HERMAN — Dametrius Addison could feel the energy at Geneva College.

Even a 50-26 loss to Beaver Falls in Summit Academy's first-ever appearance in the WPIAL playoffs didn't take the shine off the game. Addison was hooked on the energy of the playoffs.

As the Knights' lone returning contributor from last season, Addison wants to have that feeling again.

“The last game, everybody stuck together as a team and didn't give up,” Addison said about his favorite moment of last season. “Playing at a college field, everybody did what they had to. It worked out well.”

Making a return trip to the playoffs won't be easy for Summit Academy. When the WPIAL realigned football conferences, it didn't do the Knights any favors.

Summit Academy will now be in a section with the Beaver County schools, including perennial Class AA powers Aliquippa and Beaver Falls.

The Quips were the WPIAL runner-up last season and were back-to-back champions in 2011 and 2012.

If Summit Academy makes a return trip to the playoffs, it will be earned.

“Playing the likes of New Brighton, Beaver ... Aliqiuppa is a legend,” Summit Academy coach Steve Sherer said. “I'm going to take that on with as much pride and as much enthusiasm and as much effort as I can. This will be a good lesson. It will be a good lesson for our kids to say we competed against one of the best teams in Western Pennsylvania.”

Wide receiver/defensive end Dondre Jackson welcomes the challenge. The Allentown, Pa., native has only heard about the schools in passing, but knows the schedule will be tough.

“It's a pleasure. I like the competition,” Jackson said. “I know Aliquippa is a good team, and I just want to play my hardest with my team here.”

Addison will lead a rushing attack that will play a big role for the Knights. Summit Academy, which is coming off a 5-5 campaign, has a bigger line than in previous years.

“We're not a fast team. I think we can hopefully hold onto the ball and move three, four, five yards a pop,” Sherer said. “That's the kind of team I see us being and are hoping to be.”

Jackson thinks the hard-running Addison is a good No. 1 option.

“He's a good running back. He's real fast with his cuts,” Jackson said. “He's a real football player. He keeps his head in the game and does what he can for the team.”

Junior linebacker/quarterback Austin Showalter wants to see the Knights get after the quarterback with their 5-3 defense. Summit Academy allowed 20.6 points per game last season.

“It's a heavy-pack blitz, stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback,” Austin Showalter said. “We have a pretty good safety that plays back from the deep ball.”

Addison's looking forward to seeing what Summit Academy can do this year.

He wants another opportunity to play in front of a large crowd.

“I want to go even farther than we did last year,” Addison said. “We have some talent on our team.”