Mike Surkalo, Ed Hepe, A.G. "Cappy" Capezzuti, Joe Savannah Sr., Dick Dilts and Art Bernardi will be honored during a pre-game ceremony at Friday night's Kiski Area-Butler season-opening football game.

These six represent the honorees of Butler's second annual Hometown Heroes program.

A pre-game reception for the honorees will be held on school grounds at 4:30 p.m. They will be recognized on the field at about 6:45.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Surkalo

was sports editor of the Butler Eagle from 1946 through 1985 and was one of the founders of the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame.

He said the best teams he ever covered were Butler football squads of 1950 and through the middle '60s and '70s.

Hepe

was hired as Butler High School athletic director in 1966. He was still athletic director when the Golden Tornado were WPIAL co-champions in football in 1977.

He was a running back and safety for Slippery Rock University from 1951-54 and returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown.

Capezzuti

was head football coach at Butler from 1948 to 1960 and compiled a 73-35-6 record. He coached the Tornado's undefeated squad of 1950.

Now deceased. Capezzuti was a prime initiator of the Butler Area Midget Football program. His son, David, will accept his award Friday.

Dilts

graduated from Butler in 1948 and went on to post a 234-118-7 record in 39 years of high school coaching.

He coached undefeated teams at Kiski Area in 1964 and 1971. His 1971 squad won the WPIAL championship and was ranked No. 1 in the state. His teams won 14 conference championships.

Savannah

graduated from Butler in 1958 and became the school's strength and conditioning coach in 1991. He established the Northern Area Football Coaches Association Lift-A-Thon.

He established the Butler Football Lift-A-Thon as a fund-raiser that helped obtain $75,000 worth of weight room equipment. In 14 years, he has watched the weight room usage grow to 30,000 athletes.

Bernardi

was head football coach at Butler from 1961 through 1985 and was an assistant coach at Slippery Rock University from 1991-95.

His teams went 26-1 from 1963 to 1965. He took Butler football teams to five WPIAL championship games and posted a 179-64-7 record overall.

Nominations are being accepted for next year. Criteria are that the nominee be at least 50 years old, contributed to the Butler football program, made a positive experience after Butler football, be in good standing with the community and be known for good character.

Nominations can be submitted by March 31 to Kevin and Joni Vogel, 140 Garden Grove Drive in Butler.