JEFFERSON TWP — When it comes to Knoch football in 2020, one goal and one goal only matters.

“Playoffs,” senior quarterback JJ Szebalskie said. “That's it. That's all I care about.”

The Knights are coming off a 6-4 season, the third straight year they narrowly missed out on WPIAL postseason play.

Knoch returns six offensive starters and five on defense as it attempts to break through this fall. The Knights will be doing so with some different competition.

Mars, Armstrong, Indiana and Greensburg Salem are on the 2020 slate. Knoch plays Hampton again as well.

“It's almost like we're returning to the old Allegheny Conference, back when I played,” head coach Brandon Mowry said.

Szebalskie, a junior, slides into the quarterback position of the team's triple-option attack after playing the A-back role the previous year, just like Knoch quarterbacks Kam Grassi and Chase Mullen did before him.

“That's the natural progression now,” Szebalskie said. “You get to know the offense, then you run it.”

Joining him as returning offensive starters are junior running back Keagan Fraser, senior slotback Tyler Buterbaugh, senior tackles Hunter Roenigk and Dalton Reed, and senior guard Eli Reese.

Another senior, Dustin Schlagel, figures to start at center while junior Alex Cotton will be the other guard.

“We've got a veteran line and that's gonna help us,” Mowry said. “Keagan will likely be our feature back, but we have other options as well.”

Zane Inklovich and Caleb Miller could get some carries. Sophomore Jake Murphy and freshman Exzavier Johnson are the leading candidates at receiver. Murphy could play some tight end as well.

“I think JJ will be an effective quarterback for us,” Mowry said. “Like every year, with this offense, the quarterback makes the quick read. He's known the reads from last year, so this will be a smooth transition.

“Our philosophy on offense is to run for first downs, throw for touchdowns. We want to control the game when we have the ball.”

Szebalskie likes the talent in the backfield.

“We should be able to do a lot of things,” he said.

Defensively, the Knights will play a 35 Stack. Buterbaugh is back at middle linebacker, Roenigk and Reese at end, Reed at noseguard and Murphy at linebacker.

Robert Morris University has offered Buterbaugh an oppoprtunity to join its program. He had 80 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks last year, leading the team in both categories.

“I wanmt to exceed both of thohse numbers this year,” Buterbaugh said.

He believes Knoch's defense is in position to be dominant.

“We've got more size and we're more muscular,” he said. “We're capable of making impact plays that can turn games in our favor.”

Cotton and Schlagel will see time on the defensive line. Other linebackers include Luke Goodlin, Nevin Peart, Gavin McGowan and Matt Carney.

Inklovich and Johnson will contribute in the secondary.

“We're excited about what we've got on both sides of the ball,” Mowry said. “We've got a chance to control the line of scrimmage on both sides with the experience that's there.

“Get off to a good start and improve every week. That's the key.”

Inklovich, a senior, was an all-conference punter last season and will handle those chores again. Brendan Tristani, a junior, will handle the place-kicking.