2 • SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 • TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
INDEX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMEPLAN 2021
The Birdie takes his shot at predicting records
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SPORTS EDITOR | Bill Hartlep ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | Jonathan Bombulie DESIGNERS | Brady Hunter, Jeff Vella, Melanie Wass
HIGH SCHOOL STAFF WRITERS | Bill Beckner Jr., Chris Harlan, Mike Kovak, Michael Love, Don Rebel, Paul Schofield
PHOTOGRAPHERS | Christopher Horner, Chaz Palla, Mike Darnay, Jeff Helsel
Belle Vernon 18
Derry 21
Franklin Regional 11
Greensburg Central Catholic 28
Greensburg Salem 19
Hempfield 6
Jeannette 29
Latrobe 12
Ligonier Valley 26
Monessen 30
Mt. Pleasant 22
Norwin 8
Penn-Trafford 14
Southmoreland 23
Yough 24
The Tribune-Review welcomes you to GAMEPLAN 2021, an in-depth look at the upcoming
high school football season in Western Pa. It is designed to serve as a reference for the Trib’s
high school football fans throughout the season. Starting Thursday, the Trib will begin its expanded
game previews in THURSDAY GAMEPLAN, a look at the week’s top games, players to watch
and statistical leaders. We will take you from Week 1 through the PIAA finals. ... And don’t forget
to visit our website, TribHSSN.triblive.com, for season previews of every team in the WPIAL.
A new football season has
the Birdie smiling ear to
ear, although you can’t
quite see his smile because
he still is wearing his mask.
Good boy, Birdie.
Pulling up a soap box,
old yellow is in the mood to
preach this preseason and
use his column inches to
promote safety and slow the
spread (not the no-huddle
variety).
“I’m vaccinated,
but I am still
playing it safe,”
the Westmoreland
high
school football
expert said.
“I mean, the
quarterback is
still wearing his
helmet, right? And his line is
supposed to protect him, but
there are occasions when
trouble gets through. Just
sayin’ … ”
For now, he will take a jab
at predicting how many wins
each local team will score
this fall.
Belle Vernon
With several returning
playmakers, the Leopards
are going to score some
points and make the evening
news highlights.
Wins: 8 Playoffs: Yes
Derry
A young team with key
voids to fill will need some
time to jell. It could be an
uphill climb, but the
running game will keep
the Trojans in games.
Wins: 4 Playoffs: No
Franklin Regional
The Birdie will
miss trading quips
with Greg Botta, but
he thinks the coach’s
philosophies and trademark
toughness will remain in the
program.
Wins: 5 Playoffs: Yes
Greensburg CC
A bump from transfers will
make an already-talented
team that much better. Look
for a balanced attack and an
edge from the defense that
was missing last year.
Wins: 6 Playoffs: Yes
Greensburg Salem
The Golden Lions hit a
snag after reaching their
700th win. They should be
improved on both sides of
the ball and should be able to
add to the total.
Wins: 4 Playoffs: No
Hempfield
Everything is new here,
including the coaching staff
and the artificial turf at
Spartans Stadium. But will a
change in the Class 6A standings
follow? It’s going to take
a season for everything to
sink in.
Wins: 2 Playoffs: No
Jeannette
What a difference a year
makes. The Birdie usually
penciled in Jeannette
as a playoff team months
before he began research
for his preseason column.
He doesn’t know any of the
current players’ names yet.
This could be a jarring year
for the Jayhawks.
Wins: 2 Playoffs: No
Latrobe
If nothing else, the Wildcats
have been scrappy in
recent seasons, showing
they can play with better
teams. But they need to play
four quarters and finish the
job.
Wins: 4 Playoffs: Yes
Ligonier Valley
After a warm-up year in
the WPIAL, the Rams are
primed to make some noise
like they used to in the
Heritage Conference. Don’t
expect the lopsided scores as
such, but the Rams will be
solid.
Wins: 6 Playoffs: Yes
Monessen
Low numbers will continue
to plague the Greyhounds,
but they will make
strides under a new staff.
Wins: 2 Playoffs: No
Mt. Pleasant
That traditional Vikings
running game should remain
intact, and the defense,
albeit underrated, will keep
the team in a lot of games.
The question will be, can the
line mesh quickly?
Wins: 6 Playoffs: Yes
Norwin
The Knights are itching to
find the right road that leads
them back to the WPIAL
playoffs, but 6A won’t do
them any favors. While the
offense will pick up with
some young energy, the
defense and line will have
trouble keeping up with
conference teams.
Wins: 3 Playoffs: No
Penn-Trafford
The Birdie loves the
Warriors’ massive linemen
already, and they haven’t
even played a snap yet. He
overheard a staff writer
call them the “Jolly Green
Giants” and tried to patent
the phrase for himself. He
thinks big plays are coming,
sprung by those big bodies.
Wins: 8 Playoffs: Yes
Southmoreland
The Scotties have a new
quarterback and some new
skill players, but their line
should be strong. Don’t
be surprised if they land
one or two bonus wins as
underdogs.
Wins: 5 Playoffs: Yes
Yough
While there is skill in the
backfield, the Cougars will
need better blocking to stay
in games and have a chance
to win. And they have to
limit points.
Wins: 3 Playoffs: No
Last year’s record:
72-23 (75.8%)