The Birdie won’t back down from predictions in A-K Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 4, 2017 | 5:15 PM

The Birdie grew up in a rock and roll household and long admired the work of the classic artists from the 1960s onward: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bob Seger, and so on.

The one artist whom the Birdie always admired most, however, was Tom Petty. Perhaps it was because the blonde hair always reminded the Birdie of his own golden feathers. Or maybe because Petty's voice sometimes simulated a squawk.

Certainly the Birdie has been accused of being petty before. He gets frustrated when his picks don't come through. But he always liked Petty and thus became distraught when word came of Petty's death earlier this week.

“I couldn't believe it,” Birdie said. “We've lost too many musical geniuses in recent years. Bowie. Prince. Whitney. And now Tom?”

For many years the Birdie has listened to Petty music as he made his weekly predictions. And he won't back down from that now — especially because so many of them mirror the situations of Alle-Kiski Valley football teams.

“Right now, Freeport is runnin' down a dream,” Birdie said. “The ‘Jackets want to win the Allegheny, and they're in a good spot, right there with the Rebels. But they have a tough matchup coming up against Apollo-Ridge. Those youngsters are still learning to fly, but they're tough to beat.”

Valley, on the other hand, is dealing with a double dose of problems: a loss to Ellwood City, compounded with a benches-clearing brawl that led to a WPIAL hearing earlier this week.

“I hate to say it, but the Vikings are free fallin',” Birdie said sadly. “I thought they had a chance at the playoffs this year, but it looks like I'm going to get that wrong. You don't know how it feels to be wrong about that.”

The Birdie is having trouble wrapping his head around certain teams.

“I need to know what to think about Fox Chapel,” he said. “I think they got unlucky with their schedule, but I can't be sure until I see if they can repeat that victory over Moon. Highlands almost had a breakdown in the second half against Albert Gallatin. Don't do me like that.”

The Birdie is hoping some teams can get on the board this week; that way, he won't have to break out “Yer So Bad.” Given the struggles of Deer Lakes and Leechburg, though, he's having trouble resisting.

“All it takes is one win for me to have a change of heart,” he said. “And Deer Lakes, maybe just a touchdown. Or even a field goal. You can make it better.”

The waiting is the hardest part in between Friday nights, but until then here are the picks:

Apollo-Ridge (4-2, 2-2) at Freeport (4-1, 3-0)

QB Kyle Fitzroy had some rust last week for Apollo-Ridge in his return from injury, and the Vikings lost Logan Harmon with an injury in their loss to Seton LaSalle. That won't help in a matchup against Freeport, which has the stingiest defense in the Alle-Kiski Valley and enough depth to overwhelm most teams in the Allegheny.

Freeport, 31-20

Gateway (5-1, 3-1) at Plum (2-4, 2-3)

The good news: Plum's run defense might get more of a break after struggling in losses to McKeesport and Armstrong. The bad news: The Mustangs need to find a way to slow a prolific passer named Brady (Walker). Anything can happen in a rivalry game, but it's probably not a good time for Plum to face an angry Gateway team coming off a shutout loss to Penn-Trafford.

Gateway, 38-14

Hampton (2-4, 2-2) at Fox Chapel (2-4, 2-3)

As Jay-Z would say, Fox Chapel's offense ran through “G to the Izzo” last week, and QB Nick Gizzo didn't disappoint. The Foxes need to keep winning to stay in the playoff hunt, and their backfield tandem of Gizzo and Micah Morris will keep it going against Hampton.

Fox Chapel, 28-14

Jeannette (6-0, 4-0) at Springdale (3-3, 2-1)

Chuck Wagner would have been proud of Springdale's effort in its win over Riverview: toughness, grit and a lot of yards on the ground. But the Dynamos face a much more difficult task against the top-ranked Jayhawks and their heavy load of playmakers.

Jeannette, 46-21

Keystone Oaks (3-2, 2-1) at Burrell (1-5, 0-4)

Burrell will get a full blast of Dauer Power in the form of Keystone Oaks star RB Michael Dauer. To keep up, the Bucs need to get their own star runner going in Logan Bitar. Can Logan's Run get reignited after Freeport bottled him up?

Keystone Oaks, 28-7

Leechburg (0-6) at West Greene (4-2)

It came in a loss, but Leechburg QB Dylan Cook heated up the Blue Devils' offense. But the Blue Devils need to show they can play a consistent 48 minutes, and they haven't yet.

West Greene, 28-7

McKeesport (4-1, 4-1) at Kiski Area (1-5, 1-3)

The second half of Kiski Area's schedule is a bear — or, more appropriately this week, a Tiger. After facing the defending WPIAL champs last week, the Cavaliers get the runners-up. McKeesport's rushing offense is on a tear, rolling up double-digit yards per carry in recent weeks.

McKeesport, 42-14

Montour (4-1, 4-1) at Highlands (3-2, 2-2)

Highlands' offense got a boost last week with the return of its Turbo Jett at running back, as now the Golden Rams can gain yards by ground and by air. But letting Albert Gallatin hang around is worrisome, especially with one of the top teams in the Northwest Nine visiting.

Montour, 35-21

Riverview (1-4, 1-4) at Greensburg Central Catholic (2-4, 1-2)

The Raiders remembered their 1997 championship team last week, but this season hasn't exactly had much to celebrate. GCC is struggling as well, but the Centurions' second-half performance against Leechburg gives them the edge this week.

GCC, 21-6

Seton LaSalle (5-0, 4-0) at Deer Lakes (0-5, 0-4)

Deer Lakes' offense is getting far too accustomed to bagels, donuts or whatever pastry pseudonym you prefer for shutouts. The Lancers simply won't be able to score enough to keep up with the conference-leading Rebels and the “Train” Lionel Deanes.

Seton LaSalle, 35-7

Valley (1-4, 1-2) at Shady Side Academy (3-2, 3-2)

The sky might be falling at Valley after a benches-clearing brawl halted the Vikings' nonconference loss to Ellwood City. The Skyy is rolling at Shady Side Academy, as New Kensington native Skyy Moore continues to star at QB and now leads the playoff-hopeful Indians against his hometown team.

Shady Side Academy, 34-19

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