The Birdie yearns for more matchups between Westmoreland County football teams

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 | 7:00 PM

Last week: 11-2 (84.6%)

Season: 34-13 (72%)

The Birdie has been on his soapbox again, pacing around the office pouty and sourpussed like Antonio Brown.

As he prepared to pick a full state of games this week, he was peeved by the lack of local matchups.

Some believe it’s because he had to do more work, but he is adamant the WPIAL needs to change.

“Of the 15 games this week, only one has a matchup between two county teams,” he said, pushing up his shades and pointing to a map of Westmoreland with his orange, Cheeto dust-covered finger. “All-county matchups bring more crowds, more hype and interest and produce better games.”

Westmoreland’s prep football guru, who went 11-2 last week, also pointed to recent games as proof.

“Hempfield beats Greensburg Salem by three, then Norwin by eight, but lost to Pine-Richland by 49,” Birdie said. “And Norwin allowed 56 when it played North Allegheny but beat Penn-Trafford, 44-36. Latrobe gave gave up 50 to Penn Hills but only lost by a last-minute field goal to Franklin Regional. Yough lost to Serra, 44-25, but Mt. Pleasant sneaked past the Cougars, 22-16.

“Get the point?”

The Birdie despises the “geographical madness” and “dart-throwing procedure” he says the WPIAL uses for its alignment and again is pleading for the league to go back to four classes.

“I had lunch with a friend the other day at Forks Inn in Ligonier, and he agreed,” Birdie said. “He agreed how tasty the Beitel Burger is. Oh, my, that bacon! And he also agreed we need more local rivalry games. Who wants to drive over an hour, in traffic, to watch a blowout? Leaving for a football game on a Friday at 3 p.m.? Come on.

He was rehearsing his plan to get into the WPIAL when he was shut down like a Derry goal-line stand.

Like the Steelers, the WPIAL wants its privacy and prevented him from drone-spying in Green Tree. Foiled again.

Hempfield (1-3, 0-3) at Canon-McMillan (0-3, 0-3)

A nice pass-run balance will get the job done against the Big Macs. “Mmm, Big Macs,” Birdie said. “Super-size me.” Hempfield, 24-14

Pine-Richland (3-1, 2-0) at Norwin (2-2, 1-1)

Norwin has had the luxury of playing the top two teams in WPIAL Class 6A at home. “Won’t matter,” Birdie said. “Teams don’t belong in same conference. Read above.” Pine-Richland, 30-13

Albert Gallatin (0-4, 0-1) at Penn-Trafford (2-2, 2-1)

The back-on-track Warriors will put up another bell-ringer at Warrior Stadium. Penn-Trafford, 42-7

Connellsville (2-2, 1-2) at Latrobe (0-4, 0-2)

Latrobe almost beat Franklin Regional at home two weeks ago, and the Wildcats will finish the deal this week. Latrobe, 23-15

Laurel Highlands (2-2, 1-1) at Greensburg Salem (1-3, 1-0)

Another alum goes against his former school, but the Golden Lions will spoil homecoming night for the opposing coach. Greensburg Salem, 27-20

Belle Vernon (2-1, 1-1) at Indiana (1-3, 1-2)

The difference, the Birdie believes, will be the Leopards’ running game and line play. Belle Vernon, 24-13

Burrell (1-3, 1-2) at Yough (2-2, 2-1)

The Birdie thinks Yough has one of the best running backs in the WPIAL. But he gives credit to the fullbacks, whom he calls “Shoaf-ers.” Yough, 35-20

Deer Lakes (1-2, 1-2) at Mt. Pleasant (1-3, 1-1)

Mt. Pleasant has too proud a tradition to lose another one at home. Mt. Pleasant, 21-19

North Catholic (4-0, 2-0) at Derry (4-0, 2-0)

A sound rushing attack and mistake-free play up front have carried Derry this far. The Birdie doesn’t think that trend will change this week. But it will be tight. Derry, 20-16

Ligonier Valley (4-0) at West Shamokin (3-1)

Still peeved it had to sit last week after a forfeit by Saltsburg, the Rams will run … and run. Ligonier Valley, 38-8

Brownsville (0-4, 0-2) at Southmoreland (2-2, 1-2)

Southmoreland will make it three wins in a season, which doesn’t happen very often. “Like Steelers-Browns ties,” Birdie said. “Or me wearing a tie.” Southmoreland, 26-11

Imani Christian (2-1, 1-1) at Greensburg Central Catholic (3-1, 2-1)

GCC has to hold onto the football and avoid mistakes to stay with the Saints.

“Imani has too much speed,” Birdie said. Imani Christian, 31-14

Springdale (0-3, 0-1) at Jeannette (4-0, 2-0)

The Birdie thought this might be a close game two years ago when the teams met in the playoffs. “Ehhh, wrong answer,” he said. Jeannette, 49-7

Monessen (3-0, 2-0) at West Greene (2-1, 1-0)

Two of the early frontrunners in the Tri-County South will have trouble scoring points, Birdie said. Monessen, 18-9

Shaler (2-2) at Franklin Regional (3-0)

Franklin Regional will have to remember what conference play was like after back-to-back nonconference opponents. Franklin Regional, 20-12