We find out Jake REALLY likes to talk about the Olympics, and figure skating, and King Klaebo. And we didn't even get to Nazgul the wolfdog!

But first, Derek and Jake break down a big week of WPIAL wrestling championships, where Butler's Santino Sloboda won his third straight gold to join rarified air, the Seneca Valley and Mars boys teams sent several to the PIAA regional tournament and Raiders' girls wrestler Hannah Hornick won her second district silver medal. It's a lot to break down.

But wait! Brendan's got an update from the airwaves on the Knoch-North Catholic district boys basketball playoff game over the weekend, sending the Knights to the WPIAL championship, and some district diving medalists from Seneca Valley and Mars.

Get all the latest from Butler County high school sports this week!

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #miketomlin #WPIAL #SantinoSloboda #Wrestling #ButlerWrestling #GirlsDiving #Olympics

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

It's the best time of the wrestling calendar — POSTSEASON! Jake was on site at Butler High School and got some highlights and news from the WPIAL sectional wrestling tournament, where Butler's Santino Sloboda broke a historic record and classmate Sutton Stoner at long last got the win he has been waiting for. What's ahead for the area's best wrestlers? And what did Sloboda have to say about his latest achievement?

Plus, that Karns City girls basketball team can sure play defense. The Gremlins, with KSAC MVP Naomi Venesky leading the way, won the conference and look like the team to beat in District 9. But can the offense hold its own against stiffer competition, especially if KC gets to the PIAA tournament? The guys break down the Gremlins' odds.

And we talk a little Pirates baseball! It's nearly spring, baby! ESPN gives the Buccos nearly at 25% (!!!) chance to make the postseason and projects 79-80 wins. Jake's just glad Nick Castellanos is not taking up real estate in Philadelphia this year.

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #miketomlin #WPIAL #SantinoSloboda #Wrestling #ButlerWrestling

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

So, as soon as we started recording this week's episode, the WPIAL basketball tournament brackets were announced. But unlike that bracket show, ours doesn't freeze in the middle of the stream! Derek, Brendan and Jake attempt to break down in real time the seedings and matchups for Knoch boys, Mars boys and girls, Seneca Valley boys and girls, Freeport girls and North Catholic boys and girls. The WPIAL championships begin Thursday, Feb. 11, 2026.

Then, Karns City girls basketball star Naomi Venesky and coach Steve Andreassi return to the pod and are officially "friends of the show" now. Venesky talks about reaching 1,000 points last week, and coach and player talk about the Gremlins' roster, playoff chances and more.

Plus, Super Bowl reactions, fondest coaching memories and more. We're talking 'bout PLAYOFFS!

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #miketomlin #WPIAL #KarnsCity #GirlsBasketball #1000Points

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

The WPIAL, District 9 and District 10 playoffs are right around the corner. But many Butler County teams still have to make the dance. Derek, Brendan and Jake discuss this year's surprises and which teams have the best chance to stick around for a while. Can Seneca Valley girls, poised to repeat as WPIAL Section 1-6A champs, make a deep run to the PIAA tournament, or are Karns City, North Catholic (boys and girls) or Slippery Rock girls the area's biggest threat?

Then, Knoch boys basketball coach Joe Lafko joins the pod to talk about his surging Knights, another WPIAL contender, and his more-than-30 years of coaching, family and HUGE Fayette County Family. You can't begin to guess how many cousins this man has!

Finally, it's Super Bowl week! Time to talk the Stanley Cup Final! Just kidding ... the guys make their predictions for Super Bowl LX and who will win MVP, and touch on that whole Bill Belichick snub thing. They're actually more in alignment than you'd expect.

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #MoniteauHighSchool #JakeJewart #miketomlin #MoniteauBoysBasketball #slipperyrockpa #MarsPA

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

Student section week is here in Butler County, and Derek, Brendan and Jake talk about how high school crowds do it best. And then Karns City senior Quinn Robinson, the man behind the theme nights and organizing the gang, joins the show to tell us why the Gremlins have the best supports in all the land.

Plus, the Steelers named a head coach. Maybe you know his name. Mike McCarthy. Brendan covered the press conference and shares his inside-baseball thoughts, but is this more of the same for the Steelers or are Lombardis on the horizon again?

