The Birdie can handle the truth as he makes his Westmoreland County playoff picks

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 6:28 PM

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Last week: 10-2

Season: 99-27 (79%)

It is playoff time, and to celebrate the “real ones,” as he says, the Birdie is speaking the truth.

Make that, truths.

Westmoreland County’s prep football oracle said this is the time of year that separates the contenders from the pretenders.

He finishes his Arby’s steak nuggets and grabs the mic.

“There aren’t many sure things in life — death, taxes, all that jazz — but I have a few more for yinz,” Birdie said, rubbing on eye black with a quick swipe right and then left. “Let’s start with this one: Four classes will always be the best thing for WPIAL pigskin. Yeah, let’s do that again, please.

“Furthermore, there is only one Hempfield. That one out east doesn’t count (all due respect District 3 Landisville). … The best “Halloween” movie is III, “Season of the Witch.” … Jeannette is the standard for the WPIAL playoffs in Westmoreland County. … Gardner points are a fancy term for AP calculus (Get rid of them.) … All Penn-Trafford does is win. … $25 million is too much for a high school stadium. … There are too many teams in the playoffs. … Oh, and lastly, there is only one Birdie: me. All other prognosticators are just tribute bands trying to be me, playing shows at The Palace on Tuesday nights.”

The Birdie hopes his playoff predictions are also a sure thing.

“Remember, no Penn-Trafford in this week’s picks,” Birdie said. “The Warriors have a bye. And playoff teams, watch out for Turf Ferguson. He will wrap you up.

“As Kurt Cobain once said, ‘Here we are now, entertain us.’ ”

Here we go …

Derry (6-4) at Highlands (7-3): Derry was in the WPIAL playoffs two years ago, but this is a different group and a different line. The Trojans will have to buckle down defensively and limit penalties they’ve gotten away with the last few games, but they can win the battle up front. Highlands, though, has more to offer offensively and will hit a few big plays early. Highlands, 26-16

Hopewell (6-4) at Southmoreland (9-1): The time has come for Southmoreland. Is Hopewell dangerous offensively? Yes. Is its quarterback a stud? Yes. But the Scotties have come too far to let Lucy pull away that football again. The defense will do its job, and the offense will do just enough to finally get that maiden playoff win. Southmoreland, 20-18.

Jeannette (7-3) at Bentworth (8-2): Bentworth is a scary opponent for the Jayhawks because of its stingy defense and six-game winning streak. But the Birdie thinks Jeannette has more offensive playmakers. It will come down to mistakes and who makes fewer of them. Bentworth barely made the playoffs last year. Jeannette made the semis. Jeannette, 23-17

Greensburg Central Catholic (5-5) at Bishop Canevin (7-3): GCC has been impressive in overcoming injuries and embracing the next-man-up mentality, and that Leechburg win was blue-collar beautiful, but the Centurions won’t have enough firepower to match scores with the Crusaders. Bishop Canevin, 30-20

Monessen (6-4) at Clairton (8-1): Monessen has been one of the toughest teams to figure out for the Birdie. The Greyhounds have cost him several wins. But this week is Halloween, and you never bet against the orange and black of Clairton at this time of year. The Greyhounds will break the scoreless streak, but it will be all Bears. Clairton, 46-8

Tags: Bentworth, Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Derry Area, Greensburg C.C., Highlands, Hopewell, Jeannette, Monessen, North Allegheny, Norwin, Southmoreland