The Birdie ponders what might have been for Norwin, makes Week 8 Westmoreland County picks

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 6:56 PM

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Last week: 11-1

Season: 78-23 (77%)

The Birdie has his eye on Norwin as the regular season winds into the final two weeks.

He spins a what-could-have-been narrative for the Knights that could be bittersweet to the football fans of North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin.

Excuse His Excellence if he is putting the cart before the horse.

“Sports are all about timing,” Birdie said. “Sometimes, fate intervenes. Other times, it just isn’t meant to be. In Norwin’s case, we could have a little of both.”

This Knights’ tale could have had a blockbuster ending.

“So, let’s look at the scenario,” Birdie said. “Norwin makes the 6A playoffs and gets the No. 3 seed. The Knights get matched up with No. 2 North Allegheny in a rematch we all want to see. OK, stay with me …

“Norwin plays the game of its program’s life, I mean an all-timer, and upsets the Tigers before a spillover crowd at Newman Stadium. The Knights — gulp — advance to the WPIAL championship. Do you realize if this happens a year ago, the Knights would be playing for a title at home? (Boom, mind blown).

“Imagine the pageantry. The pomp and circumstance.”

Unfortunately, Norwin is not hosting the WPIAL finals this year — the Class 6A final will be at Pine-Richland — as it prepares to rip down Knights Stadium and build a new, $25 million “Castle.”

“It better come with a dragon and a moat,” Birdie said, snickering. “It’s too bad we couldn’t have a team win a WPIAL title on its home field. Remember when the Tampa Bay Bucs and Los Angeles Rams won back-to-back Super Bowls on their home turf in 2021 and ‘22? It would be WPIAL bedlam. I guess it will have to wait.”

An ugly loss by Hempfield prevented the Birdie from a perfect week. He is 21-2 the last two weeks.

Ready, set, hut for Week 8:

Canon-McMillan (4-4, 2-2) at Norwin (5-3, 2-2): Norwin has its eyes on the postseason and will tune up the right way. Norwin, 28-14

Hempfield (4-4, 1-3) at Mt. Lebanon (1-7, 1-3): The passing game will be the difference as the Spartans bounce back and continue their bid for a playoff spot. Hempfield, 23-20

Armstrong (3-5, 2-2) at Penn-Trafford (7-1, 3-1): A conference title still is within reach for the Warriors, who will move the ball and finish drives. Penn-Trafford, 30-17

Franklin Regional (1-7, 0-4) at Woodland Hills (6-2, 4-0): A long season for the Panthers continues with a necessary evil on the schedule. Woodland Hills, 49-7

Gateway (2-6, 2-3) at Latrobe (2-6, 1-3): Latrobe can compete in its final home game of 2025, but it will have to come with few drive-killing penalties. Gateway, 30-18

Ringgold (4-4, 1-2) at Belle Vernon (2-5, 1-2): Belle Vernon has one of the toughest schedules around, and it gets no reprieve with Ringgold. Belle Vernon, 17-14

Elizabeth Forward (7-1, 3-0) at Southmoreland (8-0, 3-0): The game of the year in the Interstate. Get there early or you might miss the fireworks. Elizabeth Forward, 38-35

Mt. Pleasant (5-2, 2-1) at Derry (4-4, 1-2): Ground-and-pound football in the dirt, just the way the Birdie likes it. Derry, 22-19

Yough (2-6, 0-3) at Greensburg Salem (2-6, 0-3): The Interstate basement is a cold, dank place. Who wants to avoid it more? Greensburg Salem, 20-12

Ligonier Valley (1-7, 0-4) at Steel Valley (4-3, 2-1): Another long bus ride on a nonsensical schedule for Ligonier Valley. An even longer night. Steel Valley, 44-7

Bishop Canevin (5-3, 3-1) at Monessen (5-3, 2-2): This could be a track meet, but the Crusaders will have more kick at the end. Bishop Canevin, 29-19

Frazier (4-4, 2-3) at Greensburg Central Catholic (4-4, 2-3): Teams with similar numbers could make for an interesting matchup, right? Maybe. Greensburg CC, 36-28

Jeannette (5-3, 3-2) at Springdale (0-6, 0-4): Jeannette is getting ready for the playoffs. It doesn’t have enough players to rest starters. Jeannette, 36-0

Tags: Armstrong, Belle Vernon, Bishop Canevin, Canon-McMillan, Derry Area, Elizabeth Forward, Franklin Regional, Frazier, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. lebanon, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Ringgold, Southmoreland, Springdale, Steel Valley, Woodland Hills, Yough