HERMAN — Summit Academy coach Steve Sherer takes a businesslike approach when trying to explain the goal of reaching the postseason.

"The way we do this is to tell the kids we are members of the WPIAL and the WPIAL sponsors a playoff," said Sherer. "And you have the chance to qualify for these playoffs."

The Knights came close to making the playoffs for the first time in school history last year, but a pair of four-point losses to Shenango and Shady Side Academy caused them to fall short.

With a fresh group of players each season, the playoffs are always a goal, but so is the prime principle of the school.

"People ask us what we expect and that doesn't change," said Sherer. "Each player represents themselves, their family and school well and in a reputable fashion.

"And we want to be competitive in every contest. That's what I look for and if they do that, I can't ask for more," Sherer added.

Hoping to pave the way is David Lawrence, the first three-year player for Summit Academy. He was the Knights' second-leading rusher and was fourth in receptions a year ago.

"We'll move him around. Dave can do a lot of things," said Sherer. "He'll play at outside linebacker but can play corner, too.

"We try to work and develop a core group of kids and that involves seniors, juniors and sophomores."

With the loss of quarterback Steve Grandison, the Knights will employ junior Tywon Newby.

"Tywon does a fine job," said Sherer. "He throws the ball very well and he understands the offense."

When pulling down passes, Lawrence will be joined by tight end Antonio Colazzo and split ends Robert Good and Mark Mitchell as well as wide receiver Terrence Davis.

"I think we'll throw the ball as well as we'll run it," said Sherer. "We should have a balanced attack."

The linemen to protect them have a little more size than in the past, at least compared to last year.

"We are a little bigger. Our tackles and linemen last year averaged about 150 pounds," said Sherer. "This year we have some size. We just hope the guys stay healthy.

"Also, you have to focus on teamwork and getting kids to understand the game. Field position is always important. It's part of the game. That's something the kids don't internalize on early,"Sherer added.

On defense, the Knights appear strong in several fronts, but Sherer stressed the ability to make big plays.

"We had two great defensive ends last year in DeAndreRogers and Lamont Valentine. They had a couple of special seasons and it's going to be hard to fill their shoes."

Sherer knows how teams stack up defensively will be the key in the Tri-County North Conference.

"We'll take it one game at a time," said Sherer. "Mars has a lot back and so does Riverside. From our standpoint, last year was the year of the quarterback.

"You had (Mars' D.J.) Cannon, (Laurel's Corey) Collins, (Shenango's Rocco) Colavecchia and we faced (Dan) Rooney from Shady Side Academy and we had Grandison, who held his own," he added.

Sherer knows each team in the conference will pose its own set of challenges for the Knights.

"Our goal is to make the playoffs. We'll make our own adjustments, put in what we have to and go from there."