JEFFERSON TWP — A year ago, Knoch was 0-5 and headed nowhere.

How times have changed.

The Knights won three of their final four games in 2009, reached the WPIAL playoffs and gave heavily favored West Allegheny all it wanted before succumbing to a 31-17 defeat.

"We were right with those guys for three quarters," Knoch coach Mike King said. "I do believe momentum can carry over to the next season.

"Our kids recognize they were building something last year and most of them are back to continue that process," he added.

The Knights return nine offensive players who were at least part-time starters. Six starters are back on defense.

Running back-linebacker Adam Tuzikow is a returning starter on both units.

"We want to win the conference this year and finish strong doing it," Tuzikow said. "A lot of our players have the mentality to put together a big season."

This year's seniors were freshmen when the Knights went to the WPIAL semifinals in 2007.

"We slipped a bit the past two years. Now our senior class wants a year like that (2007) class had," Tuzikow said.

Among the returnees on offense is junior quarterback Ky Kenyon, who threw for 532 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 312 yards and three TDs after becoming the starter three games into the 2009 season.

"I've always believed it takes a year for a high school quarterback to settle into that role," King said. "We can do more things with Ky this year.

"We're looking forward to being more balanced and throwing the ball a little more," he added. "Dakota Bruggeman is our other quarterback and both of those guys worked extremely hard all summer honing their skills."

They should have no problems running it, either. Tuzikow rushed for 527 yards and six TDs while Andrew Rumberg-Goodlin added 338 yards and two scores on the ground.

Adam Seger (8 catches, 111 yards) returns as the Knights' leading receiver.

"Mac Megahan will complement Adam well at receiver. We'll have two nice threats there," King said.

Up front, Mason Roberts, James Zellhart and Joe Hlebiczki return at tackle, Josh Graham at guard. Ben Lezniak and Luke Cambell will be the centers.

"Knoch has a tradition of running the football and we still want to do that," Seger said. "But we should be able to mix in the pass a lot more."

The Knights' 44 defense returns starters in Bob Winters at end, Adam and Andy Tuzikow at linebacker, and Seger and Rumberg-Goodlin at corner and Megahan at safety.

Zellhart will be another end and Hlebiczki, Lezniak and Sean Wasko will work at tackle. Dan McCormick and Cambell are other linebackers.

"We're tough and physical on defense," Seger said. "We should be able to hold teams down on the scoreboard."

With kicker Kevin Wood graduated, younger brother Cory Wood steps in to replace him. The punting job was up for grabs entering scrimmages.

"I'm very excited about this season," King said. "I like being around football players who are hungry and these guys are. It's a hard-working group of good kids and there haven't been any little things to distract them during camp."