Birdie hops on Freiermuth bandwagon before picking this week’s A-K Valley matchups

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | 4:43 PM

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Last week: 9-1 (90%)

Season: 16-4 (81.8%)

The Birdie spent an afternoon this week scouring the internet for a No. 88 Steelers jersey in women’s avian sizes.

He really wanted to get Mrs. Birdie a Pat Freiermuth jersey.

“Can’t find one,” the exasperated Birdie huffed. “Guy catches two touchdown passes in one preseason game, and now every Yinzer from here to Blawnox wants to wear his name on their back.”

Birdie had an ulterior motive for wanting to buy the shirt, though.

It wasn’t because Mrs. Birdie is a particularly big fan of the Steelers tight end. It’s because he thinks the two of them have a lot in common.

“Neither one of them lets anything drop,” Birdie said with a wink.

On to this week’s games.

• Avonworth (2-0) at Freeport (1-1) The Yellowjackets are coming off a 28-14 victory over Knoch to take the inaugural Pike Trophy, which is an actual, stuffed fish mounted on a plaque given to the winner in the annual rivalry. The trophy would be cooler if it also sang the McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish jingle. Avonworth, meanwhile, is one of the toughest 3A teams to come down the pike. Avonworth 34, Freeport 13

• Brentwood (1-1) at Leechburg (2-0): America’s Team, the team everyone should be rooting for to snap the WPIAL’s longest playoff drought, moves up to take on a Class 2A opponent. A win here would give the Blue Devils some momentum heading into the roughest stretch of their season — Clairton and Springdale back to back. Leechburg, 20-19

• Burrell (0-2) at Highlands (2-0): The Birdie prides himself on knowing the depth chart of each A-K Valley team, but he doesn’t know who Highlands’ punter is. The Golden Rams themselves might not know. Haven’t had to use one yet. Highlands, 40-6

• Fox Chapel (0-2) at Plum (0-2): The Foxes should have a few stern words for the schedule maker. Their first two opponents, Peters Township and Hampton, look tough. For Plum, the reloading process after a playoff season has been less than smooth. The trajectory of someone’s season changes Friday night. Plum, 21-20

• Greensburg C.C. (1-1) at Apollo-Ridge (0-2): Much like Plum, Apollo-Ridge has hit some speed bumps in the early going as it looks to rebuild after an outstanding season. Greensburg C.C., 26-21

• Kiski Area (2-0) at Latrobe (1-1): The Cavaliers prevented the Birdie from having an undefeated record in Week 1. The Birdie mighty be annoying, but he’s no dummy. He won’t underestimate them again. Kiski Area, 34-13

• Knoch (0-2) at Deer Lakes (0-2): So the Lancers go from facing one of the most pass-happy teams in the WPIAL to facing the committed, ground-based attack of the Knights. Talk about a culture shock. If the Knights can get over the emotional blow of failing to win a fish on a board, they’ll come out on top. Knoch, 14-6

• Valley (0-2) at Shady Side Academy (1-1): Word on the street is that Valley coach Muzzy Colosimo got himself a Twitter account. Hey, Muzzy, leave the tweeting to the Birdie. Anyway, the Vikings get right after a tough schedule to start the season. Valley, 27-20

• Carlynton (0-2) at Riverview (0-1): Carlynton is off to a slow start, and the Raiders should be shot out of a cannon after an unexpected week off because of a covid situation. Riverview, 27-7

• Springdale (2-0) at Summit Academy (0-2): Strange days in the Class A Eastern Conference. Bishop Canevin, Leechburg and Imani Christian are a combined 5-0. Clairton and Jeannette are a combined 0-3. The Dynamos are unbeaten too and will stay that way. Springdale, 40-6

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Avonworth, Brentwood, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Greensburg C.C., Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Latrobe, Leechburg, Plum, Shady Side Academy, Valley