Sports
The Birdie returns to predict how the season will go for Westmoreland County teams
August 18, 2018
Last season: 119-30 (.799) In an effort to keep up with the younger crowd, the Birdie tries to stay hip to new trends on social
WPIAL Class 2A breakdown: More teams could mean more competition, parity
Class 2A has been nothing if not predictable in the two years since expansion to six classifications. In 2016, Steel Valley rolled to a perfect
New coach Keefer aims to get Southmoreland on winning track
For a football program entering its 55th season, a feeling of newness surrounds the Southmoreland Scotties. There's a new coach in Dave Keefer, some new
Yough looks to give Shoaf room to run
On the surface, Yough has the cliched look of a one-man show with standout Dustin Shoaf returning to defend his WPIAL rushing title. Shoaf is
Penn-Trafford remains confident after runner-up finish
Penn-Trafford knew what it had last season: a host of returning talent endowed with experience and rooted in senior leadership. It was the Warriors' big
Monessen looks to take another positive step
Qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs is usually not something to celebrate at Monessen. Most years, it's a given. Monessen boasts one of Western Pennsylvania's more
Norwin hoping to make noise in ‘open’ Class 6A
If attitude can produce wins, then Norwin could be in store for a big season. Since Dave Brozeski became coach in 2014, the Knights have
Mt. Pleasant bidding for return to postseason
You could say Mt. Pleasant enters the 2018 football season with a veteran club. Right down to the coach. Well, it's a more experienced bunchExperienced Ligonier Valley again returns strong lineup
Don't expect the Ligonier Valley football team to slow down after winning consecutive District 6 Class 2A and Heritage Conference titles. The Rams are primed
Latrobe looks to continue momentum, eyes return to playoffs
Latrobe challenged the results of its best season in six years by winning four games in 2017 to support coach Jason Marucco's long-term plan for
Jeannette takes aim at first WPIAL repeat in over a decade
With several key pieces gone from its WPIAL and PIAA championship team, Jeannette has some slight concerns. That's the tinge of bad news. The good
Hempfield looks to replace offensive standouts
There are nine teams in WPIAL Class 6A. Hempfield hopes to avoid being one of the three that doesn't make the playoffs. andquot;It's the best
Heritage Conference breakdown: Northern Cambria looks to challenge Ligonier Valley
Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel said he doesn't know what two Heritage Conference coaches didn't pick his team to finish first in a preseason poll.
More experience could mean more victories for Greensburg Central Catholic
Before the start of last season -- Aaron Smetanka's first as coach at Greensburg Central Catholic -- inexperience was a key talking point for a
Greensburg Salem chasing playoff berth after near-misses in ’16, ’17
It's been seven years since the Greensburg Salem football team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs. The Golden Lions were close the past two seasons, but
Derry looks to recover from off-season injuries to running backs
Derry football coach Tim Sweeney wasn't in a good mood back in July during the Westmoreland County Coaches' Association seven-on-seven tournament. He wasn't pleased with
Healthy Franklin Regional to benefit from underclassmen’s experience
Franklin Regional was bitten by the injury bug in 2017, which forced coach Greg Botta to use a lot of underclassmen in key games. Franklin
A lot to offer: Talented crop brings recruiting buzz to Westmoreland County
Norwin is humming with football attention on the eve of a new season. Yes, Norwin. Knights Stadium was selected to host the WPIAL Class 5A
Heavy hitters: A-K Valley bruisers pack a punch on offense, defense
Mere words can't describe the satisfaction of a big hit, at least not in Conor Selinger's eyes. It's more about the feeling. Take an Allegheny
Valley focused on ‘making plays’ in new-look Allegheny Conference
Make a play. A simple three-word message has transformed into Valley's rally cry. But instead of just making a play, the Vikings are loaded with
