The Birdie hands out game balls, makes Week 7 picks in A-K Valley

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 8:43 PM

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Last week: 7-4

Season: 61-15 (80.3%)

When The Birdie flew back to the office late Friday night, his weekly tour of football stadiums (and concession stands) complete, he put his feet up on the desk and smiled.

“I’m not going to lie,” he began. “There have been times this season when I’ve wondered if this was going to be a depressing football season in the A-K Valley. Where were the playoff teams? Where were the feel-good stories?

“Not wondering that anymore. Saw some great stuff tonight. I could give out a bunch of game balls.”

So he did:

• Start with Apollo-Ridge. Down 14-11, the Vikings got the ball at their own 12 with 1 minutes, 59 seconds to play. Alex Clawson ran that two-minute drill like an NFL quarterback. Was Zac Myers’ TD catch in the final seconds the play of the year?

The Birdie probably brings this fact up too much, but this was a one-win team a year ago. The Vikings knew they were better than that, and they’re showing it every chance they get this year.

• Now move on to Highlands and Freeport. What a heavyweight slugfest. Highlands’ Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg showed what a game-changer he is. Freeport’s Amos Glenn might have come out on the losing end this time, but he’s a big-time playmaker too.

Who’s going to want to draw either of these teams in the playoffs?

• Did you see Harran Zureikat’s 57-yard field goal for Fox Chapel? What a boot. Zureikat and his generation have made kicking cool. A 57-yard field goal makes for a great TikTok video.

The Pennsylvania record is 64 yards. The national high school record is 68. Got one of those in that leg, Harran?

• After Springdale called off its game with Leechburg the week before because of a lack of healthy players, The Birdie was expecting a bad scene for the Dynamos when they visited powerful Clairton.

But you know what? That’s not what he saw at all. Yeah, the Dynamos lost 51-0, but they dusted themselves off after every physical hit the Bears delivered. In the fourth quarter, they even started moving the ball a little bit, no small feat against the Clairton defense.

Of course the Dynamos still have a lot of work to do to get to where they want to be. The Birdie’s not blowing smoke here. But they should hold their heads high after Friday night.

There’s no quit in Springdale.

Here’s hoping there are just as many highlights in Week 7.

Highlands (4-3) at Burrell (3-4): This is a chance for the Bucs to show they’re in the thick of the playoff race. Golden Rams have tons of momentum, though. Highlands, 28-13.

Armstrong (3-4) at Kiski Area (3-4): Props to the Cavaliers for putting their foot down after a four-game losing streak. This one will be tough, but they’re capable. Kiski Area, 21-20

Plum (2-5) at Fox Chapel (2-5): Should be a good ballgame. The Foxes led most of the way last week against Franklin Regional, and the Mustangs have had their moments. Plum, 14-12

Knoch (0-7) at Hampton (3-4): Talbots righted the ship last week after a three-game skid. Hampton, 27-13

Imani Christian (7-0) at Deer Lakes (1-6): The schedule doesn’t let up for the Lancers. Imani Christian, 35-7

Valley (0-7) at East Allegheny (1-6): Vikings are making some strides on offense. They need the defense to catch up. East Allegheny, 21-19

Apollo-Ridge (5-2) at South Allegheny (7-0): The Birdie hate, hate, hates picking against the Vikings after last week, but the Cook brothers are pretty awesome. South Allegheny, 28-21

Leechburg (5-1) at Clairton (5-1): No disrespect to the Blue Devils — they’re legit — but the Bears haven’t allowed a point in five games. Clairton, 34-6

Riverview (4-3) at Frazier (3-4): Raiders need to flush last week’s loss and get going again. Riverview, 34-13

Springdale (0-5) at Greensburg C.C. (3-4): Don’t be fooled by their record. The Centurions are dangerous. Greensburg Central Catholic, 27-7

Hopewell (5-2) at Freeport (6-1): Two high-octane offenses in a fun nonconference clash. Save me a seat in the bleachers. Freeport, 34-33

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Burrell, Clairton, Deer Lakes, East Allegheny, Fox Chapel, Frazier, Freeport, Greensburg C.C., Hampton, Highlands, Hopewell, Imani Christian, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, South Allegheny, Springdale, Valley