WASHINGTON, Pa. — Kraig King remembers playing football at Heinz Field well.

So does his father, who was his head coach.

Now the former Knoch lineman and head coach have their eyes on a bigger prize — the NCAA Division III national championship.

Kraig was a sophomore on the 2011 Knoch team that reached the WPIAL Class AAA title game at Heinz. Now a college senior, he serves as the long snapper for Washington & Jefferson. His father, Mike King, is no longer his coach — just his biggest fan.

“I can't tell you how much fun this has been,” said Mike King, who resigned as Knoch head coach following the 2016 season. “This is the first year I've been able to be every quarter of every one of Kraig's games at W&J.

“We used to go over films on Saturday mornings at the high school before I could leave for his games. I'd get there late first quarter or in the second quarter ... Now we're tailgating before games, hanging out with and becoming friends with parents of other players. The experience has been fantastic.”

The Presidents' play on the field hasn't been too bad, either.

W&J is 10-0 on the season and hosts Johns Hopkins in the first round of the Division III playoffs Saturday.

“It's been cool sharing this with him,” Kraig King said of his father. “All the way back to when we scrimmaged Munt Union before the season started ... I called him and he told me he was gonna be there for the whole thing.

“That was never able to happen before. Now he comes down, hangs out with my best friends' parents ... It's been tremendous.”

Mike King was involved in coaching for 29 years, including a couple of seasons on the Washington & Jefferson staff. He is just a small part of the Knoch connection with W&J football.

Two other Knoch graduates — Cody Milsom and Cory Godlewski — are on the Presidents' roster. Milsom has seen action at strong safety and on special teams.

Another former Knight, Matt Jaworski, came to W&J, but has been unable to play due to injury.

Tim McNerney and A.J. Pagano were other Knoch graduates to enjoy gridiron success at W&J.

“It's been quite a pipeline for us,” Presidents' head coach Mike Sirianni said. “The way Tim (McNerney) tragically died and the outstanding career he had with us, he will always be a legend here.

“Kraig plays such a vital role on this team. Any special teams play can turn a football game. Every one of Kraig's snaps have been true. Every kick we make begins with him.”

Included among the Presidents' wins this season are a 37-27 triumph over St. John Fisher, 37-29 over Thomas More and 34-33 over Westminster.

“Especially that one-point win over Westminster, every snap, every point was vital,” Mike King said. “Kraig has contributed, that's for sure.

“I remember when Kraig was a ball boy at Knoch, how he looked uyp to Tiom McNerney. He idolized that kid. He is so proud to be going to the same school.”

Kraig King also likes being teammates with Milsom, one of his neighbors and childhood friends.

“I could walk to his house in 30 seconds, we lived so close,” he said. “We're best friends and we're still playing football together after all this time.'

Sirianni said he sees Coach King after every game and “I admire that entire family.

“They've raised their kids right and the great relationship we have with Knoch has a lot to do with them.”

Kraig King is confident as his team enters the postseason.

“I think we've got a real shot at this thing,” he said.

His father is just grateful he's still watching football.

“I love this game so much,” Mike King said. “Being able to watch Division III games, home and away, all year has been a privilege. These kids are out here playing because they love football, too.

“My wife put up with me through 29 years of coaching. It was time for me to make up for some of that. My youngest daughter (Klaudia) is a freshman at the College of Charleston (S.C.) and we can visit her when time permits. And being able to watch Kraig's final season ... It (leaving coaching) was well-timed.”