Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss high school sports first, and we also talk pro sports — Mariners fans rejoice — and a new nickname for the podcast: Shut Up Paul
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
While none of us are concerned about football as a whole — the sport continues to be the biggest draw in sports television in this country.
But at the local level, there are concerns. Football has become more expensive and requires a larger commitment than 10, 20, 30 years ago, and there have been a number of high school programs throughout the country that have been forfeiting games due to participation numbers or calling off the season. Then there are those schools with smaller budgets trying to compete with more affluent schools.
It’s the Study of Sports, with your hosts Paul Valencia, a reporter for Clark County Today, and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland.
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.
This week, we share some concerns for football at the high school level.
We also talk about the process for making an appeal in Washington high school sports.
We defend the integrity of officials, as well.
Then we get into pro sports. The Mariners are going to the playoffs! One Raider fan on the podcast shares an incredible experience in Las Vegas this season.
Oh, and we also bring up a new nickname for the podcast: Shut Up Paul!
We’re always interested in subject ideas for a future podcast. Email us a subject idea.
Send us your thoughts at: paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
Also read:
- Clark County Baseball presents Baseballism Kickoff this week with action all over the region
Thirty-six teams from across the Northwest, including two state champs, are competing in free high school baseball tournaments at local turf fields in Vancouver, Camas, and Ridgefield. - The Study of Sports Podcast March 13, 2026: We discuss the state basketball tournaments, the incredible run from Columbia River boys, the state placing for Evergreen girls, and more
Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss a series of subjects around the WIAA’s state basketball tournaments, plus we get into some Mariners baseball talk and NFL free agency/trade cancellations - Falcon Baseball Academy to host inaugural Extra-Innings Bazaar & Market at Prairie High School
Prairie High School’s Falcon Baseball Academy will host its first Extra-Innings Bazaar & Market on May 2, inviting local vendors and community members to support the school’s baseball program and student activities. - Trophy games: Columbia River boys finish fifth, Evergreen girls take sixth at state tournaments
Columbia River’s boys and Evergreen’s girls both reached the final day of their state basketball tournaments, returning to Vancouver with fifth- and sixth-place trophies. - High school state basketball: Columbia River suffers heartache in overtime loss in semifinals
Columbia River’s run to the Class 2A semifinals ended on a buzzer-beater in overtime, while Evergreen advanced to a trophy game and several other Clark County teams wrapped up their state tournament seasons.
