The Birdie names names while making his Westmoreland County Week 4 picks

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 6:39 PM

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Last week: 13-1

Season: 35-15 (70%)

The Birdie has many odd hobbies, some normal, some way out there, but perusing local rosters for the best names is one of his favorites. It keeps the high priest of the Westmoreland pigskin entertained. (As you know, it doesn’t take much.)

“I put on my cheater-reader glasses and scan for the real eye-catchers, the ones that speak to me, the ones that truly sing,” Birdie said, squinting at his scribbled-on football tabloid. “This year’s list includes several names who might fit better at other schools. For instance, LeTrey Derry plays for Greensburg Salem, not Derry, whereas Jake Knight is an ideal fit at Norwin.

“Makes me think back to NBA player Buddy Jeannette from New Kensington. He was never a Jayhawk. Or, my favorite player from the 1920s, Birdie Maher of the Detroit Heralds.”

A 13-1 week has the county crystal gazer in a good mood.

Here are some of his other preferred names:

• Blaise Burrell, Penn-Trafford. “Another misplaced name. Kind of like Norwin athletic director Mike Burrell. Wonder if there is a Norwin on a Burrell roster?”

• Danny Noonan, Latrobe. “Any ‘Caddyshack’ fans out there? This name is too good for the lumberyard.”

• Cash Fetty, Penn-Trafford. “I love it. I hear the train a-comin’.”

• Rage Suchar, Mt. Pleasant. “Give me a better first name for a linebacker. I’ll wait.”

• Kiddrix Mursch, Yough. “It rolls off the tongue.”

• Jet Taylor, Franklin Regional. “He has that running game taking off.”

• DeAubre Lightfoot, Belle Vernon. “More like fleet of foot, this kid.”

• Aiden Lent, Greensburg Central Catholic. “He enjoys football, not fish, on Fridays.”

• Cooper Beers, Yough. “He pairs well with his teammate, Jackson Pore. Send a cold pitcher this way.”

Now to this week’s games where the yellow guru will attempt to name winners:

Hempfield (3-1, 0-1) at Central Catholic (3-1, 1-0): Hempfield will provide some competition for the Vikings early but will fade in the end. Central Catholic, 42-14

North Allegheny (4-0, 1-0) at Norwin (3-1, 1-0): Norwin will benefit from playing the Tigers at home but ultimately won’t be able to match their front line. Mistakes will prove costly. North Allegheny, 35-25

Gateway (1-3, 1-0) at Franklin Regional (0-4, 0-1): Both teams are struggling, but it’s a neighboring-rival game, so it could still be a good one. Special teams will come into play. Gateway, 13-10

Kiski Area (1-3, 0-1) at Penn-Trafford (3-1, 0-1): Look for the host Warriors to move the football with ease early and often as they bounce back from a knockout against Woodland Hills. Penn-Trafford, 32-14

Latrobe (2-2, 1-) at Armstrong (1-3, 0-0): Latrobe is trying to get healthy, but even a full lineup might struggle against the River Hawks. The passing game will play a large part in the victory. Armstrong, 19-14

OLSH (1-3, 0-1) at Ligonier Valley (0-4, 0-1): This has the look of Ligonier Valley’s first win. Home game against a team that allows a lot of points. The Wing-T will move the ball. Ligonier Valley, 20-15

Greensburg Central Catholic (2-2, 0-1) at Brentwood (2-2, 1-0): Greensburg Central Catholic will go on the road and right the wrongs from last week’s loss to Clairton. Back to big plays. GCC, 35-20

Jeannette (3-1, 1-0) at Leechburg (3-1, 1-0): Who is up for a shootout on the turf at Veterans Memorial Stadium? Big plays will be traded, and the team that doesn’t wrap up and make tackles will lose. Jeannette, 42-41

Belle Vernon (1-2) at South Fayette (3-1): In another game that could go back and forth, South Fayette will have more success in the red zone and hit some hefty pass plays. South Fayette, 24-14

Blackhawk (1-3) at Yough (2-2): Yough will need to play flawless football in all three phases to slow down Blackhawk and win the battle of Cougars. Blackhawk, 38-13

Derry (3-1) at Indiana (1-3): Derry has shown some fight, and the Trojans will make one or two more plays than the Class 4A Little Indians. Derry, 16-14

Greensburg Salem (2-2) at Ambridge (0-4): The bus will rack up miles, but Greensburg Salem’s rushing attack will pile up yards. Greensburg Salem, 17-9

Mt. Pleasant (2-2) at Laurel Highlands (2-2): Pending a better injury report, Mt. Pleasant should have enough up front to take down the Mustangs. Mt. Pleasant, 20-14

Ringgold (3-1) at Southmoreland (4-0): Offensive fireworks will light up this matchup, but the team that commits fewer penalties will win. A trick play will come into play. Southmoreland, 34-28

Monessen (4-0, 1-0) at Fort Cherry (4-0, 1-0): Fort Cherry is a WPIAL and PIAA contender in single-A. This will be a nice test, but not a win for Monessen. Fort Cherry, 35-15

Tags: Ambridge, Armstrong, Belle Vernon, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Central Catholic, Derry Area, Fort Cherry, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Indiana, Jeannette, Kiski Area, Latrobe, Laurel Highlands, Leechburg, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, North Allegheny, Norwin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn-Trafford, Ringgold, South Fayette, Southmoreland, Yough