What we learned at Butler Eagle Football Media Day 2025: Freeport’s stability, numbers game at Mars, more
Karns City’s CJ Emrick, left, Sean Slaughenhoupt, center, Kolby Blair, right, show off their power during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Seneca Valley’s Cayden Parker, Adam Gehm, Tommy Wuychecck during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Mars’ Ethan Kresinski, Ayden Yocum, and Zach Dentel during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Union/AC Valley’s Aidan Fox, Max Gallagher, and Colbin Elliott during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Slippery Rock’s Jacob Reich, Owen Long, Douglas Popovec, and Sawyer Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey, Levi Lacava, and Braden Beachem during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) North Catholic’s Nick Franco, Reid Rinker, and Joey Felitsky during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Knoch’s Ben Allen, Carter Worsley, Koen Sundie, and Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Beau Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler Football team during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler Football team during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams talks with the Butler’s Beau Burchett, left, and Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams talks with the Butler’s Beau Burchett, left, and Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler Eagle sport’s writer Brendan Howe talks with Mars’ assistant football coach Ed Malinowski during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Zach Dentel shoots hoops during some down time at the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Ethan Kresinski shoots hoops during some down time at the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Beau Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Beau Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Owen Neistein during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Owen Neistein during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Anthony O’Donnell during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Anthony O’Donnell during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Ben Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Ben Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Koen Sundie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Koen Sundie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Carter Worsley during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Knoch’s Carter Worsley during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Ethan Kresinski during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Ethan Kresinski during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Zach Dentel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Zach Dentel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Ayden Yocum during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Mars’ Ayden Yocum during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Braden Beachem during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Braden Beachem during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Levi Lacava during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Levi Lacava during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Nick Franco during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Nick Franco during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Reid Rinker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Reid Rinker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Joey Felitsky during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Joey Felitsky during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley’s Adam Gehm during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley’s Adam Gehm during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley’s Tommy Wuycheck during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley’s Cayden Parker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley’s Cayden Parker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Jacob Reich during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Jacob Reich during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Sawyer Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Sawyer Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Owen Long during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Owen Long during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Douglas Popovec during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock’s Douglas Popovec during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC Valley’s Aidan Fox during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC Valley’s Aidan Fox during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC Valley’s Colbin Elliott during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC Valley’s Colbin Elliott during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC Valley’s Max Gallagher during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC Valley’s Max Gallagher during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s CJ Emrick, left, Sean Slaughenhoupt, center, Kolby Blair, right, show off their power during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Seneca Valley’s Cayden Parker, Adam Gehm, Tommy Wuychecck during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Mars’ Ethan Kresinski, Ayden Yocum, and Zach Dentel during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Union/AC Valley’s Aidan Fox, Max Gallagher, and Colbin Elliott during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Slippery Rock’s Jacob Reich, Owen Long, Douglas Popovec, and Sawyer Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey, Levi Lacava, and Braden Beachem during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) North Catholic’s Nick Franco, Reid Rinker, and Joey Felitsky during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Knoch’s Ben Allen, Carter Worsley, Koen Sundie, and Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Beau Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler Football team during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler Football team during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams talks with the Butler’s Beau Burchett, left, and Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams, left, talks with the Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sports editor Jake Adams talks with the Butler’s Beau Burchett, left, and Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day podcast on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler Eagle sport’s writer Brendan Howe talks with Mars’ assistant football coach Ed Malinowski during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Zach Dentel shoots hoops during some down time at the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Ethan Kresinski shoots hoops during some down time at the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Tyson Pino during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Beau Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Beau Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Stone Spack during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Owen Neistein during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Owen Neistein during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Anthony O’Donnell during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Freeport’s Anthony O’Donnell during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Kolby Blair during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s CJ Emrick during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Karns City’s Sean Slaughenhoupt during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Ben Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Ben Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Koen Sundie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Koen Sundie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Carter Worsley during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Carter Worsley during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Ethan Kresinski during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Ethan Kresinski during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Zach Dentel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Zach Dentel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Ayden Yocum during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mars’ Ayden Yocum during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Braden Beachem during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Braden Beachem during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Levi Lacava during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Levi Lacava during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Brendin Sankey during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Nick Franco during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Nick Franco during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Reid Rinker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Reid Rinker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Joey Felitsky during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic’s Joey Felitsky during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Adam Gehm during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Adam Gehm during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Tommy Wuycheck during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Cayden Parker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Cayden Parker during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Jacob Reich during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Jacob Reich during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Sawyer Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Sawyer Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Owen Long during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Owen Long during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Douglas Popovec during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock’s Douglas Popovec during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union/AC Valley’s Aidan Fox during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union/AC Valley’s Aidan Fox during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union/AC Valley’s Colbin Elliott during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union/AC Valley’s Colbin Elliott during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union/AC Valley’s Max Gallagher during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Union/AC Valley’s Max Gallagher during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Football coaches often talk about one season beginning shortly after the previous one ends. Offseason work or lack of it, especially in the weight room, will show up in one way or another on the field.