And Butler held a big girls wrestling tournament over the weekend, which state power Canon-McMillan dominated. Jake was there to get the lay of the land, and breaks down some of the top performances, how Knoch is doing with its coach reinstated and what might be ahead for some of the area's best wrestlers.

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #Spring2026 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #BestStudentSection #MikeMcCarthy #Pittsburgh #Steelers #KarnsCity #Mars #Butler #Knoch #SlipperyRock #NorthCatholic #SenecaValley #Freeport #Moniteau

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

Move over, Mike Tomlin. There's bigger coaching carousel news this week!

Derek, Brendan and Jake break down last week's stories on Mars and Slippery Rock losing their head football coaches. What's next? Who might be a candidate for those teams? How good of a job are they? Oh, yeah, there's a Steelers coaching search going on. The guys discuss one of the rarest occurrences in American sports.

And Moniteau boys basketball coach Jake Jewart hops on the show to talk about taking the reigns of his alma mater from his dad and leading a surging Warriors team to a hot start. Jewart discusses what's new and what's the same in his first year, which players make him roll his eyes the most and what's ahead this season.

And finally, the PIAA announced the state soccer championships are coming to Pittsburgh's Highmark Stadium and overtime is going extinct during the regular season. What's the bigger news for high school soccer, and what does it mean going forward (besides a sorter trip for us if any local teams make the state final)?

Episode LINKS:

Coach Eric Kasperowicz leaving Mars football to take over North Hills after four playoff appearances with Planets

Larry Wendereusz resigns as Slippery Rock football coach after 10 seasons, two District 10 final appearances

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #MoniteauHighSchool #JakeJewart #miketomlin #MoniteauBoysBasketball #slipperyrockpa #MarsPA

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

In this episode, John joins Derek in the studio for a wide-ranging sports conversation that hits both the local and national stage.

They're joined by Slippery Rock girls basketball senior Madison Romanovich and Coach Jeff Steele to talk about leadership, senior season mindset, team culture, and what it means to represent your school at the highest level.

The conversation also turns to the breaking news of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin retiring after 19 seasons — reflecting on his legacy, impact on the franchise, and what comes next.

From high school hoops to NFL headlines, this episode is all about leadership, longevity, and leaving your mark.

Subscribe for more local sports conversations and in-depth interviews.

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #Basketball #GirlsBasketball #BoysBasketball #RocketsBasketball #SlipperyRockHighSchool #SlipperyRockPA

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host

It's a whole new year!

Not really, we're at the midway point of the PIAA winter season. And with that, let's have some fun.

Since we last were on air, Butler boys basketball went 1-3 and Karns City basketball has looked impressive. What were Derek, Brendan and Jake's takeaways from the holidays?

Next, what's the biggest storyline to watch the rest of the regular season. Jake says it's Butler wrestler Santino Sloboda chasing history in the county. Do you agree? Do the guys?

Then, we declare our allegiences to one of the final four college football teams left in the CFP.

Finally, we hand out some midseason Butler County awards. Girls basketball MVP, boys basketball MVP, biggest surprises (good and bad) and the best team in the county (all sports). Who do you got?

But first, Derek, Brendan and Jake talk that crazy Steelers-Ravens game and if Pittsburgh "deserved" to make the playoffs.

For more on Butler Eagle Sports go to:

https://www.butlereagle.com/section/sports/

Follow on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/altereaglepodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/butlereaglenews/

www.alter-eagle.com

#WesternPA #butlercounty #highschoolfootball #predictions #Sports #sportspodcast #eyeonsports #altereaglepodcast #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth #butlereagle #sportswriters #swedishfish #pittsburgh #downtownbutler #butlerdowntown #podcast #butlerpa #butlercounty #collegefootball #steelers #eagles #coach #steelers #WPIALS #piaa #HighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFootball #Fall2025 #EyeOnsportsPodcast #SeasonTwo #2026 #Basketball #Wrestling #GirlsBasketball #BoysBasketball

This podcast is recorded and produced by Alter Eagle at The Butler Eagle, Eagle Printing, located in Butler, PA.

Cast:

Host: Derek Pyda, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Brendan Howe, Eagle Sports Writer

Co-Host: Jake Merda Adams, Eagle Sports Editor

Producer, Host & Editor: Laura Crago, Alter Eagle Producer & Host