The Birdie is ready to feast his eyes on Westmoreland County football in Week Zero

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 5:30 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Last season: 102-34 (.75%)

Seeing is believing.

The Birdie huffed on his bifocals and wiped them with his T-shirt.

He then went to several local training camps to get a closer look at teams and either perpetuate or dash the hype surrounding them.

(Some of the stringers, he thinks, tend to overrate their assigned teams.)

“If you passed my eye test, teams, congratulations,” Birdie said, pushing his specs up the bridge of his nose. “You don’t get a plaque or gift card or anything. But you looked good. The rest of you have to earn my respect.

“I know what a lot of you can do. Now, I want to see what you can do.”

Week Zero has the Westmoreland County football expert bouncing off the walls in the office. He can’t wait to check out some games Friday night.

“They are doing some remodeling and moved my desk,” Birdie said. “Maybe they are scanning for mold like Norwin. Well, I can’t find my desk, so I have been doing the Ickey Shuffle on other people’s workstations. I will replace those picture frames, broken bobbleheads and coffee mugs when I get my first check of the season. Oh, and those awards, too … yikes. At least I didn’t break my glasses. Heck, I didn’t even blink.”

The Birdie spent a few days at the Westmoreland Fair to clear his mind before the season starts.

He had a bad run-in with a camel at the petting zoo but predicted the winner of the pig race and enjoyed the demolition derby and rodeo.

The animals and rides reminded him of some of the teams he saw during camp.

“You have your beef, your agile ones, some wreckers and some that are just for show,” Birdie said.

The smell of wet hay off him, he has narrowed the teams he likes into categories.

He predicts some surprises from the Westmoreland County corner of the map.

Big and strong: Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Mt. Pleasant

Fast: Jeannette, Southmoreland, Greensburg Central Catholic

Deep: Penn-Trafford, Hempfield, Norwin

Unproven: Latrobe, Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem, Ligonier Valley, Derry

Sneaky: Norwin, Hempfield, Franklin Regional

With the eye test finished, it’s time for the Birdie’s opening week picks:

Connellsville at Latrobe: Latrobe will show off some new names on offense and get off to a strong start. Latrobe, 28-20

Greensburg Salem at Albert Gallatin: A long road trip won’t help the Golden Lions, who are trying to jell up front with a new line. Albert Gallatin, 21-14

Jeannette at Mt. Pleasant: Jeannette came back to beat the Vikings last season, but the Jayhawks will hold them back this time in a good game. Jeannette, 34-28

Ligonier Valley at Derry: There are plenty of positions to be filled on both rosters. Ligonier Valley will tune up its offense early. Ligonier Valley, 20-8

Monessen at Charleroi: Monessen isn’t the same big-play threat it was a year ago, but the Greyhounds should get past the Cougars. Monessen, 22-18

North Hills at Hempfield: Hempfield will be playing with emotion in its home opener, and its underrated skill players will shine. Hempfield, 21-16

Norwin at Penn-Trafford: The game everyone is talking about could be a gem. Norwin could win the battle up front, which would be a change of pace, but the Warriors could be dangerous if they get up early. Norwin, 23-21

Plum at Franklin Regional: Neighboring rivals tend to make the Birdie’s job harder. In this case, he thinks Plum will show more talent at the skill positions. Plum, 21-14

Shady Side Academy at Greensburg Central Catholic: A potential shootout is on the bingo card, but GCC has more firepower and will do more scoring. GCC, 34-22

Southmoreland at Valley: It’s a new regime at Southmoreland, and the Scotties still have plenty of talent. They should get into the end zone often. Southmoreland, 30-14

Yough at Brentwood: Yough will be challenged on the road in its first game of the season but should do enough on both sides of the ball to hold off the Spartans. Yough, 15-13

Tags: Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Brentwood, Charleroi, Connellsville, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, North Hills, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Plum, Shady Side Academy, Southmoreland, Valley, West Allegheny, Yough