Last week: 8-2 (80%)

Season: 58-17 (77.3%)

The Birdie walked into the sports department Tuesday afternoon with a purpose. The chances of him keeping whatever was on his mind to himself were, as always, zero.

“I’m cheesed off at the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame people,” he said, as if anyone asked. “They inducted the Class of ’26 today, and, honestly, they did a good job. Mario, Franco, Myron. Icons. Like “Birdie,” they are recognized all over town by just one name.

“It’s not who got in that’s got me mad. It’s who they left out.

“Last week, Donnie (another one-name legend, but I’m talking about Iris for the uninformed) announced his retirement from live performances. The Birdie’s not complaining about that. Donnie’s a Pittsburgh hero. He’s had some health problems. Of all people, he’s earned the rest and relaxation.

“But these Walk of Fame people, the moment they read Donnie’s announcement, they should have been out there on Smallman Street with a hammer and chisel.

“Waive the waiting period. Induct Donnie now.

“There was nothing like a Donnie Iris show. ‘Agnes’ with its epic storytelling and head-bobbing bounce. The futuristic charm of ‘Do You Compute?’ The unforgettable riff of ‘Love is Like a Rock.’ The Summer of Love vibes of ‘The Rapper.’ The way he gives us an ethereal alternate version of ‘Ah! Leah!’ before ripping into the all-time classic we’ve heard on ‘DVE forever.

“Rock stars are a dime a dozen, but he is our rock star, a legend we appreciate more than anyone else.

“The Birdie makes jokes and exaggerates points for the purposes of writing a, hopefully, entertaining column, but about this he’s as serious as can be: Thanks, Donnie, for a lifetime of tunes.”

With that off his chest, The Birdie made his Week 8 picks in the A-K Valley.

Plum (5-2) at North Hills (5-1): The big-picture storyline is Plum trying to get its momentum back after a pair of tough-to-swallow losses, but here’s why The Birdie loves this one: Plum’s offense, led by WPIAL leading passer John Nonnenberg, against an Eric Kasperowicz-coached North Hills defense that has allowed double-digit points just once this season. North Hills, 17-14

Deer Lakes (2-5) at Freeport (6-1): The records make the Yellowjackets look like clear favorites, but this is no layup. The Lancers can score some points. Freeport, 34-30

Shaler (2-5) at Kiski Area (2-5): The Cavaliers have a great chance to prove those early nonconference losses didn’t mean a thing. Kiski Area, 21-20

Highlands (6-1) at Burrell (5-2): Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg is the WPIAL’s leading rusher. Antonio Perkins is also in the top five. Hey stat guys. Bring your calculators. Highlands, 38-27

Valley (2-5) at Knoch (3-4): Both teams had morale-building early-season wins. One of them will get that winning feeling back. Knoch, 23-17

Steel Valley (5-2) at Apollo-Ridge (6-1): With due respect to Ligonier Valley, is this the de facto conference championship game? Apollo-Ridge, 27-20

Greensburg Central Catholic (5-2) at Riverview (1-6): The Centurions are on upset watch this week. The Raiders looked pretty good well into the second half against Serra Catholic. Greensburg Central Catholic, 24-20

Serra Catholic (3-4) at Springdale (1-5): I’m sure it was no fun for the Dynamos to forfeit against Clairton last week, but they’ll have a deeper roster for this one because of it. Serra Catholic, 19-7

Indiana (2-5) at Fox Chapel (1-6): The Foxes have a chance to get their offense going, but Indiana’s ground game is more advanced. Indiana, 27-20