Gearing up
JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch coach Mike King took a different approach to preseason scrimmages this season.
“The last couple of years, we just didn't want to get anyone hurt,” the 14th-year coach said. “This year, we need to learn about our kids and what they can do, through scrimmages and practices.”
That's because the Knights don't have a lot of familiar faces returning as starters from last year's 7-3 team.
Only three starters — receiver Adam Albert, linemen Kraig King and Connor Shinsky — are back offensively. Five are back on defense, including linebackers Kaleb Dietz, Colin McTighe and Cody Milsom.
Also back defensively are cornerback Albert and end Shinsky.
“We will definitely be counting on good defense early,” King said. “That's true a lot of times in high school football because you're never quite sure what your offense is going to do.
“Fortunately, our kids take pride in defense here. They like getting after it.”
Shinsky, who joins Albert and McTighe as tri-captains at Knoch, agreed.
“We've watched the upperclassmen do it and now it's our turn,” Shinsky said. “We've gone against those past defenses on scout team and we got rocked a few times.
“They've shown us how key defense is to a team's success.”
Knoch uses a 3-5 defense. Sam Whalen, a junior, looks to replace his graduated brother, Jon, at nose guard. While Shinsky is back at one end, Ty Gornick may play the other. Kraig King and JJ Curry are also in the mix up front.
Joining Albert in the secondary are quarterback candidates Troy Hixson and Dan Farinelli, along with Asa Adams.
“It's important to us to keep the tradition going,” Shinsky said. “Our last three or four years here have been pretty successful and it's time for us to fill those shoes.”
“This has been an interesting camp,” King said. “There's a lot of positions open and kids have been battling to show what they can do. It's been fun.”
One of those interesting battles has been at the quarterback spot. Hixson, a 6-foot-1 junior, started every game behind center for the junior varsity last year.
Farinelli, also a 6-1 junior, is a transfer from Valley who started a few games there as a sophomore.
“Both do different things well,” King said. “Both possess skills necessary to get the job done. That's a close battle right now.“Whichever guy doesn't get the job is going to want to get on the field and play. They are athletic enough to help us at other positions.The Knights will primarily play a one-back set. Milsom and Cory Godlewski are the leading candidates at running back.“We're particularly deep at receiver,” King said. “Jim Larrimer had a great sophomore year, missed last season with a knee injury and now he's back. Cole Shinsky is a talented sophomore who started on the baseball team as a freshman.“Albert is back and others are stepping up there, too.”Up front, Kraig King started at center last season and is moving to tackle. Connor Shinsky is the other tackle. McTighe and Josh Hood are guards with Matt Jaworski at center. Tight end is Sean Daugherty.McTighe played fullback last year and has shifted positions.“I love it,” he said. “It's a better position for me and I just want to help the team win.“Our running backs can't score touchdowns if we don't perform up front. Coach King has really been pressing the O-line. He knows we can do great things if we work hard.”Gornick and Larrimore are battling for the Knights' punting duties, while Logan Tupper handles the place-kicking.“The biggest strength on our team is unity,” Albert said. “We don't have any cliques on this team. We enjoy hanging out together.“We know we've got gaps to fill in our lineup and those gaps are getting filled.”The Knights jump right into Greater Allegheny Conference play to begin the season.“This league is always the same. There are no breaks,” King said. “We have to be ready. Indiana has a lot of athleticism. With Mars and Franklin Regional, there's no chinks in that armor from year to year.”
