McKnight moves to tailback to bolster New Castle running game

By: James Dotson
Saturday, August 17, 2019 | 11:10 AM

Most high school coaches would be excited to have a first-team all-conference quarterback returning behind center.

Joe Cowart is no different, although the New Castle coach’s excitement is with his signal-caller moving to a new position on the field.

Demetris McKnight, who started the final seven games last season at quarterback, will move to running back for his senior year. McKnight, who has clocked a 4.3 40-yard dash, rushed for 724 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

“(McKnight) is just an explosive athlete,” said Cowart, an eighth-year coach. “Any way that we can get him the ball is beneficial to us offensively. We’ll certainly run through him and our offensive line.”

The offensive line returns almost fully intact from a year ago. Rocco Robinson shifts over to center for his senior year. Senior tackles Bernie Fabian and Antonio Ryan return to starting lineup, as does junior guard Logan Gibson. Fellow junior guard Lucas Prowell joins in the trenches for the ‘Canes.

“We like to run the ball. We like to try to get down hill and establish the line of scrimmage,” Cowart said. “But we think, to take that next level, being able to win playoff games and win our conference, that we need the ability to threaten people in the air.”

That threat will come from sophomore Mike Wells, who will take over the quarterback duties. His arm, plus the number of weapons on the outside, should lead to a more open offense for a New Castle team that put up just over 600 yards and only two touchdowns through the air a year ago.

Jason Williams, Donny Cade and Donovan Crockett will be the main targets for Wells on the perimeter. Jaylan Cox and Julian Klingensmith also will provide targets from the tight end position.

Defensively, six starters return, bolstered by Gibson and Klingensmith at linebacker and Cox and Robinson on the line. Cowart expects a big year from junior safety Malachi Sherman, as well, and is hoping for the defense can force turnovers with their strength in the trenches and speed in the secondary.

“We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball on offense,” Cowart said, “and we didn’t turn it over enough on defense. In high school football, if you can turn people over, shorten your field offensively, it’s really beneficial to you. And if you can take care of the ball, make people earn it on the other side, end every series with a kick, that’s the way to do it.”

New Castle has made the postseason in six straight seasons under Cowart, but has only two playoff victories during that time, both during their 2016 campaign. The ‘Canes look to continue that playoff streak with a successful year in the Northwest Eight, but according to Cowart, getting wins in the postseason starts with the first week of the year.

“Every week is a challenge. We take every week really seriously,” Cowart said. “We have been able to find our way into the playoffs and compete. We think we are a competitive unit here, and we want to keep that going and have some more success in the postseason.

“That’s certainly one of our goals to get to the postseason and certainly make noise if we are lucky enough to get there.”

Schedule

Coach: Joe Cowart

2018 record: 5-6, 3-4

All-time record: 739-405-69

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23, at Shaler, 7

8.30, Montour*, 7

9.6, at South Fayette*, 7

9.13, Beaver*, 7

9.20, West Mifflin, 7

9.27, at South Park, 7

10.4, Blackhawk*, 7

10.11, at Knoch*, 7

10.18, at Highlands*, 7

10.25, Ambridge*, 7

*Class 4A Northwest 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Demetris McKnight

29-69, 432 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: Josh Thomason*

129-734 yards, 6 TDs

Receiving: Josh Thomason*

9-112 yards

*Graduated

Tags: New Castle