The Birdie displays his love of history for A-K Valley readers
By:
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | 5:45 PM
Last week: 10-2
Season: 54-13
An inquisitive reader recently questioned the Birdie about a recent column that referenced the Germans bombing Pearl Harbor, informing the Alle-Kiski Valley’s picks expert that it was not, in fact, the Germans that did so.
The reader said he wasn’t offended, he just wanted to make sure the record was historically accurate.
Of course, The Birdie was merely quoting John Belushi’s iconic speech from “Animal House,” one of his favorite movies — “probably right behind ‘The Birds’ and ‘Birdman,’ ” he said. But what ruffled his feathers was the implication that he didn’t know his history.
As if to illustrate his point, The Birdie picks out a book at random from a shelf in his study.
Believing this will prove his bona fides, The Birdie turns his attention to more recent history, that being his 10-2 record in Week 5.
“Kiski and Knoch both did me in,” he said. “But I’ve got to learn from my history unless I want to be doomed to repeat it.”
Fox Chapel (1-5, 1-3) at Connellsville (2-4, 1-3)
Falcons have been used as hunters since ancient Mesopotamia, while fox hunting dates to the 16th century. Fox Chapel won’t be the prey in this one. Fox Chapel, 28-20
Frazier (2-4) at Leechburg (2-4)
George Foreman’s famous victory over Joe Frazier came in 1973, but Frazier won’t go down to Leechburg. Frazier, 21-20
Freeport (2-3, 2-3) at Deer Lakes (3-2, 3-2)
The movie “Bambi” came out in 1942. Freeport has basically acted like the hunter in that movie toward Deer Lakes. Freeport, 21-13
Jefferson-Morgan (2-4) at Riverview (0-5)
Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” was recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest songs of all time. Riverview just needs somebody to score. Jefferson-Morgan, 21-6
Kiski Area (3-3) at Woodland Hills (1-5)
The Wolverines were victorious in the movie “Red Dawn,” and they’ll get a win here even in a down year. Woodland Hills, 28-21
Montour (1-5, 1-2) at Highlands (2-4, 2-2)
Dodge began using “Ram” for its trucks in the 1930s. Cam Taylor is doing a pretty good Ram Truck impression now. Highlands, 35-21
Mt. Pleasant (1-5, 1-3) at Burrell (1-5, 1-4)
Harry S. Truman popularized the phrase, “The buck stops here.” These Bucs will stop their losing streak here. Burrell, 24-14
Plum (1-5, 0-5) at Albert Gallatin (0-6, 0-3)
Albert Gallatin was a great politician and diplomat, but probably not much of a football player. Plum, 28-14
South Fayette (5-1, 3-0) at Knoch (2-4, 2-3)
The existence of the “Knights of the Round Table” is disputed. Even if he did exist, don’t count on Lancelot doing a lot against the Lions. South Fayette, 42-20
Valley (1-5, 0-3) at Apollo-Ridge (2-4, 1-3)
The Viking Age lasted for nearly three centuries, or almost as long as Valley’s current losing streak. Which coach can do a better Leif Ericson impression: Muzzy Colosimo or John Skiba? Valley, 26-21
Saturday
Springdale (0-5) at Northgate (0-6)
The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame” topped the charts in the U.S. in the late 1980s, but these Flames won’t be tops anytime soon. Springdale, 14-13
Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski School, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley
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