The Birdie needs a pep talk after tough week picking games in A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 | 7:00 PM

Last week: 6-5 (.545)

Season: 35-8 (.814)

The Birdie spent much of the time since last Friday listening to pep talks.

Whether from movies, songs or real life, The Birdie thought he needed a bit of a pick-me-up after pretty average results in Week 3.

“Six and five,” The Birdie said, indicating his record. “That’s unacceptable. I expect much better than that.”

Eventually The Birdie got over his brief period of doubt. Looking in the mirror, he said out loud, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”

Well, maybe not that last one. But as the great philosopher Meat Loaf said, “Two out of three ain’t bad.”

Some A-K Valley teams could use their own pep talk. But will it work as well as it did for The Birdie?

Friday

Ambridge (1-3, 0-1) at Knoch (1-3, 1-2)

It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. As Knoch found out last week, that’s how winning is done.

Knoch, 21-14

Avonworth (3-1, 1-1) at Apollo-Ridge (2-2, 1-1)

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No. And it’s not over for the Vikings, but they need to start playing better.

Avonworth, 27-14

Beaver (3-1, 2-1) at Highlands (0-4, 0-2)

Fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.

Beaver, 28-13

Burrell (1-3, 1-2) at Yough (2-2, 2-1)

Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half. The Bucs had both halves last week, but Dustin Shoaf’s no fun to defend.

Yough, 35-24

Deer Lakes (1-2, 1-2) at Mt. Pleasa nt (1-3, 1-1)

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. The Lancers will do that after losing a 13-point lead last week, but will they succeed this time?

Mt. Pleasant, 20-13

Freeport (0-3, 0-3) at Uniontown (0-4, 0-3)

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Uniontown’s defenders can’t hit what their eyes don’t see.

Freeport, 35-7

Hampton (1-3, 0-3) at Fox Chapel (0-4, 0-3)

If you’re not first, you’re last. Actually, the team that loses this game is last.

Hampton, 28-21

Kiski Area (3-1, 2-1) at Penn Hills (4-0, 2-0)

The only thing the Cavaliers have to fear is fear itself … although those Penn Hills skill players are pretty scary, too.

Penn Hills, 42-21

Riverview (0-3, 0-2) at Leechburg (1-3, 0-2)

For one of these teams, Friday will be known as the day where they say, “We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on!”

Leechburg, 14-13

Springdale (0-3, 0-2) at Jeannette (4-0, 2-0)

What an incredible Cinderella story, out of nowhere, it would be for the Dynamos to knock off the defending state champs. Unfortunately, they’re no Carl Spackler.

Jeannette, 47-14

Steel Valley (2-1, 2-1) at Valley (1-3, 0-2)

The night is darkest before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming for Valley. Just not this week.

Steel Valley, 34-14

Saturday

Plum (1-3, 0-3) at McKeesp ort (3-1, 2-1)

It’s the eye of the Tigers, it’s the thrill of the fight … but right now, the Mustangs aren’t rising up to the challenge of their rivals.

McKeesport, 38-14

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Knoch, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley