The Birdie speaks frankly, makes Week 2 picks in A-K Valley

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 8:37 PM

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Last week: 10-2

Season: 20-2 (90.9%)

In recognition of all the hard work (ahem) he does all year, The Birdie decided to take Labor Day off from analyzing football games.

(Aside from watching the Fightin’ Belichicks get tarred and feathered by TCU, of course. “That wasn’t work. It was a pleasure,” Birdie laughed.)

Instead, he set up his electric hot dog roller and camped out in the backyard for a day of relaxation.

“I sometimes see sports talk radio yakkers rank their favorite beers. Lawn-mowing beer. Shower beer. That kind of thing,” Birdie pontificated. “But that’s for amateurs. The pros rank the best hot dogs.”

5. Warehouse club snack bar dog. “I don’t want to give free advertising to a company that doesn’t sponsor The Birdie’s column. Let’s say it rhymes with ‘lost flow.’ Anyway, a dog and a drink for $1.50 is the pinnacle of American capitalism.”

4. Ballgame dog. “I heard some people talking about going to the Pirates game Thursday to see Skenes pitch to Ohtani. I wanted to go because it was dollar dog day.”

3. Free dog. “I visit Sheetz more often than a Blair County trucker. Got so many Sheetz card points that all my dogs are free. Tastes better when they’re free.”

2. Hors d’oeuvres dogs. “When I’m at a fancy wedding and they’re peddling some crud smeared on crostini, I make a beeline for the waiter with little hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry and we become best friends.”

1. Golf course dog. “Nothing soothes the The Birdie’s three-putt rage better than a hot, juicy dog at a well-appointed halfway house. My life’s quest is reproducing a golf course hot dog at home.”

With that, The Birdie pulled out a mustard-stained sheet of notebook paper and revealed his Week 2 picks.

Plum (1-1) at Gateway (0-2): There were times, when the Gators were up and the Mustangs were down, that this was a rivalry in name only. Not anymore. Plum’s got a real shot in this one. Gateway, 21-20

Apollo-Ridge (1-1) at Greensburg Central Catholic (1-1): Styles make fights for the Vikings, and the Centurions’ style might give them fits. Greensburg Central Catholic, 26-21

Avella (2-0) at Springdale (0-1): Gotta walk before you run, and the Dynamos got on the board in their opener. Next step is getting in a game that’s up for grabs in the second half. Avella, 13-6

Derry (1-1) at Deer Lakes (1-1): Reigning WPIAL champ South Park came in and got its revenge on the Lancers last week. It happens. Time to get back on the horse. Deer Lakes, 34-13

Fox Chapel (1-1) at Knoch (0-2): Why not a winning streak for the Foxes? It has happened before. Fox Chapel, 16-13

Freeport (2-0) at Quaker Valley (2-0): Unexpectedly, the Quakers have made this a battle of unbeatens. The Yellowjackets will take them seriously. Freeport, 33-13

Greensburg Salem (1-1) at Valley (0-2): The Vikings are another team in need of a game that’s up for grabs in the fourth quarter. Greensburg Salem, 20-16

Kiski Area (1-1) at Hempfield (2-0): A tough final test before the conference schedule starts for the Cavaliers. The Spartans are off to a strong start. Hempfield, 27-21

Mt. Pleasant (1-1) at Burrell (0-2): Two teams that already have played good halves and bad halves. Whoever discovers consistency first will prevail. Mt. Pleasant, 27-26

New Castle (1-1) at Highlands (1-1): Highlands has played two good teams and split. That makes sense to The Birdie. New Castle shut out Penn Hills and got rolled by Hopewell. That doesn’t. In other words, good luck picking this one. Highlands, 20-19

Riverview (2-0) at Cornell (1-1): After two home wins, the degree of difficulty ramps up for the Raiders. They’ll be ready for it. Riverview, 34-27

Serra Catholic (0-2) at Leechburg (1-1): The Birdie watched Tim Andrasy’s seven-touchdown game last week. If he’s even, he’s leaving. Leechburg, 34-14

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Avella, Burrell, Cornell, Deer Lakes, Derry Area, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Mt. Pleasant, New Castle, Plum, Quaker Valley, Riverview, Serra Catholic, Springdale, Valley