The Birdie sizes up Westmoreland County stadiums, makes Week 2 picks

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 8:35 PM

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Last week: 9-3

Season: 15-8 (65%)

People love rankings. Especially football rankings.

The Birdie hasn’t done a rankings column in a while, so this week, he would like to offer his top 10 local stadiums.

Pull up a seat.

“You know, the places that have it all,” said the county’s high school football commissioner, taking a sip of pickle juice for his early season cramps. “I am talking atmosphere, seating, parking, press box amenities and hospitality and general atmosphere. The places to be on Friday nights.”

The chatter about Norwin’s major renovations next year, as well as fresh turf at Belle Vernon, Latrobe and Southmoreland and new security precautions at Penn-Trafford, got the once-promising fourth-string junior varsity long snapper thinking about his favorite stops on the Westmoreland County football trail.

He came up with the idea while he was taking in the mind-boggling quirkiness of the Savannah Bananas last weekend at PNC Park.

“Someone said I should try out because of my nimbleness and eccentricity,” Birdie said. “But I think I will leave my baseball prime in T-ball.”

Without further ado:

10. Derry: Great press box cuisine, decent parking, good people who say hello. Place was magical in 2016.

9. Mt. Pleasant: Solid atmosphere, quality parking, quality food spread. Locker rooms are too close together.

8. Southmoreland: A fun, welcoming place. Stands get loud when the team is good. Always something to snack on in the booth at “The Grimm.”

7. Greensburg Salem: Parking is at a premium unless you have a pass. Always good food and friendly people. A rickety elevator gives venerable Offut Field character. The all-time wins flipboard is a unique touch.

6. Latrobe: Memorial Stadium gets the Steelers-are-royalty treatment one night a year. For a handful of others in the fall, the Wildcats get an ideal venue with good parking and consistent halftime pizza.

5. Belle Vernon: “The Beach” never leaves sand in your shoes. Seating is great, parking is decent, and the renovated press box is innovative at James Weir Stadium.

4. Penn-Trafford: Good parking can be tough without a pass, but the press box atmosphere is first class, and there is always a snack at halftime. The metal detectors at Warrior Stadium will take some getting used to.

3. Franklin Regional: A professional atmosphere where there is always a place to park, good food, ample press box space and a crowd that loves its band. Panther Stadium is close to perfect.

2. Hempfield: Massive press box means there is always a place to post up at Spartan Stadium. Food is always hot and tasty, and parking is not a problem. Media should be allowed to stay longer after games.

1. Norwin: While the home side of Knights Stadium will be demolished next year to the tune of a $25 million renovation, the aging “Castle” was good enough to host WPIAL championship games. There always is room to work and watch the game. Good parking. And what other press boxes have a full kitchen and bathroom for the scribes? The new box is supposed to be state of the art. Bring it on.

Now to this week’s slate of games:

Apollo-Ridge (1-1) at Greensburg Central Catholic (1-1): Apollo-Ridge is sneaky defensively, and it is quick to the ball. GCC will have to do its damage on the perimeter. A pick-6 is in the cards. GCC, 30-18

Belle Vernon (0-1) at Central Valley (0-2): The host Warriors will slow the Leopards’ rushing attack and make them one-dimensional. Penalties will hurt BVA. Central Valley, 21-14

Derry (1-1) at Deer Lakes (1-1): While Derry has looked strong at times with its running game, Deer Lakes will be a touch better moving the football. A turnover will be pivotal. Deer Lakes, 24-14

Greensburg Salem (1-1) at Valley (0-1): A still-learning offensive line will have its best game yet for Greensburg Salem. A long run will set the tone. Greensburg Salem, 28-7

Kiski Area (1-1) at Hempfield (2-0): Kiski Area has a strong defense, but defensive backs will be backpedaling against the pass-happy Spartans. Hempfield will score first. Hempfield, 28-13

Laurel Highlands (2-0) at Southmoreland (2-0): The Scotties play fast, but they also will have to play smart to beat the Mustangs. Look for a key sack, maybe a forced fumble, to turn the tide. Southmoreland, 31-21

Ligonier Valley (0-2) at Jeannette (1-1): These teams had a dustup last year, so there will be added intensity. But the Jayhawks will keep calm and let their play do the talking. Jeannette, 32-12

Mt. Pleasant (1-1) at Burrell (0-2): A couple of teams that like to run the football. That means the lines will decide the victor. The question is, does Mt. Pleasant have anyone to run the ball? Mt. Pleasant, 17-10

Norwin (1-1) at Latrobe (1-1): These are teams that have been plagued by injuries this year and last. But Norwin is healthier and should show balance offensively. Watch the Knights’ linebackers against the Wildcats’ running backs. Norwin, 35-28

Penn-Trafford (2-0) at Moon (2-0): Penn-Trafford has a meat grinder of a schedule early on, in and out of conference. The Warriors will need to limit mistakes and get the running game going early. Moon, 14-13

Upper St. Clair (2-0) at Franklin Regional (0-2): Upper St. Clair has a solid offense and plays disciplined football. The visitors will wear down hosts in a battle of Panthers. Upper St. Clair, 38-14

Yough (2-0) at Ringgold (1-1): Yough? 3-0? If the Cougars can finish drives and hold on to the football, they can achieve that record. Bottling up an athletic quarterback will be key. An interception will come into play. Yough, 17-14

Tags: Belle Vernon, Bishop Canevin, Burrell, Central Valley, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Laurel Highlands, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Moon, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Ringgold, Southmoreland, Upper St. Clair, Yough