The Birdie writes a sweet column to kick off football season in the A-K Valley

By: The Birdie
Sunday, August 20, 2023 | 9:01 AM

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The Birdie

Last season: 99-18 (84.6%)

As the 2023 high school football season is about to begin, The Birdie can’t play favorites.

It’s important for journalists to be objective, which is something an ink-stained wretch as venerable as The Birdie surely knows.

Or does he?

“Yeah, I’ve got a favorite team. What’s it to you?” the old bird groused, brushing a gob of powdered sugar off his beak.

“It’s Riverview.”

Anyone with a map and some familiarity with how The Birdie thinks could have seen that one coming a mile away.

“When I go check out a game or practice at Riverside Park, I always take a quick stroll across the street. And that’s where the magic happens.”

With crumbs filling the spaces in between the keys of his trusty typewriter, there was no question what was on The Birdie’s mind as he pecked out his preseason column this year.

Apollo-Ridge

Another one of The Birdie’s favorite teams, but this is for a better reason. When faced with adversity last season — an injury to quarterback Karter Schrock – the Vikings responded by running and running s’more. That’s how the old bird likes it. Schrock is back and a playoff berth remains an attainable goal.

Wins: 5

Burrell

Another team after The Birdie’s heart. The Bucs threw so rarely, they made Apollo-Ridge look like Air Coryell. Devin Beattie had a huge year, and a six-TD game against Imani Christian was the icing on the Oakmonter. He’s back and ready to cinnamon roll again.

Wins: 4

Deer Lakes

With Derek Burk peanut butter blossoming into one of the top quarterbacks in the area, the Lancers could make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.

Wins: 5

Fox Chapel

New coach Dave Leasure brings the Wing-T to Fox Chapel, which The Birdie always approves of, but there are no cupcakes on a Class 5A schedule, so the sledding could be tough.

Wins: 1

Freeport

The Yellowjackets lost gobs of all-conference players to graduation, but you didn’t think they were just going to lemon drop off the map, did you? They’ll play smashmouth football and be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Wins: 6

Highlands

Which A-K Valley team has the best chance to walk the red velvet carpet at Acrisure Stadium in November? It’s the Golden Rams. Luke Bombalski is practically a ladylock for all-conference honors, and Aaran Randolph is ready to take over under center.

Wins: 8

Kiski Area

The Birdie hears lefty Carson Heinle has been slinging it on the 7-on-7 field this summer with Isaiah Gonzalez as his favorite target. The only thing working against the Cavaliers is a 5A schedule with no cream puffs in sight.

Wins: 4

Knoch

The Knights suffered a double-­overtime loss to Indiana in the second game of the season and things kind of snowballed on them from there. But quarterback Codi Mullen is a butter star in the making. The Knights will be in a lot of games.

Wins: 3

Leechburg

Big-time playmaker Braylan Lovelace really left his thumbprint on the Blue Devils program, but even though he’s in Oakland, the cupboard is hardly bare. Leechburg should still have the area’s most entertaining offense.

Wins: 8

Plum

The Mustangs are in the enviable position of replacing the school’s all-time leading rusher (Eryck Moore) with a player who already has a 200-yard rushing game to his credit (Nicholas Odom). They just might be able to bearclaw their way into the playoffs.

Wins: 6

Riverview

With a deep roster paczki’d with experienced players, the Raiders could easily be in store for their best season in years. (OK, that one might be a stretch.)

Wins: 7

Springdale

Rebuilding is a part of life in high school football. That’s just the way the iced sugar cookie crumbles. The Dynamos should be on the way back this season.

Wins: 2

Valley

The move of Tristin Goodwin to running back and the arrival of new coach Mark Adams should pumpkin spice things up for the Vikings on offense.

Wins: 2

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