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