INDEX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMEPLAN 2020
The Birdie has been asked
to social distance before so the
concept is not altogether new
to the local
prep football
expert.
“More than
6 feet, usually,”
he said.
“More like
six football
fields. Sometimes
I wonder
if people don’t really like
me.”
Even before covid-19
wrapped its claws around
the globe — “Like a center
squeezing a football into the
dirt before a snap,” Birdie
unleashes on the copy desk
— your favorite predictor of
the pigskin was asked to keep
his distance.
“When most coaches see
me around practice they ask
their assistant with the biggest
muscles to escort me out,”
the Birdie said.
“But now that I have my
mask, they won’t be able to
spot me as easily. I got into
most summer workouts to see
our local teams, except for
Hempfield. They wouldn’t let
me near the joint.”
The Birdie has been following
safety protocols and practicing
social distancing since
March and is primed for a new,
albeit shorter season.
He chewed off his fingernails
— and toenails (eww) —
as he waited for the state government,
PIAA and WPIAL to
finally decide on whether or
not to have a season. He spent
his entire stimulus check on
golf.
The Birdie put his body
through the rigors of offseason
training during quarantine
time and is fit and trim
for opening night.
“Mrs. Birdie made me start
walking to relieve the stress,”
he said. “I spent many evenings
strolling along the Five
Star Trail in Greensburg and
lost a few pounds. Five Star,
like me.
“I would’ve jogged to Green
Tree for the pairings meeting
this year, but they bummed me
out by canceling the time-honored
tradition. Maybe next
year.”
Armed with lifestyle
changes and a tub of hand
sanitizer, the Birdie is ready
to predict winners in 2020. He
welcomes Ligonier Valley to
“The Big Show,” and predicts
Greensburg Salem will get its
long-awaited 700th win “early
on the sked.”
Jeannette and Penn-Trafford
get his “golden tickets.”
If media members are not
permitted in press boxes, the
Birdie said he is prepared to
send a cardboard cutout of
himself as his replacement.
“But they just gotta let us
in,” he said. “There are way
too many rubberneckers in
these boxes as it is.
“Now is the time to give
seats to us working scribes.
Hey, now I can get some prime
parking too.”
Without further adieu, here
are his team predictions with
regular-season wins.
Belle Vernon
The Birdie likes the options the
Leopards have at quarterback
and on defense.
Wins: 5
Playoffs: Yes
Derry
A sound running game and
strong line play will keep the
Trojans in the hunt.
Wins: 4
Playoffs: Yes
Franklin Regional
The tighter schedule didn’t do
the Panthers any favors.
Wins: 3
Playoffs: No
Greensburg Central
Catholic
A big line and key skill players will
have the Centurions ahead a lot.
Wins: 5
Playoffs: Yes
Greensburg Salem
No. 700 will come, but a young
team will have a tough time
getting to 704.
Wins: 3
Playoffs: No
Hempfield
Even if the Spartans can stay
healthy and mold a new QB, they
will have another tough go in 6A.
Wins: 2
Playoffs: No
Jeannette
If the Jayhawks win their
opener, watch out. Another
skill-heavy team could roll in the
Eastern Conference.
Wins: 6
Playoffs: Yes
Latrobe
A lot will depend on how the
Wildcats perform up front.
Wins: 2
Playoffs: No
Ligonier Valley
A return to the WPIAL won’t be
easy, but the Rams will be in a
lot of games — if anyone wants
to play them.
Wins: 2
Playoffs: No
Monessen
A youthful Greyhounds team is
a year or two away from being
factor, but they’ll compete.
Wins: 3
Playoffs: No
Mt. Pleasant
If the Vikings can get the
running game revved up again,
they’ll compete in their new
section.
Wins: 3
Playoffs: No
Norwin
Defense and a running game
need to show up or the Knights
will filter to the bottom again
in 6A.
Wins: 2
Playoffs: No
Penn-Trafford
Loaded at the skill spots, the
Warriors can be dangerous if
their line does its job.
Wins: 6
Playoffs: Yes
Southmoreland
Look for the big blockers to
show improvement, but the
Scotties have to get better on
defense.
Wins: 3
Playoffs: No
Yough
The Cougars are more
experienced and will turn some
heads just when you write them
off.
Wins: 3
Playoffs: No
2 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • TRIBUNE-REVIEW
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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., Jonathan Bombulie, Chris Harlan, Michael Love, Greg Macafee, Don Rebel, Paul Schofield
PHOTOGRAPHERS | Shane Dunlap, Christopher Horner, Michael Love, Greg Macafee, Chaz Palla, Louis B. Ruediger
Hempfield 4
Norwin 6
Franklin Regional 9
Latrobe 10
Penn-Trafford 11
Belle Vernon 13
Greensburg Salem 16
Derry 18
Mt. Pleasant 19
Southmoreland 20
Yough 21
Ligonier Valley 23
Greensburg Central Catholic 25
Jeannette 26
Monessen 27
The Tribune-Review welcomes you to GAMEPLAN 2020, an in-depth look at the upcoming
high school football season in Western Pa. It is designed to serve as a reference for high school
football fans throughout the season. Starting Friday, the Trib will begin its expanded game previews in
FRIDAY GAMEPLAN, a look at the week’s top games, players to watch and statistical leaders.
We will take you from the opening kickoff through the PIAA finals. ... And don’t forget to visit our website,
TribHSSN.triblive.com, for season previews of every team in the WPIAL.
Coaches give The Birdie ‘social distancing’ treatment
Last year’s record:
123-25 (.831)