Birdie: Prognosticator puts pedal to metal for Week 3 in Westmoreland County
Last week: 10-4 (71.4%)
The Birdie crowing about perfect start to A-K Valley football season
September 17, 2020
Last week: 8-0 (100%)
Birdie off his game as Westmoreland County football teams open in mostly empty stadiums
Last week: 7-6 (53.8 %)
The Birdie happy to be back watching football in the A-K Valley
September 10, 2020
“It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here!”
Westmoreland County Week 1 matchups have Birdie grinning from ear to ear
The Birdie went to the dentist earlier this week for his six-month checkup, and, aside from getting his gums poked and prodded, accidentally swallowing some fluoride treatment and pocketing a free toothbrush, he received a boost of confidence.
Westmoreland County coaches give The Birdie the old ‘social distancing’ treatment
September 5, 2020
The Birdie has been asked to social distance before so the concept is not altogether new to the local prep football expert.
The Birdie whistling a happy tune now that football is back in the A-K Valley
The TribLive HSSN high school sports staff logged on to a video conference call for the annual high school football preseason meeting.
The Birdie wonders which WPIAL teams will cut the mustard
November 13, 2019
Last week: 3-1 (75.0%)
The Birdie won’t stop squawking about Westmoreland County teams in WPIAL playoffs
October 30, 2019
Last week: 11-2 (84.6)
The Birdie spends day begging for seeds as A-K Valley teams learn playoff opponents
Last week: 6-5 (54.5)
The Birdie is strutting his stuff with A-K Valley picks
October 23, 2019
Last week: 10-3 (76.9)
The Birdie making trick-or-tweet plans in Westmoreland County
Last week: 14-0 (1.000)
The Birdie likes what he sees on Westmoreland County gridirons
October 16, 2019
Last week: 10-3 (76.9)
The Birdie needs to bounce back after a week of pitiful prognostications in the A-K Valley
Overall record: 59-27 (69%)
Muddled Big East playoff picture has The Birdie’s feathers ruffled
October 9, 2019
Overall record: 54-21 (72%)
The Birdie picks his favorite Westmoreland County perches
Last week: 11-3 (78.6)
Like A-K Valley running backs, The Birdie can play through pain
October 2, 2019
Overall record: 48-16 (75%)
The Birdie keeps his seat on Southmoreland bandwagon
Last week: 12-1 (92.3)
Birdie fired up for Burrell-Deer Lakes air show
September 25, 2019
Overall Record: 40-14
The Birdie doesn’t need a backup to pick Westmoreland County games
Last week: 12-3 (80.0)
The Birdie gets set for a road trip out of Westmoreland County
Last week: 13-1 (92.9 %)
The Birdie goes online to help make A-K Valley football picks
September 11, 2019
A day doesn’t go by where the Birdie isn’t thinking about high school football. He walked into the office Monday with Saturday’s edition of the Valley News Dispatch in hand and was thumbing through it rapidly.
No clowning around in Westmoreland County for The Birdie
The Birdie
The Birdie sets sights on web stardom in Westmoreland County
September 4, 2019
Last week: 12-3 (80 percent)
The Birdie gets his mojo back while picking A-K Valley games
When the Birdie walked into the office on Monday, he had the biggest smile on his face.
The Birdie is on the clock picking Westmoreland County football games
August 28, 2019
The Birdie is on the clock.
The Birdie puts his faith in A-K Valley teams
When the Birdie came into the office Monday he was as mad as a fantasy football team owner who had just drafted Andrew Luck with his first-round pick five minutes before he made his retirement announcement.
The Birdie opines on Week Zero, Westmoreland County matchups
August 21, 2019
Four years after its inception, Week Zero remains a confusing proposition, even for Mr. Birdie.
The Birdie gets ready for Week Zero by picking A-K Valley winners
Unlike past years, The Birdie is unsure about his season-opening picks.
The Birdie predicts records for Westmoreland County football teams
August 17, 2019
Westmoreland County’s high school football expert spent a sizzling summer day at Kennywood Park when the TribLive High School Sports Network recognized its Top 25 preseason team.
The Birdie predicts Alle-Kiski Valley football records
The opening week of high school football is right around the corner, and The Birdie is fired up after his return trip to Pittsburgh following a long vacation.The Birdie states case as top-flight prognosticator for Westmoreland County
August 22, 2018
Last season: 119-30 (.799) The Birdie sat in a recent meeting about the new andquot;Trib 7andquot; series, which ranks the best WPIAL players of all-time
