Swan Photography

Almost all of the Fall Sports teams are making it to the playoffs this year! These athletes have been working extremely hard in both the pre and post season to deliver the best of their ability. For some, it was their first time in the playoffs while others are recurring competitors for the WPIAL title. 

Football 

Football has done extraordinarily well this year compared to last year. The team’s record last year was 1-9. This year the Knoch Football team is coasting through the section games with a current record of 8-2. Their only losses were to Elizabeth Forward, who is third in class 3A and East Allegheny is ranked 4th. 

“Everyone showed up in the summer and we are all in to win,” quarterback Codi Mullen said. “Winning is way more fun than losing.” 

Obviously, Mullen doesn’t take all of the credit for this year’s success.

“I love my line, wide receivers, and my running backs,” said Mullen. “We also have new coaching staff this year who are pretty good coaches.” 

Girls Soccer 

Girls Soccer has been kicking it this season. Their current record is 8-6-2 and they finished 4th in their section. They are also currently seated at 12th in the WPIAL with their next game against South Park for the first round of WPIAL. Last year, they finished with a record of 10-1-1 and got first in their section. 

Captain Macrina Robb loves playing soccer because of the team. 

“I am most excited to finish out my last year with some of my closest friends,” said Robb. “I think the team’s chemistry has helped us get to this point.” 

With a win this year in the game against Freeport, the team would have been second in the section. 

“Freeport is our biggest competitor,” said Robb. They lost to them 1-0 in overtime. 

Robb points out a lot of the team’s success is due to the other players. 

“This year younger players have stepped into the roles that were left vacant by our seniors,” said Robb. Last year the team had five seniors who were all starting varsity. 

Volleyball

Volleyball continues to show off their incredible team chemistry. Their section record is currently 8-4. Last year they finished 4th in the section and won their preliminary play-off game. Their last game last year was sadly the first round of playoffs losing to Hampton. 

Captain Brynne Smith is very proud of how the team is playing this year.

“I really enjoy seeing the improvements that all the younger girls make everyday and am looking forward to what we can accomplish overall,” said Smith. 

There aren’t just a few players that can be credited for the success that they are having. 

“Every single girl there is a key player,” said Smith. “If you step foot on the court in a game or practice and you give it your all, you’re a key aspect of our success.” 

Girls Tennis 

Girls Tennis has continued to make a name for themselves. Not only did they win their section 6-0 this year but also won 7-0 last year. The tennis team has already secured the WPIAL Championship title with a win on 10/18/23 against Sewickley Academy. Their next step is States which will continue at Hershey Racket Club. 

Most members on the team started playing at an early age.

“Many hours and years of training has helped me get to where I am now,” said captain Emily Greb. 

The team has made it to states for the past three years. 

“I am most looking forward to getting the chance to go to states as a team again,” said Greb. “I think we will do well. We will definitely have some hard competition.” 

This team doesn’t just have one person pushing them through to the States Championship.

 “Every player has added and helped our team,” said Greb. “Everyone has made an impact.”

Boys Soccer 

The Boys Soccer team is having a good season with five seniors this year. Their record is currently 10-6 with an overall record of 10-9. They had a great game against Shady Side Academy with a score of 2-1, winning in double overtime with 57 seconds left and securing them a good seat in the playoffs. 

“I think we’ll get to the playoffs,” says one of the team’s key players, Kannon Trofimuk. “We have the team to make it far this year.”

As the season progressed, the mindset changed for the team. 

“The attitude changed this year,” said Trofimuk. “We seemed to believe that we could make it somewhere this year and we did.” 

The team is looking forward to hosting their first home playoff game in six years. 

Good luck to all the sports teams as they continue their season in the playoffs.