Take The Birdie’s picks to the bank in the A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | 6:45 PM

The Birdie usually doesn't play the lottery — “I like sure things, like my predictions,” he explains — but even he made an exception for the $700 million Powerball jackpot last week.

He drove to the Marathon station in his trusty Chevette last week and played the numbers 6, 7, 16, 23 and 26.

“They're my lucky numbers,” the Birdie said. “When I was younger, I was standing on the edge of my toilet hanging a clock when I slipped and hit my head on the sink. Those numbers came to me when I woke up. That and something called a flux capacitor, but I haven't done anything with that yet.”

Those numbers have served the Birdie well, helping him become the top pigskin prognosticator in the Alle-Kiski Valley. But he also can tend to be a bit forgetful, which explains how he managed to misplace his Powerball ticket, which didn't win the jackpot but still would have garnered him $1 million.

“I know it's around the house somewhere,” Birdie said. “I just can't remember where.”

Given his simple tastes — he still drives his old Chevette, and his choice of fashion is a cheap pair of sunglasses — the Birdie doesn't know what he'll purchase if he does locate the missing ticket.

“I'll probably just give it to Mrs. Birdie,” he sighed. “She can buy something nice.”

It wasn't all bad for the Birdie last week: He predicted five of six Week Zero games correctly, just as he predicted five of the six Powerball numbers. And although he lamented the one loss that kept him from a perfect score, he knows he has room for improvement after Week Zero.

“I felt like a million dollars,” Birdie said. “Now, if Kiski Area had won, then I would have felt like 700 million dollars.”

The Birdie believes you can take this week's picks to the bank.

Deer Lakes (0-0, 0-0) at Apollo-Ridge (1-0, 0-0)

The Fitzroy brothers made their Week Zero game against Leechburg look like a game of backyard pitch-and-catch. They should continue their connection this week.

Apollo-Ridge, 28-14

Burrell (1-0) at Hopewell (0-1)

The Bucs' balance paid off on offense last week, and they'll get another conference tune-up against a Hopewell team that returned a low number of starters.

Burrell, 21-13

Highlands (0-0, 0-0) at Ambridge (0-1, 0-0)

This might not be quite the blowout of last season, but the Golden Rams still should take care of business against the rebuilding Bridgers.

Highlands, 28-7

Jefferson-Morgan (1-0) at Springdale (0-1)

A two-score swing at the end of the first half and beginning of the second hurt Springdale against Burrell, but the Dynamos will find better luck against the Rockets.

Springdale, 21-6

Kiski Area (0-1, 0-0) at Plum (0-1, 0-0)

Neither team got much going offensively in Week Zero. The Cavaliers' defense will make the difference in this conference rivalry.

Kiski Area, 21-14

Riverview (0-0, 0-0) at Leechburg (0-1, 0-0)

The Raiders are hoping to make another playoff run this season. Their size up front should lead the way in their conference opener.

Riverview, 14-13

Valley (0-0, 0-0) at Keystone Oaks (0-0, 0-0)

The Vikings are determined to make the playoffs after missing out on a tiebreaker last season. A victory over the defending conference champion, which is replacing most of its key offensive pieces, would make a strong early statement.

Valley, 27-21

West Allegheny (0-0, 0-0) at Fox Chapel (0-1, 0-0)

The Foxes nearly pulled off the upset of Mt. Lebanon last week before falling short. West Allegheny lost star Kenny White to Pine-Richland, but the Indians' tradition runs deep.

West Allegheny, 31-21

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