The Birdie urges Westmoreland County contenders to not slack off

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 8:14 PM

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Last week: 10-1 (90.9%)

Season: 18-4 (81.8%)

There was a time when teams could slack off.

“Not quite like the Pittsburgh Pirates do,” Birdie said. “I don’t mean letting position players lob grapefruits to professional hitters or moving liable fielders to better positions after it’s too late.”

No, Westmoreland County’s guiding light of the gridiron is referring to WPIAL football.

His message this week is, meaningless games are no longer meaningless.

“No game is a throwaway,” he said, stepping on a spotted lanternfly, only to have it hit speed burst and take off like Samir Crosby on a jet sweep. “Now that the WPIAL committee is picking wild cards without Gardner Points or other tiebreakers, a loss or poor showing against anybody could cost you.”

Nonconference games are more important because the committee is watching.

Scheduling cupcakes is practically meaningless — “Mmm, cupcakes,” he said — and trying those back-pocket plays or being too vanilla could come back to bite you.

“Mmm, vanilla cupcakes,” Birdie said. “What we’re saying is, scheduling a dented can for senior night could be counterproductive for you contenders.”

Speaking of counterproductive, the Birdie had to donate his custom-made Brandon Aiyuk Pittsburgh Steelers jersey to Goodwill.

He had planned to wear it to the movies for date night this weekend when he takes Mrs. Birdie to see “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

“Never trust sources who only want attention,” he said. “I want real information — the scoops. They can chase clicks while I show them tricks. Say my name three times and see what happens.

“It’s showtime.”

Week 2 predictions:

Burrell (0-2) at Mt. Pleasant (1-1): Mt. Pleasant has a lot of potential with its running game, but it has to narrow its number of ball carriers. Quality over quantity. Mt. Pleasant, 20-12

Central Valley (0-2) at Belle Vernon (0-0): After a no-decision against Aliquippa, Belle Vernon will hit some big plays in its opener at the Beach. Belle Vernon, 29-20

Deer Lakes (2-0) at Derry (1-1): A dynamic offense will be too much for Derry as the Trojans drop their second straight home game. Deer Lakes, 28-14

Greensburg Central Catholic (1-1) at Apollo-Ridge (0-2): GCC makes the trek up Route 66 to Owens Field and has a happy ride home. Greensburg Central Catholic, 36-24

Franklin Regional (2-0) at Upper St. Clair (2-0): A true test for Franklin Regional in a matchup of Panthers. The home team gets the nod for its line play. Upper St. Clair, 24-14

Hempfield (0-2) at Kiski Area (1-1): Kiski Area is beginning to find balance offensively, and that won’t bode well for Hempfield. Kiski Area, 20-7

Jeannette (2-0) at Ligonier Valley (1-1): Jeannette will pass Idlewild Park on the way to Weller Field before the Jayhawks take the Rams for a ride. Jeannette, 32-16

Latrobe (2-0) at Norwin (2-0): Latrobe prides itself on fast, physical defense, which is what Norwin is trying to instill. This will be a helmet-cracker at the Castle. The Wildcats will scratch one out. Latrobe, 20-16

Monessen (2-0) at Beth-Center (0-1): Monessen has more games under its belt and more playmakers. Monessen, 38-20

Moon (1-0) at Penn-Trafford (1-1): Another game that screams defense, the hits will be loud, and quarterbacks will be scrambling. Moon, 24-17

Southmoreland (2-0) at Laurel Highlands (1-0): Southmoreland can score a lot of points, but its defense needs to limit teams better to avoid offensive shootouts. Southmoreland, 35-28

Valley (0-2) at Greensburg Salem (2-0): If Greensburg Salem can seal the edges and keep Valley in the middle of the field, it can grab another win at home. Greensburg Salem, 19-13

Ringgold (0-2) at Yough (2-0): Yough is beginning to turn some heads as experience and patience in the system begins to show. Yough, 22-15

Tags: Belle Vernon, Beth-Center, Central Valley, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Laurel Highlands, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Moon, Mt. Pleasant, Penn-Trafford, Ringgold, Southmoreland, Upper St. Clair, Yough