JEFFERSON TWP - Don't leave your seat for a hot dog or bag of popcorn at Knoch football games this season.

You might miss something.

The 2005 version of the Knights features a faster, quicker team with big-play capability.

"We have the kids who should be able to make those kinds of things happen," Knoch coach Mike King said.

It all starts at quarterback, where Jordan Shoop returns after throwing 13 touchdown passes and only four interceptions last year.

Knoch's leading receiver as a sophomore, Shoop passed for 942 yards and rushed for 148 as a quarterback last year.

"He's comfortable with pulling the ball down and running with it rather than try to force something that's not there," King said. "I think that's why he had so few passes intercepted.

"Jordan is such an athlete. Now that he's got a year under his belt, he could do some great things."

Division I schools Eastern Michigan, Cincinnati, New Hampshire and Navy already have expressed interest in Shoop.

"We have some new plays devised especially for his talents," senior center-inside linebacker Bill Elliott said.

Knoch has speed at the running back position in Curtis Howard, a transfer from Shaler, and Alex Whisler. Whisler and receiver Joel Berger were on the Knights' 400-meter relay team that broke the school record last spring.

"We won't be the biggest team in our conference, but we'll make up for that in speed," King said.

The Knights return six starters on offense: Shoop, Elliott, Berger, tight end Greg Braden, guard Mark Yoest and tackle Josh Lark.

Braden might move to a guard position.

"We're juggling some personnel up front," King said. "But I like the fact we have three returning starters along our offensive line."

Mike Burns and Zack Macurak are working in at tackle while Seth Montgomery will be the other guard. Dan Pickard, Knoch's backup quarterback last year, is joining Berger at receiver.

Knoch, which will use a multiple I formation, are plugging Kiel Boschele and Justin McGowan into the fullback spot.

None of Knoch's running backs gained any yardage last season, as all of the Knights' prime ball carriers graduated.

On defense, Burns returns at end and Yoest is back at tackle. Elliott is back at linebacker, while Berger and Shoop returns to the secondary.

Sophomore John Zellhart looks strong at nose guard, and Dustin Halahurich is making strides at an end spot.

"Besides them, we're looking at a lot of different kids up front," King said. "We're still trying to fill in the missing pieces there.

"Just like having Shoop back at quarterback, I like having Elliott back at inside linebacker. He'll be calling out the defensive signals and it's good to have experience there."

"Our defense is probably a little bit ahead of our offense right now," Elliott said. "Our offensive line is still coming together."

"We're getting there day by day," Braden agreed. "Our offense is going to make a lot of plays."

McGowan and Montgomery will see action at linebacker, while Pickard and Howard round out the secondary.

Shoop will handle both the kicking and punting duties.

Team captains this year are Shoop, Elliott, Braden and Boschele.

"I like where our experienced personnel falls into place," King said. "Our defensive backs are experienced, which is good because that's usually a high-pressure spot back there.

"I think we're as strong as anyone in the key positions. The kids got a taste of the playoffs last year, and there's no reason they can't get back there again.

"Hampton has to be considered the favorite in our league, and Pine-Richland is always good. But we should be in the mix," King added.

Knoch finished 3-7 last season, but was 3-3 in league play and reached the playoffs. The top four teams in its section advance to the playoffs.

"We want to win the section," Elliott said. "That's the first goal. Then we want to go deep into the playoffs. We have the talent to do it."