HERMAN — As the Summit Academy football team labored through sprints and drills during preseason training camp, many of the athletes had never played a football game.

Those same players will hit the gridiron on Friday night for a taste of the postseason.

The Knights (5-4) square off with Beaver Falls (7-2) in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs on Friday at Reeves Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

It’s the first postseason berth in school history.

“This is a new feeling for them,” said Summit Academy coach Steve Sherer. “Think about this: Never playing football before and they’re going to the playoffs — that’s most of the kids.

“That just tells you a little bit about their character,” he added. “They have a lot of heart and leadership skills. We’re happy they’re playing for us.”

Summit’s lack of experience in a big-game atmosphere does create challenges, though.

“They don’t understand that you have to bear down, now you have to focus. It gets a little tougher,” said Sherer. “It’s not the Xs and Os, the kids have that. It’s about playing for who you are, playing a level above what you have been playing ... not taking a down off and focusing.”

Elijah Hardy will pace a strong rushing attack for the Knights. He finished second in the Butler County area in rushing yards with 964 and 12 touchdowns on 131 carries.

Nate Cofer is a bruiser who broke off an 85-yard touchdown run last week and has 351 yards and five touchdowns on 53 attempts this season. Larry Richardson is another big-play threat with 406 yards and four scores on 55 totes.

“Our backs and line are coming along,” said Sherer. “They’re getting better and better.”

Beaver Falls will counter with a potent ground game of its own.

Damian Rawl has collected 1,022 yards on 127 carries and has found the end zone 12 times this season. The Tigers have four other backs with at least 235 yards, highlighted by Kahlil Caracter’s 455 yards and eight touchdowns on 47 carries.

J’Ron Hill-Phillips quarterbacks the Knights. He has completed 21-of-44 passes for 276 yards with two scores and eight interceptions.

“He’s the only guy we have from last year,” said Sherer. “He’s the only guy.”

Lemuel McFadden is Summit’s top receiver with seven catches for 176 yards and one touchdown.

Beaver Falls figure to have an advantage through the air, as Dan Stratton has connected on 64-of-102 pass attempts for 1,114 yards, 12 touchdowns and four picks.

Javon Turner has hauled in 17 catches for 335 yards, while Sage Curry has caught 13 for 374.

Although the Knights are not equipped with much experience, they have made consistent strides throughout the regular season.

“These guys are now understand how to hold on to a lead, how to come back when you’re behind,” said Sherer. “That’s what you don’t have in the first two or three games.”

Following Saturday’s 38-20 win over Freeport, Sherer was optimistic his could compete with a high seed.

“I think if everybody can stay healthy and kids don’t get caught up in the hoopla, we might be able to hang in there,” he said. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

DuBois Area (6-3, 4-1)

at Slippery Rock (9-0, 5-0)

7 p.m., Friday

Last Week: DuBois won a shootout over Meadville 56-35; Slippery Rock outlasted Oil City 27-14.

Numbers: Slippery Rock has gained 3,787 yards, averaged 10.1 yards per carry and scored 47 TDs on the ground this season. ... RB Frank Conlon leads the Rockets with 752 yards. Ryan Lauster is second with 677 yards on just 32 carries. ... QB Jake Whitmer threw his first INT of the season last week, but still has solid numbers with 452 yards and nine TDs on 14-of-25 passing. ... DuBois QB Gabe French has attempted 25 or more passes in a single game three times this season. French, a 6-3, 200-pound junior, has completed 134-of-204 passes for 2,136 yards and 23 TDs. He threw for 393 yards last week against Meadville. ... Junior RB Devin Clark has rushed for 1,136 yards and 20 scores for the high-powered DuBois offense. ... Junior WR Bryson Paulinellie has hauled in 53 passes for 1,053 yards and 13 TDs for the Beavers.

Notes: Slippery Rock has already received on of the top two seeds in the District 10 Class AAA playoffs and will receive a first-round bye. The Rockets won’t open the playoffs until Nov. 15 when they will face the General McLane-Warren winner at Slippery Rock University. ... DuBois is a Class AAAA school.

