Now that the cameras are off, Montour coach Lou Cerro hopes his football program turns on.

Cerro enters his second year as coach of the Spartans, but his first year without Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, former NFLcornerback Ray Crockett and the ESPNreality show "Bound for Glory"cameras.

"We never knew when the cameras were going to pop up last year,"Cerro said. "Those guys never bothered us, but it was just hard to stay focused on the task at hand.

"Dick Butkus and his crew had a contract where they only worked six days a week, so if we tried accomplishing something when they weren't here, they'd come back the next day and change everything. We had to shut everything down at 11:30 each day ... It was just a tough situation."

Now that situation is in the past and Montour is ready to begin a new season by hosting Knoch at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

"Coach Cerro has been around a long time and he knows what it takes to win,"Knoch coach Mike King said. "They've got a nice tailback in (Christian)Wilson and they use some effective four-receiver sets.

"I see them as a program on the rise. I know they'll be much better than last year."

Montour won but one game last season, but Cerro won two WPIALtitles in his final three years at Seton-LaSalle before taking the reins of the Spartans.

Wilson rushed for more than 500 yards last season and sophomore quarterback E.J. Banks started two games as a freshman. He has a solid receiver to throw to in 6-foot-2 Brock McClelland, who caught more than 30 passes a year ago.

The Spartans played a 50 defense last year, but Cerro has switched to a 44.

"We're experienced and talented at linebacker and we want to emphasize that position,"Cerro said.

Middle linebacker Butch Kriger is a two-year starter while Gianni Ricci — hampered by a sprained ankle last year — anchors another linebacking post along with Wilson. Mike Muha is a third-year starter at defensive end.

Knoch scrimmaged Mars and Burrell during the preseason and King said that "neither the players nor coaches were real pleased with how they went.

"We played well in spots, but there's definitely room for improvement," King said.

The Knights' retooled offensive line consists of junior Tyler Krahe at center, senior Seth Montgomery and junior Brian Brodeur at guard, sophomore Henry Cypher and junior Kurtis Schachner at tackle.

Montgomery and Krahe were two of Knoch's most consistent players in the team's scrimmages.

"I'm not sure our other linemen fully grasp what it takes to play consistently at those positions for an entire four quarters,"King said. "The talent and capability are there. We just have to bring it out of them."

With tailback Alex Whisler slow to recover from a sore hamstring, fullback Justin McGowan has gotten the bulk of the carries in preseason.

"The fullback position has played a diminished role in our offense the past few seasons because we've featured the tailback,"King said. "Thatmay change because Justin has really looked good running the ball. We've even experimented with him at tailback.

"Once Alex is healthy, our running game should be in great shape."

The passing game already is, with junior first-year quarterback Zack Gross having a bevy of experienced receivers to throw to.

"Zach is in a nice position because there's not a lot of pressure on him,"King said. "He's growing into the position nicely. He delivered the ball on the money repeatedly in our scrimmages."

Defensibvely, linebacker McGowan, cornerback Dan Pickard, tackle Montgomery and end Eric Farmer have looked good for the Knights.

Kyle Reiser moved from strong safety to free safety and "has looked outstanding,"King said.

<B>7:30 p.m., Friday</B>• <B>Streak:</B>Montour lost eight of its nine games last season.• <B>Statistic:</B>Knoch returns three players with more than 100 yards in receptions from last year:tight end Eric Farmer (138), receiver Dan Pickard (110) and running back Alex Whisler (106).• <B>Speaking:</B> "The spotlight was on Montour last year, they only won one game and everybody saw it. But I see them as a program on the rise and our kids believe what our staff tells them." — Knoch coach Mike King