The Birdie bellyaches about bells and whistles as he makes his Week 7 Westmoreland County picks

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 8:42 PM

Last week: 10-1

Season: 67-22 (75%)

Stadium technology has ruffled the Birdie’s feathers.

Let him explain.

“It used to just be about football,” the legendary high school football expert said. “Now, it’s like going to a concert. I can’t get a good parking spot, I get searched when I go through the gates and these flashing lights are getting silly.

“Are we watching some gridiron or a laser show? If I want twinkling lights, I’ll go to Overly’s. We cater too much to the audience. It’s about the teams.”

The Birdie, fresh off a 10-1 week (thanks a lot, Monessen) understands why there are heightened security measures but thinks metal detectors are a sign of the times.

“People don’t know how to act at most sporting events these days,” Birdie said. “We need bad fan detectors, not something that beeps over a belt buckle. Parents, aunts and uncles — yes, I am talking to you too, grandma — need to respect the coaches and officials better. I am only talking to a select few, but you know who you are. You’re embarrassing yourself and your kid when you act a fool.

“Maybe ban cellphones so people don’t film and post these perps in action.”

As for the LED lights that have taken high school football fields by storm, the Birdie is willing to live with them — for now.

“They flash for starting lineups and touchdowns for home teams, which adds to the atmosphere,” he said. “It is pretty cool now, but a novelty item — and a money maker for the light brass. This is a fad that will wear off. Like lava lamps. Just get back to the basics.”

Now for his take on Week 7:

Norwin (5-2, 2-1) at Central Catholic (6-1, 3-0): Norwin has taken large strides this year, but the Knights are on a long list of teams that simply can’t compete with the Vikings. This one won’t hurt the Knights’ playoff chances. Central Catholic, 42-14

Seneca Valley (2-5, 0-3) at Hempfield (4-3, 1-3): Hempfield wants a playoff berth, and the pass-happy Spartans will help their chances with another conference win. Hempfield, 34-16

Penn-Trafford (6-1, 2-1) at Franklin Regional (1-6, 0-3): A backyard brawl that will lose some of its luster this year; look for Penn-Trafford to roll. Penn-Trafford, 35-7

Belle Vernon (1-5, 0-2) at Laurel Highlands (2-5, 0-2): Belle Vernon is down a bit on talent, but the Leopards have been in a lot of games this season. It will get a break from a meat grinder of a schedule. Belle Vernon, 20-10

Derry (3-4, 0-2) at Greensburg Salem (2-5, 0-2): The deciding factor here will be the play of the front lines. You block, you win. This will be a pad-cracking conference clash. Derry, 24-20

Elizabeth Forward (6-1, 2-0) at Yough (2-5, 0-2): Big plays from the start will be Yough’s undoing. Elizabeth Forward, 49-6

Mt. Pleasant (5-2, 2-0) at Southmoreland (7-0, 2-0): They like to call this Norvelt vs. Alverton. You don’t need a map to tell which team has more weapons. But Mt. Pleasant will put a scare into the Scotties. Southmoreland, 28-20

South Park (3-4, 0-3) at Ligonier Valley (1-6, 1-3): Both teams want to avoid finishing last in the Allegheny Conference. South Park has been better at finishing drives. South Park, 20-14

Brentwood (2-4, 1-2) at Jeannette (4-3, 2-2): Jeannette needs to take care of business to stay on track for a playoff spot. This will be all business on homecoming night. Jeannette, 27-13

Springdale (0-5, 0-3) at Greensburg Central Catholic (3-4, 1-3): Springdale has battled low roster numbers. The Dynamos also will be sparse on yardage. The Centurions will act fast. GCC, 44-0

Pine-Richland (6-1) at Latrobe (2-5): Latrobe didn’t ask anyone to shorten quarters, which the Birdie respects, but it will be a long 48 minutes for the Wildcats. Pine-Richland, 49-14

Monessen (4-3, 1-2) at Burgettstown (1-4, 0-3): Monessen will get out of the gates with momentum and won’t let up. Monessen, 24-12

Tags: Belle Vernon, Brentwood, Burgettstown, Central Catholic, Derry Area, 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