The Birdie tries to stay dry while picking A-K Valley games

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 | 6:18 PM

Last week: 12-1

Season: 29-3 (.906)

The Birdie is finding the weather this month unbearable.

“First, it’s 90-degree temperatures, now it’s rain,” the Alle-Kiski Valley’s “favorite” pigskin prognosticator said Monday as the precipitation fell for a third straight day. “This weather’s only good for ducks, and I’m not Daffy or Donald or Howard.”

As the rain continued to fall, The Birdie saw talk of an ark — “but there’s only one of me,” he said, despite rumors of a second Birdie making picks in Westmoreland County.

The rain blessedly ended later Monday. But The Birdie’s reign in local predictions continues: He went 12-1 last week, Highlands’ loss to Blackhawk keeping him from a second consecutive perfect week.

Many of the Week 2 games ended with running clocks against A-K Valley teams, and the blowout trend continued into the weekend with Penn State’s trouncing of Pitt — “Panthers could’ve used a mercy rule,” The Birdie said. The ugliest game of all was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tie against the Cleveland Browns.

The Birdie feels comfortable that no one will tie or beat him at his game. “But who will join me in being victorious this week?”

Friday

Bishop Canevin (1-2) at Springdale (0-2)

The Dynamos are on a crusade to find offense. The Crusaders provide a good opportunity to locate some. Springdale, 21-20

East Allegheny (1-2, 0-1) at Apollo-Ridge (2-1, 1-0)

Feels like the Vikings are still looking for solid footing, but they’ve found a way to win despite their inconsistencies. Apollo-Ridge, 20-7

Elizabeth Forward (2-0, 2-0) at Freeport (0-2, 0-2)

“The Yellowjackets are seeing more Big East title contenders than Madison Square Garden,” The Birdie said. Elizabeth Forward, 31-21

Fox Chapel (0-3, 0-2) at Kiski Area (2-1, 1-1)

The Cavaliers showed grit in a tough loss to North Hills and will keep the Foxes out of the win column. Kiski Area, 28-14

Highlands (0-3, 0-1) at Knoch (0-3, 0-2)

“Someone’s gotta win this one, unless they play by NFL rules,” The Birdie said. He leans toward Highlands’ air show over Knoch’s ground control. Highlands, 21-14

Leechburg (1-2, 0-1) at Greensburg Central Catholic (2-1, 1-1)

The Blue Devils’ offense vanished over the past two weeks, and their defense got pounded on the ground last week. That’s a bad one-two punch. GCC, 31-14

Plum (1-2, 0-2) at Connellsville (1-2, 0-2)

After back-to-back blowout losses, both teams are pining for the good ol’ days of Week Zero. Plum will find a way to zero in on another win. Plum, 35-28

Uniontown (0-3, 0-2) at Burrell (0-3, 0-2)

Uniontown provided Deer Lakes’ Tim Burk with his first win last week. Now it’s Burrell coach Shawn Liotta’s turn. Burrell, 35-21

Yough (1-2, 1-1) at Deer Lakes (1-1, 1-1)

Expect plenty of points with Yough’s star RB Dustin Shoaf and Deer Lakes’ array of playmakers. The Lancers’ variety pack will provide the difference. Deer Lakes, 31-28

Saturday

Clairton (2-0, 1-0) at Riverview (0-2, 0-1)

Only Khalil Mack might be able to help these Raiders against the Bears. Clairton, 42-7

Valley (1-2) at Imani Christian (2-1)

Probably not the best time for Valley to play Imani Christian, given the Saints are smarting after a loss to Jeannette. Imani Christian, 39-20

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Knoch, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley