The Study of Sports Podcast Oct. 21, 2026: The sports enthusiasts discuss a current local situation that is making national news, plus high school football, and a brief Mariners talk, too

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

In this latest episode, we briefly discuss the situation that has garnered national attention in Southwest Washington in regard to transgener athletes and an election. We also discuss a local football school opting out of its varsity schedule for the rest of the year.

Those are serious topics.

Then we get into our usual, fun banter regarding football teams in the region, how one of us is a “hater,” and we eventually get into the joy that Seattle sports fans must feel now that a Seattle team has reached the World Series. Wait, what? Seattle Pilots forever, everyone!

Our podcast format is simple: A longtime sports reporter (Paul Valencia) discusses high school sports, and more, with longtime sports administrators and former coaches. Cale Piland is the former head football coach at Evergreen and Union and is now the athletic director for Evergreen Public Schools. Tony Liberatore is a former assistant coach and athletic director at Columbia River and is now an associate principal at Fort Vancouver.

We’re always interested in subject ideas for a future podcast. Email us a subject idea.

Send us your thoughts at: [email protected].