For the Butler Eagle, the unofficial start to the 2025 season came Friday with its second annual Butler Eagle Football Media Day, held at Butler High School. Ten teams from four classifications and three PIAA districts were represented.
Players and coaches gave their thoughts on the upcoming season, but also offered some anecdotes on subjects surrounding the game, some current and some from years gone by.
Here are some things we learned from a handful of teams:
Numerical tradition
Mars linebacker Zach Dentel, who’d worn No. 44 during his first three varsity campaigns, had sported No. 5 throughout youth football.
“Five has always been my favorite number, and Eric (Kasperowicz) had it because he was a grade above me,” Dentel said. “I loved 44, so I stuck with that for the first three years, then I asked Coach K, ‘Can I get 5?’”
Kasperowicz, now playing safety for Division III John Carroll, rumbled for 1,401 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground last season.
“Me and Eric were messing around. We were saying how the 11 at Penn State, how it keeps getting passed on,” Dentel said. “We’re trying to pass down the 5.”
Welcome return
Last season, Dylan Henderson arrived with Freeport as its fourth offensive coordinator in as many seasons. The 2009 West Shamokin graduate is back designing the offense for this campaign — and might be around for a while longer, too.
“He’s here to stay,” Yellowjackets coach John Gaillot said. “He’s huge for us. ... He tweaks (the attack), and that’s what we want.”
Freeport averaged 30.1 points per game under Henderson’s direction. Quarterback Drew Ross threw for over 1,300 yards and tailback Amos Glenn rushed for the same. Both are also back for the upcoming season.
Semper Fi meets Planets gridiron
Mars receivers coach Ed Malinowski, a 2002 Naval Academy graduate, played 29 games for the Midshipmen, rushing for 278 yards and passing for another 711. He was even in the NCAA football video game.
“Back in the day, man,” Malinowski said. “I think I was probably (rated in the game) a high-70s, low-80s (overall).”
Malinowski served active duty as a United States Marine Corps logistics officer for six years. He compared the Planets’ practices to his Marine Corps workouts.
“I used to get nervous going to those workouts,” Malinowski said. “It’s great to be nervous about the stuff where the stakes are a little lower. Then, when you show up, you don’t necessarily have that shock on Friday night.”
Karns City’s CJ Emrick, left, Sean Slaughenhoupt, center, Kolby Blair, right, show off their power during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Purple and Gold in his veins
Karns City head coach Joe Sherwin is entering his eighth season of leading the Gremlins. He was an assistant coach under Ed Conto for 18 seasons prior to that and played for legendary KC coach Mel Semenko before graduating in 1989.
Semenko’s 100 wins were a program record before Conto came along.
“He was an interesting character,” Sherwin said. “One thing I remember about him was he wanted us to never be out-physicaled by another team. I think that’s a standard we’ve been able to uphold through the years.”
Ironically, two games that stick out for Sherwin were defeats.
“I was a junior running back and defensive back in 1987,” he said. “We played in the Little 12 Conference back then and got to the conference title game against Brockway ... Game was played on a very hot day. We had a chance to win, but missed a late field goal and lost (19-18). Two weeks later, we played them again in the district title game in DuBois and it must have been 20 below, has to be the coldest game I’ve ever been a part of. We lost again (14-10).”
They were the only two blemishes in a 9-2 season.
Walking the tight rope
Dan Reed is keeping his fingers crossed.
Union/A-C Valley’s coach loves having 46 players between the Class 1A program’s varsity and junior varsity teams.
“At this time last year, our numbers were in the low-30s,” Reed said. “We were able to play just two junior varsity games before injuries cut short the (JV) season.
“Having a JV team is very important, getting those kids playing experience to get them ready to move up to varsity. We have the numbers now, but that can change quickly, and it’s not just about how many kids you have, it’s what positions they play. You can have enough kids to have a team, but you may not have enough linemen.”
