Knoch to feature similar schemes under new head coach Mowry

By: George Guido
Saturday, August 17, 2019 | 11:10 AM

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Those attending Knoch football games might not be aware a coaching change was made in the offseason.

The offensive and defensive schemes will stay basically the same. New coach Brandon Mowry replaced Frank Whalen, but most of the assistants were retained.

Even the school’s single-season rushing record-holder, Matt Goodlin, is back.

About the only change might be the new Knoch helmet insignia with the sideview of a knight’s headgear with the closed face guard.

“We’re staying with the same offense, the triple-option, and the stack 3-3 defense that coach Whalen used,” said Mowry, who was hired in January.

“It was a no-brainer to go back to that. By the end of the season, we were playing our best football.”

Indeed, after an 0-3 start, the Knights won their last three. But the final two were nonconference games against Trinity and Freeport. A 24-21 victory in the Northwest 8 finale at New Castle wasn’t enough as Knoch lost out on a WPIAL playoff berth on tiebreaker points.

“New Castle made it even though we beat them,” Mowry said. “This year, we have to find early rhythm. We’ve got some high expectations to put it all together.”

Knoch was 3-4 in conference play, 5-5 overall.

One reason for high expectations is return of Goodlin, who ran for a school-record 1,461 yards last season.

Helping pave the way for Goodlin will be guard Cole Lassinger (6-4, 285).

Vying for the starting quarterback position will be senior returnee Kam Grassi, who is sharing time in camp with junior Keith Washington.

Passing targets will be two athletes known for basketball: Scott Fraser and Jared Schrecengost.

“They’re both leapers who can catch the ball and run,” Mowry said.

A strength of Knoch’s defense will be the linebacking corps led by senior Jim Johnson, Maison Felix and Joey Wojchiekowski. Felix led the Knights in tackles last season with 70.

Mowry graduated from Knoch in 2002 after a career as a two-way lineman. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant while attending Slippery Rock.

Mowry was the offensive line coach last season under Whalen, who left the post because of added work responsibilities. He is just the eighth coach in the 64 seasons of Knoch football.

Mowry’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator will be Matt Savannah, who has been with the program for more than a dozen years. Doug Kamer will guide the linemen, along with Mike Crouch, who also will be special teams coordinator. Tony Andreassi will be in charge of the wide receivers and the secondary. John Johnson will serve as quality control coach. Also, former head coach Mike King was added to the staff.

Mowry received somewhat of a gift from the schedule-maker, starting his head coaching days with three consecutive home games. Long-time rival Hampton will visit Knoch for a Week Zero game before conference play begins against Blackhawk and Beaver.

The top four teams from the conference will make the playoffs. Knoch last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2014, losing to West Allegheny.

Schedule

Coach: Brandon Mowry

2018 record: 5-5, 3-4

All-time record: 297-298-13

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23, Hampton, 7

8.30, Blackhawk*, 7

9.6, Beaver*, 7

9.13, at Highlands*, 7

9.20, at Ambridge*, 7

9.27, Montour*, 7

10.4, at South Fayette*, 7

10.11, New Castle*, 7

10.18, at Trinity, 7

10.25, at Freeport, 7

*Class 4A Northwest 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Chase Mullen*

50-97, 790 yards, 3TDs

Receiving: Jared Schrecengost

12-233 yards

Rushing: Matt Goodlin

192-1,461 yards, 15TDs

*Graduated

Knoch roster

No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.

3, Scott Fraser, WR/FS, 6-4/192, Sr.

4, Keith Washington, QB/CB, 5-10/155, Jr.

5, Matt Goodlin, RB/LB, 5-10/185, Sr.

9, Keagan Fraser, RB/FS, 5-11/175, So.

10, Brady McKee, WR/OLB, 6-2/215, Sr.

11, Justin Tristanl, K, 5-11/165, Sr.

12, Kam Grassi, QB/CB, 5-11/160, Sr.

13, JJ Szebalskie, RB/OLB, 5-10/160, So.

15, Jared Schrecengost, WR/CB, 6-2/185, Sr.

19, Christian Boehler, QB/CB, 5-11/150, Fr.

20, James Johnston, RB/OLB, 5-11/175, Sr.

21, Adam Stobert, RB/OLB, 5-11/175, Sr.

30, Zane Inklovich, RB/OLB, 5-10/150, Jr.

32, Tyler Buterbaugh, WR/MLB, 6-2/185, Jr.

33, Brayden Schroeder, WR/CB, 5-10/165, Fr.

42, Nathan Hollenbaugh, WR/CB, 6-1/170, So.

44, Gavin McGowan, RB/MLB, 5-10/165, So.

50, Logan Harrison, OT/MLB, 5-10/195, Jr.

51, Nicholas Davis, OG/DE, 5-9/195, Fr.

52, Dustin Schlagel, OG/NG, 5-10/240, Jr.

53, Hunter Roenigk, OT/DE, 5-11/225, Jr.

54, Braden Tristani, OT/DE, 5-11/195, Sr.

55, Clark Fraser, OT/DE, 6-1/210, Sr.

56, Luke Goodlin, OG/DE, 5-10/160, So.

57, Matthew Carney, OT/MLB, 5-10/175, Fr.

58, Nathan Anthony, OG/DE, 5-10/160, Fr.

59, Eli Reese, OG/DE, 6-3/260, Jr.

61, Maison Frank, C/MLB, 5-11/185, Sr.

62, Logan Klemm, OT/DE, 6-3/260, So.

63, Dalton Reed, OT/NG, 6-1/235, Jr.

65, Michael Venesky, OT/DE, 5-11/225, So.

70, Alex Cotton, OG/DE, 6-1/210, So.

71, Gage Steighner, OG/DE, 5-10/155, Fr.

72, Carter Scully, OG/DE, 5-11/185, So.

74, Nevin Peart, OT/DE, 5-11/205, So.

77, Cole Lassinger, OG/DE, 6-4/280, Sr.

78, Tyler Conley, OT/DE, 5-10/195, So.

80, Logan Hooks, WR/CB, 5-10/155, Fr.

81, Earnie Zilka, WR/DE, 5-11/185, Sr.

82, Joey Wojciechowski, WR/CB, 6-0/165, Sr.

83, Owen Huff, WR/CB, 5-10/160, So.

84, Deven Whitacre, WR/CB, 5-11/160, So.

85, Kyle Lauster, RB/OLB, 5-10/175, Jr.

87, Jake Murphy, WR/MLB, 5-11/170, Fr.

88, Chris Young, WR/DE, 6-1/190, Sr.

Tags: Knoch