Brockway (5-4)

at Moniteau (3-6)

7 p.m., Friday

Last Week: Brockway downed Port Allegany 49-24; Moniteau plastered Punxsutawney 36-0

Numbers: Brockway relies heavily on quarterback Alec Shaffer-Doan, who has completed 179-of-306 pass attempts for 2,269 yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 697 yards and three touchdowns on 107 carries. ... Anthony Benson leads the Rovers in receiving with 70 catches for 1,044 yards and 16 TDs and is next best on the ground with 484 yards and nine scores on 65 totes. ... Anthony Isabella has 57 grabs for 712 yards and nine TDs and three other Rovers have at least 10 catches. ... Cody Skiver has paced the Moniteau offense with 865 passing yards with nine TDs and 13 interceptions, along with 642 rushing yards and three scores. ... Stephen Hagg is second on the Warriors with 468 rushing yards on 90 totes. ... Dustin Geagan broke loose last week for three TDs and has 398 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season with 10 catches for 185 yards and a score. ... Trevor Shaffer has 204 yards on the ground and 302 yards receiving.

Marion Center (2-7)

at Karns City (8-1)

7 p.m., Friday

Last Week: Marion Center beat United by a 34-7 margin; Karns City cruised to a 42-6 rout of Brookville.

Numbers: The Stingers are led by quarterback Blake Orr, who completed 44-of-125 passes for 808 yards with two TDs and eight interceptions. ... Noah Hoover is Marion Center’s top receiver with 16 grabs for 310 yards and two scores. ... Colton Fairman leads the Stingers in rushing with 295 yards and four touchdowns on 67 attempts. Hoover has 63 carries for 223 yards and two TDs. ... KC quarterback Tyler Kepple is completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,181 yards, 20 TDs and six interceptions. ... Dakota Mohney (26 catches, 412 yards, seven TDs), Logan Moroney (18, 317, five) and Wyatt Everetts (10, 200, four) are all viable receiving threats for the Gremlins. ... Karns City is averaging 8.2 yards per rush as a team, racking up 2,869 yards on 329 attempts.

Notes: The Gremlin defeated Marion Center 34-20 last season.

Cambridge Springs (7-2)

at Union (4-5)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Last Week: Cambridge Springs blasted Mercyhurst Prep 48-13; Union edged Keystone 16-12.

Numbers: Colton Noble carries the load for the Blue Devils with 1,424 yards and 20 touchdowns on 157 attempts. ... Devin Walker (572 yards, 10 TDS) and Zach Stafford (559, 11) are also dangerous on the ground. ... Walker is a dual threat at the Cambridge Springs quarterback, completing 33-of-83 passes for 535 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. ... Union junior quarterback Lane Cicciarelli has connected on 63-of-137 attempts for 1,406 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. ... Shane Murphy (22 catches, 641 yards, 10 TDs) and Chet Carmichael (24, 528, 5) lead the Butler County area in receiving yardage.

Notes: The Golden Knights dropped Cambridge Spring 22-6 in 2012.

Shade (4-5)

at A-C Valley (0-9)

7 p.m., Friday

Last Week: Shade was edged by Meyersdale 21-20 while the Falcons were blanked by Clarion 55-0.

Numbers: The Shade Panthers rely heavily on the ground game, as a trio of quarterbacks have combined to attempt just 66 passes with two touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. Senior FB Tyler Kline leads the team with 490 yards rushing and six touchdowns. ... Senior Dallas Wingard has accounted for 539 all-purpose yards this year for the Falcons (366 rushing, 28 receiving and 145 on kick returns) while adding three TDs.

Notes: Shade High School is located in Cairnbrook, Pa., about 20 miles northeast of Somerset. The Panthers compete in District 5. ... A-C Valley is trying to avoid its first winless season since 2009. ... The Falcons were originally scheduled to host West Shamokin, but the Wolves qualified for the WPIAL Class A playoffs, which begin Friday.