The Birdie gets his mojo back while picking A-K Valley games

By: The Birdie
Wednesday, September 4, 2019 | 6:45 PM

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When the Birdie walked into the office on Monday, he had the biggest smile on his face.

First of all, yes, the Birdie works on Labor Day because as he has acclaimed, he’s the hardest working feathered fowl in the office. Second of all, his smile wasn’t booming because of the hot dog in his hand or the smudge of ketchup on the corner of his beak.

It was because after two weeks of football, every team in the A-K Valley has played a game, and he finally felt confident enough to trust his instincts for the 2019 season.

“I’m not missing a pick the rest of the season,” the Birdie quipped as he puffed out his chest and took another bite of his hot dog. “I picked Knoch taking down Blackhawk, and I predicted Springdale over Imani Christian. I’m on fire.”

He forgot to mention the four games he got wrong in Week 1, but surely enough, the Birdie was feeling confident as he sat down to make his Week 2 picks. Here they are.

Plum (1-1) at Gateway (1-1)

Gateway will be looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season. Gateway, 35-7.

Fox Chapel (0-2) at Penn Hills (1-1)

The defending Class 5A state champions may have lost a lot of talent, but not enough for the Foxes to get their first win. Penn Hills, 35-14.

North Hills (2-0) at Kiski Area (1-1)

North Hills escaped with a victory in Week 1; Kiski Area suffered its first loss. Look for the Cavs to bounce back in Week 2. Kiski Area, 28-21.

Beaver (1-1) at Knoch (2-0)

The Knights are quickly climbing the rankings in 2019. They get their third win of the season. Knoch, 28-7.

Highlands (0-2) at Blackhawk (0-2)

Could this be the week Highlands gets its first win? I don’t think so. Blackhawk, 21-14.

Deer Lakes (0-2) at Uniontown (0-2)

The Lancers get one on the road for their first win of the season. Deer Lakes, 14-7

Elizabeth Forward (1-0) at Burrell (1-1)

The Bucs looked rusty in Week 1 against a tough team. They’ll bounce back in Week 2. Burrell, 28-7

North Catholic (1-0) at Freeport (0-1)

North Catholic is one of the top teams in the state for a reason. They take this one easily. North Catholic, 35-21

Valley (0-2) at Shady Side Academy (1-0)

The Vikings are improving but Shady Side pulls out a win. Shady Side Academy, 21-7

Carlynton (2-0) at Apollo-Ridge (2-0)

This might be Apollo-Ridge’s toughest test so far, but the Vikings have what it takes in a close one. Apollo-Ridge, 21-14.

Monessen (0-2) at Springdale (2-0)

The Dynamos continue their hot streak and steal one from Monessen. Springdale, 28-14

Riverview (0-1) at Charleroi (0-1)

Two teams coming off Week 1 losses. Riverview will have to wait another week for its first win. Charleroi, 10-7.

Rochester (0-2) at Leechburg (0-2)

The Blue Devils get their first win of the season over the 2018 WPIAL Class A runners-up. Leechburg, 14-0

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Beaver, Blackhawk, Carlynton, Charleroi, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Gateway, Highlands, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Monessen, North Catholic, North Hills, Penn Hills, Plum, Riverview, Rochester, Shady Side Academy, Springdale, Uniontown, Valley