After challenging 2025 season, Knoch QB Max Wiley ready for redemption and to ‘make some noise’
As much as he may like to, Knoch quarterback Max Wiley knows he can't have a re-do on the 2025 season.
The team's 0-10 record and Wiley's no touchdowns and five interceptions during his junior campaign are in the books to stay.
He is instead focused on what lies ahead — a 2026 season that gives him and the Knights a chance to write a new chapter, one that includes success and with it, redemption.
Wiley moved into the district last summer after his father, TJ Wiley, was approved to take over as Knoch's head football coach.
“When I first found out that we'd be living here, I was excited. It was a change,” Max said. “You never expect the worst going into a season, and I thought that we'd be alright.”
Knoch scored just 66 points in 10 games.
“Once the season started and I saw what was going on, I thought 'OK, this isn't our year.' We had a buzzsaw of a schedule. You hear the stories about all these good teams that you'll be playing, and you're just like, 'Whatever,' until you actually play them and find out that they're legit. Our (multiple) offense was new to the rest of the team. We just made a lot of fundamental mistakes.”
Max Wiley's season ended when he suffered a lacerated kidney in the final game of the year against McKeesport. It was a painful conclusion to a frustrating few months.
“Last year, he was new to the area, new to the school and new to Knoch football,” TJ Wiley said. “He now feels like he's part of Knoch and he's been accepted.”
A productive summer has given the offense confidence as the first game of the season — Aug. 28 against Summit Academy — draws near.
In nine 7-on-7 scrimmages held at Fox Chapel High School, Wiley threw 30 touchdown passes and no interceptions.
“If nothing was there on a given play, he just threw the ball away,” TJ said. “He had a great offseason. He’s a vocal leader, loud and intense.”
Skill players around Max will include running back Ethan Rouleau, H-back Carter Beres, slot receiver Roman DeFelice and wide receiver Evan Fink. The quartet combined to gain 838 yards of offense in 2025, a total that is sure to improve now that the offense as a whole has a better understanding of the scheme.
Wiley, who passed for 735 yards last year, will once again be an option in the ground attack after rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns.
“I never lost my enthusiasm for football. I love the game and always have,” Max said. “Not winning a game is not fun, but it just made my excitement for this season so much more because I think we can make some noise, I really do.”
