Back to Basics
JEFFERSON TWP — A winless season stings any time.
How a team responds to such a year determines how quickly that pain is alleviated.
“We're looking at this year as a fresh start,” third-year Knoch head coach Brandon Mowry said. “The slate is wiped clean. Basically, we're starting over.”
The Knights are coming off an 0-7 season, scoring no more than 13 points in any one game.The triple-option attack Knoch had run over the past few years is gone. Mowry is switching to a more basic attack.“We're going to run a version of the Wing-T,” the coach said. “We've got some playmakers in Keagan Fraser, Exzavier Johnson, Jake Murphy ... we have to find ways to get the ball to those people.”Knoch has eight starters returning offensively, six defensively. Quarterback JJ Szebalskie returns for his senior year at quarterback.He is not sorry to see the triple-option disappear.“I thought we became too predictable with it,” Szebalskie said. “Our plays were running to the same side most of the time.“We can do more things out of this new offense. I think our execution will be better, too.”Joining Szebalskie as returning starters offensively are running backs Luke Goodlin, Keagan Fraser and Gavin McGowan, receiver Johnson, tight end Murphy, guards Alex Cotton and Nevin Peart.First-year starters up front will be Nicholas Davis and Logan Klemm at tackle, Matthew Carney at center.Johnson will play more of a wingback position this season. Stepping in at wide receiver are Dalton Schrecengost, Devin Whitacre and Brayden Schroeder.A newcomer to the roster who may make an impact this season is junior Carson Kosecki, who could see time at quarterback or running back.“Carson is a transfer from North Catholic and he's a versatile athlete,” Mowry said. “He's going to get on the field for us.”The six returning starters defensively for Knoch are Fraser at safety, Szebalskie and Johnson at cornerback, McGowan, Peart and Murphy at linebacker. Johnson is being moved to linebacker.Other probable starters include Goodlin at nose guard, Davis at tackle, Carney at middle linebacker, Klemm and Cotton at defensive end. Kosecki is a potential corner on defense.“We're strong on defense,” Szebalskie said. “I think we'll cover people and our linebackers are athletic, physical players.”Brendan Tristani, a senior, returns to handle the kicking duties.Fraser said the key to the Knights' success this year will be “playing together and staying together.“We want to win some games. That's everybody's goal,” he said.Mowry sees this season as a step-by-step process.“Offensively, we need to limit mistakes,” he said. “We turned the ball over too many times last year, killing drives or putting our defense in a tough position.“We need to get back to basics. Control the football. Grind out first downs. Control games that way.”Fraser downplayed the ball possession element.“Most of us will be playing both ways, so we'll be on the field regardless,” he said. “But, yeah, we want to wear down the other team.”Knoch has not been to the WPIAL playoffs since 2014.“That's been too long for us,” Mowry said. “This program is better than that. But we can't get ahead of ourselves.“It all starts on the practice field. Then we want to get back in the win column, then go for the playoffs.“It's been 10 years since Knoch played (in the WPIAL championship game) at Heinz Field. Our ultimate goal remains getting back there,” Mowry added.KNOCH2021 ScheduleAug. 27-CENTRAL VALLEY, 7 p.m.Sept. 3-FREEPORT, 7 p.m.; Sept. 10-at Deer Lakes, 7 p.m.; Sept. 17-GREENSBURG SALEM, 7 p.m.; Sept. 24-at Armstrong, 7 p.m.Oct. 1-INDIANA, 7 p.m.; Oct. 8-at Mars, 7 p.m.; Oct. 15-at Plum, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22-HAMPTON, 7 p.m.; Oct. 29-at Highlands, 7 p.m.2020 results (0-7)Highlands 7-39, Greensburg Salem 12-13, Armstrong 7-34, Indiana 6-29, Mars 13-48, Plum 7-35, Hampton 0-49
