The Birdie sees the ‘Hawks in Hershey
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | 6:30 PM
Contrary to popular belief, the Birdie is objective because he is a working member of the media.
“Working?” a part-timer yells from across the newsroom. “On what? Consecutive appearances in the snack room? A leaning tower of pop cans on your desk?”
But sometimes a team catches his eye, and he takes on a greater interest.
Not a rooting interest, but a storytelling interest.
“This Jeannette team fits that billing,” said the county's high school football expert, who limps into the state semifinals after zero wins last week. “The Jayhawks are the last local team still going, which is nice to see, but this team is intriguing. They have a cast of characters. They're a fun bunch that doesn't take itself too seriously. Kind of like me, tee hee hee.”
The Birdie was undersized when he played high school football so he appreciates Jeannette's linemen.
“They called me Lil' Peep,” Birdie said. “But I showed them my talents as a fourth-string long snapper. Jeannette's linemen aren't beefy, but they're hungry. That Poogie fellow brings those Tecmo Bowl moves, and that d-end, No. 80, he's a vulture on a highway lined with road kill.”
The Birdie remembers Jeannette's state title run in 2007, and while that team was one of the best of all-time at 16-0, he thinks this year's group is more interesting.
“You knew what you were getting with the '07 Hawks,” he said. “Machine-like domination. But anticlimactic, almost. It was just a matter of how much they'd win by.
“I will say this: I remember when Pryor caught a touchdown in the state final that year. It's about time Poogie gets a touchdown grab in the semis. This team of storylines deserves a proper ending.”
Jeannette (13-1) vs. Farrell (11-2)
While Farrell is extremely athletic and will dwarf Jeannette up front, the Birdie thinks the Jayhawks will outslug the Steelers with some big plays down the stretch.
“Mmm, chocolate,” Birdie said. “Hershey, here we — I mean, I — come.”
Jeannette, 28-26
Tags: Jeannette
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