Why Knoch football coach T.J. Wiley is leaning on Zach Szebalskie, a veteran ‘lead-by-example’ lineman, this season
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Knoch head coach T.J. Wiley instructs his players during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch football holds its last practice of heat week Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch football heads into the 2025 season under a new coaching staff. The Knights held their last practice of heat week Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Ethan Wruleau runs with the ball during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Evan Fink gets set before a play during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Carter Beres takes a handoff during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Makai Noah finishes work on the training sled during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Max Wiley passes the ball during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Zack Szebalskie works on step-overs during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Ethan Wruleau runs to set a block during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Evan Fink catches a ball during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch's Zach Szebalskie goes to block a defender during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch football heads into the 2025 season under new leadership. The Knights held their last practice of heat week Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knoch defensive line coach Don Thomas talks to players during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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Knock's Evan Fink catches the ball during football practice Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Knights Stadium at Knoch High School. Jared Todhunter/Special to the Eagle
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(L-R) Knoch’s Ben Allen, Carter Worsley, Koen Sundie, and Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Koen Sundie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Koen Sundie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Carter Worsley during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Carter Worsley during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Zach Szebalskie during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Ben Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Knoch’s Ben Allen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at Butler High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
JEFFERSON TWP — New coach, new system, similar anchor.
Zach Szebalskie returns as a fourth-year starter along Knoch’s offensive and defensive lines. The senior is shifting from center to guard offensively and will hold down a defensive end spot again.
First-year Knoch football head coach T.J. Wiley is just happy he’s on the field, period.
“Any first-year head coach needs someone like that,” Wiley said. “It’s not just the fact he’s a fourth-year starter. ... He’s a super kid. He doesn’t yell, but he fits the bill as a leader. Zach is one of those lead-by-example type of guys.
“We asked him to move from center to guard this year, and he didn’t bat an eye. That kid will do anything for the team. You win with kids like that.”
Changing positions is nothing new for Szebalskie. He played tackle as a freshman and sophomore before moving to guard last year.
Also a member of the track and field team, Szebalskie said football is his favorite sport. He hopes to play in college.
“Football is a family. I want to play this game as long as I can,” he said.
It didn’t take Wiley long to recognize what kind of player he had in Szebalskie.
“He’s been a pleasure to work with since the day I was hired,” the coach said. “During track season, he’d come over after practice and participate in our workouts. He was the only one who did that. He’s a great athlete who wants to shine in everything he does.
“When I met with the team, he asked a lot of questions. He cares about this program. He’ll make plays at defensive end, too. The desire is there.”
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Szebalskie admits he is under-sized as a lineman. He’s not fazed by that at all.
Nor is he alone.
“Pretty much all of our linemen are under-sized,” he said. “But we make up for that in speed. All of us are agile, and that agility will make a positive difference for us.”
Szebalskie played under coach Tim Burchett — who resigned after last season — for his first three years at Knoch. Playing under a new coach for his senior season doesn’t bother him.
“I appreciate what (Coach Wiley) wants me to do and how much he’s relying on me,” Szebalskie said. “I don’t shy away from that at all. I welcome the challenge of being a leader. That’s what seniors should do.
“I hope to be a role model for everyone playing JV, even for other seniors. I want kids to look up to me, to look to me if they need someone to talk to, not just about football, but about anything. I’m a relationship person, and I want to build relationships on this team that will last for years to come.”
Szebalskie believes the Knights can surprise some critics this year.
“Injuries hurt last year, and we only had 20 or so players at the end of the season,” he said. “If we stay healthy and our line jells the way I know it can, we’ll be just fine.
“You always expect to win.”
