This is one in a series of articles previewing Butler County high school football matchups this weekend.JEFFERSON TWP — Familiarity can play a factor.That may be the case on both sides of the football Friday night when Knoch hosts Highlands in a mutual season opener.Kickoff is at 7 p.m.The Knights have veteran starters on the offensive and defensive fronts, along with linebacker. The Golden Rams return productive starters at quarterback, running back and receiver.The coaches know each other as well.“I coached at Knoch under Mike (King) from 2012-16,” Highlands coach Dom Girardi said. “I have a lot of respect for the kids who come through that school. They are hard-nosed, physical kids.“Football is a physical game and you love to play physical people.”Knoch has not been kind to the Golden Rams of late. While the Knights hold a slim 19-16 edge in the all-time series between the teams, Knioch has won nine of the last 10 meetings, including a 24-0 decision last year.Knoch is coming off a 6-4 season while Highlands was 2-8 in 2019.The Knights have a new quarterback in JJ Szebalskie and featured back in Keagan Fraser.“Keagan broke off some nice runs in our scrimmage (against Freeport),” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry said. “Eli Reese had a strong game at left guard.“Our defensive line and linebackers are who we're counting on as leaders in the early going. (Linebackers) Tyler Buterbaugh and Jake Murphy are outstanding. Dalton Reed, Hunter Roenigk, Eli ... those are veteran guys up front.”While Knoch has a lot of fresh faces at the sklilled positions, Highlands sophomore quarterback Chandler Thimons threw for 1,363 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman last year.Brock White ran for 809 yards and four TDs while D.J. Loveland pulled in 23 passes for 348 yards and four scores.“White is the key to their running game,” Mowry said. “He makes nice cuts, plants his foot in the dirt and he's gone.”Mowry ackowledged that his team will have plenty of juniors and seniors on the field, “many of them are not accustomed to the Friday night lights and what that experience entails yet.“That's why we're counting on the guys we have out there who are accustomed to what that's like.”Highlands returns eight starters on offense and seven on defense.“That's a nice number for high school football,” Girardi said. “Work ethic and continuity, we have that going for us.“The big thing for our guys is confidence, believing we can get it done.”Girardi and Mowry are both happy to be playing more teams north of Pittsburgh.“Without a doubt, that's exciting for both of us,” Girardi said. “We're not traveling south of Pittsburgh to play.“A month ago, none of us knew what was going to happen. We're happy to be playing football at all.”Mowry isn't underestimating the Knights' first opponent at all.“They can throw it, they can run it,” the Knoch coach said. “We're in for a big test this first week.”

The Eagle sports staff's third season of Upon Further Review, a weekly show discussing Butler County area high school football, will be available this week on the Butler Eagle Sports Facebook page.