This is one in a series of articles previewing this weekend's high school football playoff games

Every year, just over half of the WPIAL's 122 football-playing schools earn postseason berths.

But for Summit Academy, the task is two-fold.

With its turnover-rate so high from season to season, the challenge of getting to the playoffs is even more magnified for the Knights.

This season, however, the squad has enough talent and chemistry to still be playing in November.

Summit (4-5) managed wins against Big Seven Conference foes Cornell, Shenango and Northgate and closed the regular season last week by crushing Avella. The effort was good enough to earn the Knights the WPIAL Class A wild card. As the 15th seed, they will open the postseason at three-time defending district champion Clairton Friday night.

Only one other time in the program's history (2013) did the Knights qualify for postseason play.

“We worked on trying to improve each aspect of the team from game to game,” said Summit coach Steve Sherer. “It takes a while for our guys to learn how to win. First, they need to learn how to lose. They have matured and are now a lot more confident. They know what they can do.”

Confidence is a must if a team hopes to hang with the Bears (7-2), who were thought by some to be headed for a down year after a pair of mid-season losses to Imani Christian and Aliquippa. Since then, Clairton has won three games by a combined score of 136-13. Last week's 40-6 drubbing of previously undefeated Jeannette created a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Conference between the Bears, Jayhawks and Imani Christian.

“We've had some adversity this year, including some injuries earlier in the season,” said Clairton coach Wayne Wade, “but we're getting everything back into focus and are on the right track heading into the playoffs.”

Senior running back/wide receiver Tre'sean Howard paces the Bears with 1,141 yards from scrimmage (800 rushing, 341 receiving) and has scored 15 total touchdowns. He is averaging 9.6 yards per rushing attempt and has taken snaps in the Wildcat formation. Sophomore quarterback Brendan Parsons has thrown for 819 yards, 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

Against Class A competition this season, the Bears are allowing just 7.5 points per game.

“Clairton has a great reputation and we know the task that is at hand,” said Sherer. “Our kids have to play up and play fast.”

Summit will give the Bears a fair share of weapons to account for, beginning with senior wide receiver/safety Antonio White. His 10 touchdowns this season have come four different ways — receiving, rushing, kickoff returns and interception returns.

The Knights have used two quarterbacks this year — senior Bailey Krall and junior Delano Brown.

“Delano has a great arm and Bailey is more of a running threat,” said Sherer, “but both have a nice feel for the game.”

Senior Fesojaiye Osifo displayed his capability with 130 yards rushing on just six carries in a Week 8 victory at Northgate.

“We are not taking them lightly,” Wade said of the Knights, “but we just need to worry about us, what we need to do.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.