TriStateFootball.com

The King of Kings

Football coaches can teach mechanics, but one ability that cannot be taught is hard work and dedication. Kings head coach Andy Olds knows he is fortunate to have that in his quarterback Tyler Knecht.

“Tyler’s (Knecht) best attribute as a quarterback is his ability to lead, and his ability to outwork others,” expressed Olds. “As you know, the quarterback needs to be the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

The 6-feet-3 junior has led the Knights to a 4-1 record in the first five games. The pro-style quarterback has thrown for 944 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. His best game this season was against Xenia in Week 2 when he tallied 252 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-6 win. Knecht is on-pace to surpass last season’s 1,794 passing yards.

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Knecht guided Kings to one of the best season’s in school history last year when the team finished the regular season undefeated and lost in the second round to Mount Healthy.

His performance early on in his high school career has helped Knecht gain interest from the University of Cincinnati, Purdue, Miami (OH), Toledo, Akron, Kent State, Ball State and Indiana University. Olds said Knecht has visited Toledo, Cincinnati, Miami and Purdue, and has the capabilities to continue his career as a quarterback.

“He will play quarterback at some level,” Olds said. “He has the design and mental makeup for that position.”

Opposing coaches, especially in the conference, are familiar with Knecht’s abilities, and know they need to gameplan against the junior. Turpin head coach Rob Stoll said Knecht was a focal point when strategizing for its Week 4 matchup.

“The plan was to affect him and felt like if we can stop him then we would have a chance,” Stoll said.

His strategy resulted in Knecht throwing four interceptions and a 20-16 win. It marked Knecht’s first regular season defeat under center at Kings.
The junior leader was able to bounce back the following week, throwing for 182 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 defeat of Loveland.

Despite the loss Kings is still favored to be at the top or close to the top in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. And Knecht will be at the center of the Knights success. He is beginning to solidify himself as a top player in Kings High School history, and looking to carry his career to the next level.

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