JEFFERSON TWP — Making the WPIAL playoffs is not a right.

Knoch plans to take ownership of it anyway after being left out of the postseason with a 4-5 record last season.

“This team made the playoffs three years in a row and last year, we missed,” senior center/linebacker Matt Jaworski said. “It shouldn't happen like that.”

With at least 10 part-time starters returning on offense and nine on defense, the Knights have plenty of weapons to do something about it.

Add to that an impressive sophomore class and competition for playing time in camp has been hot and heavy.

“That's very healthy for a football team,” 17-year head coach Mike King said. “It's an ideal situation to be in.”

King listed 6-foot-4 receiver Mac Christy, fullback/linebacker Jordan Geist, two-way lineman Mark Kroneberg and guard Zach Curry as four sophomores who could make an immediate impact on the team.

The Knights should be extremely versatile offensively. Dan Farinelli returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,175 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Cody Milsom is back at running back, having toted the ball 203 times for 854 yards and nine touchdowns in 2013.

“Dan is settled in here now and he played his best football in the last few games of last season,” King said. “It's a tremendous advantage in high school football any time you have an experienced quarterback.

“There's no way for a running back to prepare for what it takes to carry the ball for four quarters at this level until you actually go through it. Cody proved he can handle the load.”

“I know what to expect now,” Milsom admitted. “When you look at our personnel, our running game should be punishing.”

Milsom will be relieved of some of his load by Ben Lowery, who rushed for 291 yards on 65 carries last year.

“Ben is very capable, too, and with Cody starting on defense, we're going to need to rest him here and there,” King said.

Cory Godlewski is a returning fullback for Knoch. Brennan McTighe is back at tight end. Asa Adams, Cole Shinsky and Troy Hixson return at receiver.

The only part of the offense the Knights are inexperienced is up front, where only Jaworski and senior right guard Josh Hood return.

“I'm not worried about that at all,” Milsom said. “Those guys have been working well together. They're all solid, hard-working linemen and they'll get the job done.”

Ty Gornick is at right tackle, JJ Curry at left tackle and Mark Beacom is at left guard.

“It's settling into place,” Jaworski said of the line. “It's going to be fun. We have a quick offensive line and we'll be pulling a lot. We won't just be doing stationary blocking.”

Defensively, Knoch will run a 33 stack formation. Milsom, Godlewski, McTighe and Jaworski all return at linebacker. JJ Curry and Gornick are ends who started last year while nose tackle Sam Whalen and defensive backs Adams and Lowery also return.

“We've got experience all over the place on that side of the ball,” King said.

Logan Tupper returns at placekicker. He connected on all three of his field goal attempts last year, the longest from 30 yards out.

Gateway joins the Greater Allegheny Conference this season. The league already includes Franklin Regional, Mars and Hampton.

“We've been a proud member of this conference for a long time,” King said. “I love the way kids play football in this league.

“Everyone has tough, hard-nosed kids. As coaches, we have to have our kids prepared for that physicality each week.”

Regardless of the competition, Knoch has its goals set high.

“We want to compete for the section championship,” King said. “We're capable of that.”