The Birdie puts his faith in A-K Valley teams

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | 8:09 PM

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When the Birdie came into the office Monday he was as mad as a fantasy football team owner who had just drafted Andrew Luck with his first-round pick five minutes before he made his retirement announcement.

He walked through the office, sat down at his desk and started typing furiously.

Five minutes later, he stood up quietly, mumbled “that will show them” and walked over to the printer before he handed new sports editor Bill Hartlep his Week 1 picks.

In a moment of confusion, Hartlep scratched his head, looked at his longtime winged friend and said, “Birdie, I can’t print this.”

See for the first time in several years, the Birdie had decided to put his faith in the Leechburg Blue Devils for Week Zero and well, they came up just short. They lost to Apollo-Ridge, 28-14, in a game that saw running back Logan Harmon run for 196 yards and score four touchdowns.

“Can you see why I’m angry, Bill?” the birdie quipped. “I understand they lost a tough one and they tried their hardest. But I put my faith in those Blue Devils and they burned me. Never again I tell ya, never again.”

Friday

Freeport (0-0) at Derry (0-1)

The Trojans are still big and have athletes, but Freeport finds a way to get this one done. Freeport, 21-14

Fox Chapel (0-1) at North Hills (1-0)

Coming off getting blanked in Week Zero, the Foxes are down in the dumps, and North Hills will take advantage. North Hills, 28-7

Kiski Area (1-0) at Shaler (0-1)

The Cavaliers have found their quarterback and are ready to start their charge. Kiski Area, 28-14

Blackhawk (0-1) at Knoch (1-0)

The Cougars got the better of Knoch last year. But the Knights are riding high behind first-year coach Brandon Mowry in a close one. Knoch, 14-10

Burrell (1-0) at North Catholic (0-0)

The Bucs are hot off a Week Zero win and are locked and loaded. Alex Arledge and company take advantage of a rusty North Catholic team. Burrell, 35-28

Elizabeth Forward (0-0) at Deer Lakes (0-1)

The Lancers will be motivated after a last-minute defeat, but Elizabeth Forward will be itching to get a win. Elizabeth Forward, 28-21

Summit Academy (0-1) at Apollo-Ridge (1-0)

Logan Harmon puts Apollo-Ridge on his back as the Vikings run their way to another victory. Apollo-Ridge, 35-0

Valley (0-1) at Avonworth (1-0)

Avonworth’s Park Penrod and Jax Miller will be a little too much for a young Valley squad. Avonworth, 28-7

Imani Christian (0-1) at Springdale (1-0)

The Dynamos are riding high after a win over Deer Lakes. Imani Christian is riding low following a 64-point loss. Springdale gets a win in the Eastern Conference. Springdale, 21-14

Leechburg (0-1) at Jeannette (1-0)

After a disappointing Week Zero loss, the Blue Devils will have their hands full against a strong Jeannette team. Jeannette, 28-21

Keystone Oaks (1-0) at Highlands (0-1)

Highlands fixes mistakes from their Week Zero loss, and Brock White has another big game. Highlands, 28-24

Saturday

Greensburg C.C. (1-0) at Riverview (0-0)

GCC will spoil a nice fall afternoon in Oakmont for the host Raiders. GCC, 28-8

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Avonworth, Blackhawk, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Elizabeth Forward, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Imani Christian, Keystone Oaks, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, North Catholic, North Hills, Riverview, Shaler, Springdale, Summit Academy, Valley