JEFFERSON TWP— As Tim McNerney went, so went the Knoch Knights in 2007.

The junior running back rushed for more than 150 yards in nine games last season, all Knights victories.

He rushed for fewer than 50 yards in regular season losses to Montour and Indiana.

McNerney rushed for 296 yards in a first-round playoff win over New Castle, then had 11 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown against Highlands in the first quarter of his team's WPIALquarterfinal playoff game.

Knoch had a 14-0 lead in that game when McNerney was sidelined by a sprained ankle. The Knights went on to win, 28-7.

With its star running back watching from the sidelines, Knoch dropped a 32-6 decision to Montour in the semifinal round.

"It drove Timmy nuts, watching that game,"Knoch coach Mike King said. "He doesn't talk about it much now, but coming within a game of Heinz Field has stayed with him."

McNerney suffered partially torn ligaments in his foot and couldn't risk playing in the semifinal game.

"Had I torn them (ligaments) completely, it would have required surgery and a long time before I could come back,"he said. "Instead, the injury healed on its own and I'm good to go."

Not that McNerney needed any added fuel for motivation in 2008, but he got it.

"Last year was up and down for me," he said. "I can't say I expected to do as well as I did last year, but I always had confidence in my ability.

"The end of the season was a down. The only way to fix it is to get back there."

Senior guard Henry Cypher agreed.

"We were definitely off our game without Timmy,"Cypher said of the semifinal loss. "I don't know if we would have won had he been healthy, but it certainly would have been a different game."

Fullback Kevin Brodeur, who gained 322 yards last year while sharing that position with David Govan, said McNerney is focused only on winning.

"He's probably the most unselfish player on the team,"Brodeur said. "Every minute of practice, he's giving 100 percent. You can't help but want to do the same.

"Having Timmy in the backfield with me is going to open up holes for me. I'm going to do everything I can to help him succeed and I know he'll do everything he can to help me succeed."

McNerney rushed for 1,785 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, including 232 yards against Ringgold in his first varsity start. He had 231 yards against Greensburg Salem the following week.

He piled up impressive numbers against stellar competition, rushing for 190 yards against Pine-Richland, 195 against Franklin Regional and 187 against Highlands.

His 24 touchdowns would easily have won the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy last season had it not been for Mars senior Billy Bair.

Bair scored 204 points to win the award, but he graduated.

McNerney could be the trophy's next recipient. No Knoch player has won the scoring trophy in its 18-year history.

"The idea's been in my head, I have to admit," he said. "One of the coaches told me in July that if I do win it, I have to have the picture taken with the offensive linemen and fullback.

"I have no problem with that, believe me. In fact, I wouldn't have it any other way."

With McNerney healthy theis season, Jake McTighe's move into the starting quarterback position should be smoother.

"Timmy's presence takes a lot of pressure off a young quarterback,"King said. "We shouldn't have to throw the ball a whole lot with the backfield we've got."

As for McNerney, he's not dwelling on the Eagle Trophy or a 2,000-yard season.

"That other stuff's nice, but I want to win a championship," he said. "No. 1 is the number that matters."