JEFFERSON TWP — Returning one of the top running backs in Butler County is reason enough for Knoch coach Mike King to be excited.

It's who's coming back with him that has King particularly optimistic.

Tim McNerney rushed for 1,785 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior for the Knights last season.

"As somebody who's going to make offensive play calls, I have to keep that in mind,"King said of the temptation to lean on McNerney too much. "But we've got plenty of tools here to put together a versatile offense."

Any offense starts up front and Knoch returns three starters from an offensive line that led the team to a 9-3 record and berth in the WPIALClass AAAsemifinals last season.

Bob Yenick is moving from guard to center this year while Henry Cypher and Tim McCorkle return at guard and center, respectively. Fullback Kevin Brodeur (63 carries, 322 yards, 3 TDs) and receiver Michael Gallagher (19 catches, 283 yards) are other returning offensive starters.

Gallagher has a nagging hip problem and has been sidelined for most of summer camp.

"It's a concern because it hasn't been getting any better,"King said. "Michael is an exceptional two-way starter for us.

"Patience is the key here. Michael's a competitor and he wants to play, but we're five weeks away from our first league game and we're not going to rush this."

He's also the only veteran pass-catcher on the squad, as Kyle Reiser (28 catches, 532 yards, 8 TDs) is now at Edinboro University and tight end Rob Briggs (19, 216, 3) also has graduated.

Last year's quarterback, Zach Gross, is at Grove City College. Jake McTighe, a junior, who did not throw a pass in a varsity game last season, replaces Gross.

"Jake is a big, durable kid who's not afraid to run with the ball,"King said. "Defenses will have to respect him as a running threat, and he's got a strong arm.

"Robert Zanella is another skilled kid who is going to see time on this offense, either at fullback or tight end. I see him making an impact."

McTighe started at cornerback for the Knights as a sophomore.

"Jake's got some size and he knows our offense,"Brodeur said. "He played varsity basketball as a freshman and started on defense for us last year, so he knows this level of competition.

"He's got a lot of confidence in himself and we have confidence in him."

Senior Shane Donnelly will take over the other guard spot with 6-foot-8, 260-pound Micah, Lio manning the other tackle position. Preston Saxon, a senior, will be at tight end.

Brandon Flick and Mitchell Shaw are other receivers who will see action.

King said his goal is to build depth in the offensive line to the point of having three starting tackles, three starting guards and two starting centers.

"We're very close to being at that point," he said.

The Knoch defense will play a multiple 50 with five starters returning, including the secondary of corners Flick and McTighe, along with safety Gallagher.

Cypher is back at nose guard and Brodeur is a returning linebacker.

"We know how close we came last year," Cypher said, referring to the Knights reaching the WPIALfinals at Heinz Field. "We've got a good combination of returners and first-year starters who can help us make another run."

McCorkle and Yenick will play tackle on defense while Robert Zanella and Corey Pytel will be the ends.

Saxon joins Brodeur at linebacker.

Kevin Wood returns as Knoch's kicker, while McTighe will handle the punting chores.

Pine-Richland is gone from the Allegheny Conference, having bumped up to Class AAAA, but rival Mars has joined the league.

"We were fortunate enough to wind up winning the league last year when no one was picking us to do that,"King said. "Now, we're expected to win, but it's a long road ahead."