SUMMIT TWP — Thirty seven for one.

It's a simple mantra, but one that first-year Summit Academy coach Joe Marak hopes leads the Knights to a big season in 2019.

Things at Summit Academy are not like things at other football programs.

While most high school teams have some turnover every year, the Knights' roster turns over completely from season to season.

Each year is like starting a new program from scratch.

“That's the hard part — bringing 37 kids together who don't know each other or even know who they are and becoming a football team,” Marak said. “That's one of the hardest things to do in the world.”

But Marak believes he is well on the way to accomplishing that goal.

Marak, a 2009 Butler graduate, spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach under Steve Sherer.

Sherer retired after 17 years as the coach.

Marak was the logical choice to take over — his uncle, Jim Marak, started the program in 1998.

Joe Marak thinks the Knights can return to the level of the 2017 team, which made the playoffs and gave powerhouse Clairton a tussle in the WPIAL playoffs before falling.

“You know what was great about that team that I'm trying to teach this one? The chemistry. The care,” Marak said. “They were brothers. We may not know each other, but when we step down into this locker room and our helmets are buckled and we're ready to work, we have each other's backs no matter what. It's always us 37. We have to be the tightest-knit group in the building and on the field.”

Quarterback Camer Warrington-Curry may be the key to bringing that kind of camaraderie to the field.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior not only possesses gifted athletic talent, but he's also shown he's a capable leader, Marak said.

“He demands the respect from everybody on the team,” Marak said. “He leads by example, but he has no problem getting in and yelling at people if need be. If you don't line up right or know what you're doing, he'll say, 'Get him out. Here's a playbook.'”

Warrington-Curry will be a threat to pass or run in Summit Academy's offense this season.

“He is elusive. That's the term. Elusive,” Marak said. “He can do it all. He'll throw the ball. He'll run the ball.”

But Marak would like the offense to be 70-30 in favor of the run. That means players like running back Tyrese Dugan and fullback Jamec Kizzie will be even more important in Marak's attack.

“In high school football, if you can run the football, you'll win football games,” Marak said.

“I am excited about our ability to throw the ball, but if we can run the ball, we won't stop running it.”

Paul Hines will be the primary target for Warrington-Curry in the passing game. So will Raymond Poellnitz-Cutler, who has shown the ability to make acrobatic catches that would make Odell Beckham Jr. envious.

“He made one of the smoothest one-handed grabs I've ever seen in practice,” Marak said. “He's coming into his own. He's excelling every single day.”

Marak is also excited about the size he has up front. That should allow Summit Academy to do different things on defense and free up its athletic linebackers and defensive backs to make plays.

Marak also realizes the tough road the Knights always face each year, especially in a section that is stacked.

“As long as these kids come out each day and work hard, they can accomplish anything,” Marak said. “It doesn't matter who you're playing, whether you're the best or the worst, you have to come out each day and work hard the same way.”