Knoch football 2024 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule

August 15, 2024 Last Updated: August 23, 2024 11:19 AM Sports

Knoch football players Wyatt Foster and Kaden Spencer hold up Codi Mullen with Coach Tim Burchett for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football players Codi Mullen, front, and Wyatt Foster, back left, Coach Tim Burchett and Kaden Spencer poses for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football players Wyatt Foster, Codi Mullen and Kaden Spencer pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football player Codi Mullen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football coach Tim Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football coachTim Burchett and Wyatt Foster chat while waiting to be interviewed during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football player Kaden Spencer poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football player Wyatt Foster poses for portrait during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football player Codi Mullen poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football coach Tim Burchett poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football player Kaden Spencer poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch football player Wyatt Foster poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

Knoch Football Player Codi Mullen poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)

THIS IS THE COVER SHOT CHOSENKnoch football players Kaden Spencer, front left, and Codi Mullen, and Colt Sprankle, back left, and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, back left and Wyatt Foster, and Codi Mullen, front left and Colt Sprankle, front right, pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, front left, and Codi Mullen, and Colt Sprankle, back left, and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, back left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster, front, pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen and Colt Sprankle hold Wyatt Foster for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle, Kaden Spencer and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

Knoch football players Wyatt Foster and Kaden Spencer hold up Codi Mullen with Coach Tim Burchett for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football players Wyatt Foster and Kaden Spencer hold up Codi Mullen with Coach Tim Burchett for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football players Codi Mullen, front, and Wyatt Foster, back left, Coach Tim Burchett and Kaden Spencer poses for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football players Wyatt Foster, Codi Mullen and Kaden Spencer pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football player Codi Mullen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football coach Tim Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football coachTim Burchett and Wyatt Foster chat while waiting to be interviewed during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football coach Tim Burchett during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football player Codi Mullen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football player Codi Mullen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football player Codi Mullen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Kaden Spencer poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Kaden Spencer poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Kaden Spencer poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Wyatt Foster poses for portrait during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Codi Mullen poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Codi Mullen poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football coach Tim Burchett poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Kaden Spencer poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch football player Wyatt Foster poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Butler Eagle sports reporter Brendan Howe interviews Knoch football player Codi Mullen during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
Knoch Football Player Codi Mullen poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
THIS IS THE COVER SHOT CHOSENKnoch football players Kaden Spencer, front left, and Codi Mullen, and Colt Sprankle, back left, and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, back left and Wyatt Foster, and Codi Mullen, front left and Colt Sprankle, front right, pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, front left, and Codi Mullen, and Colt Sprankle, back left, and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, back left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster, front, pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, back left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster, front, pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen and Colt Sprankle hold Wyatt Foster for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen and Colt Sprankle hold Wyatt Foster for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle, Kaden Spencer and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen and Colt Sprankle hold Wyatt Foster for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen and Colt Sprankle hold Wyatt Foster for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, Colt Sprankle, Codi Mullen and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)
Knoch football players Kaden Spencer, left, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium on Monday, August 12. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/12/2024)

First, you lose big, then you lose close. Then you win close, and, finally, you win big.

Late Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden described program-building in those four stages. Third-year Knoch coach Tim Burchett echoed the plan at the first Butler Eagle Football Media Day, and his team looks to enter the final phase this fall.

“Last year, we were able to kind of curtail step No. 2 and get to No. 3,” Burchett said of a team that went 8-3 a season ago. “They’ve been through that. They’ve been (through) the 42-0 losses. They’ve been (through) the 14-13 overtime losses for a conference title. Everything in between should be easy.”

Knoch football: What to watch in PA football season 2024

As a former offensive lineman at Trinity High School, Edinboro University and Waynesburg University, Burchett knows just how overlooked the position is.

“Our dinners, our lunches, they eat first,” Burchett said of his road-pavers. “They are put on a pedestal — because they have the most thankless job. They ask for no praise. ... We go as they go.”

“We always get special treatment,” returning starter and senior guard Wyatt Foster said. “He calls us ‘the real skill (players).’”

The Knights’ group graduated Parker Anderson, tabbed by Allegheny 6 Conference coaches as the most valuable offensive lineman in the league last year. You’d think the unit would take a hint, right? Wrong.

Under the tutelage of Aaron Vannatter, who’s worked alongside Burchett for six years, the bunch is highly-praised.

“This year, hopefully, I think could be our best line from top to bottom,” Burchett said.

Tackles Lucas Rouleau, a senior, and junior Zach Szebalskie also step back in as starters. Senior Dylan Pinkerton, formerly a fullback, moves up front to play guard. Sophomore Makai Noah-Born will be the front’s fulcrum, while senior Ben Martin will also have a role.

“That’s a lot of starts, that’s a lot of playing time and that’s a lot of games and snaps in adverse situations,” Burchett said.

Senior receiver Codi Mullen, who’d counted on them for protection at quarterback over the past two seasons, feels that one quality sticks out among the bigger guys.

“We don’t have that 6-foot-5, 300-pound kid (who’s) just going to overtake a whole defense,” Mullen said. “I think they’re going to be faster than the defensive line.”

3 things to know about 2024 Knoch Knights football

Knoch football players Wyatt Foster, back left, and Kaden Spencer, back right, hold up Codi Mullen with coach Tim Burchett, back center, for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

1. Adept at adjustment

During the build-up to this campaign, Burchett and his team have been practicing on a grass field behind their stadium, which is currently being touched up with new pavement and fencing.

Displacement isn’t anything new for this crew, however.

“Two out of three years, I haven’t been able to use our home stadium barely for anything,” Burchett said. “At my previous stop, the head coach didn’t put this in the head coach handbook for me to go through. You have to learn as you go. There’s no, ‘One-size-fits-all, this is what you need to do — A, B to C.’”

Knoch is also jumping up a classification to WPIAL Section 2 Class 4A, a division that also includes nearby Mars and Hampton.

2. Detail-oriented

The Knights’ lost their grip on a conference crown due in large part to a blocked extra point in overtime against East Allegheny late last season. Burchett reminded his guys of that during heat acclimatization practice.

“You have to practice those little details,” the coach said. “You have to put them in really tough situations, almost to where their success is not going to happen — but you have to learn.”

The team understands now how crucial every play is. The setback has stuck in the minds of Knoch’s leaders, who’ve emphasized the nitty-gritty.

“It was heartbreaking to see something so simple — like just an extra point — can cost you a conference title,” senior wideout Kaden Spencer said. “That’s something we’ve been working to improve on. The special teams, especially. Things you think aren’t important or just useless things turn out to be the most important.”

“We just didn’t take the little things serious,” Mullen said. “I think that we, definitely, this year, have been paying more attention to that.”

3. Experienced bunch

Burchett first met his now-senior class when he began teaching at Knoch and the players were a few years out from varsity. He often heard about their gridiron potential. The chance to help mold this year’s crop of seniors played a role in Burchett seeking the job out.

“It’s there,” Burchett said of his core. “The good thing is when you get into camp, you can talk X’s and O’s. You don’t have to really worry about some other things when you have that much experience.”

The offense in particular hopes to benefit. The year before Burchett and his staff arrived, the Knights averaged 10.7 points per game. During his first year in charge, that number bumped up to 16.5, and last year it was 26.3.

Knoch football players (from left) Kaden Spencer, Codi Mullen, Colt Sprankle and Wyatt Foster pose for a group photo outside Knoch High School's football stadium Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Knoch football schedule 2024