MORGANTOWN – Next man up. It’s a phrase heard and used often in sports, mainly football, that’s pretty self-explanatory for the most part.
When part of a team, you have to be ready to step up and fill any role that is asked of you when it is asked of you. In the world of football, that is true for nearly every single player on a roster, even if they already occupy a starting role on the team.
University senior Marcos Kniska, who is one of the best linebackers in the state, was called upon to fill the role of running back for the Hawks, who lost starter Brody Kehler for the season to injury in the first half of Week 4’s contest against Wheeling Park. Kniska finished that game with 66 yards on 11 carries and has continued to run the ball successfully.
“Next man up means nobody is bigger than the team,” Kniska said. “If someone goes down, the next player has to be ready to step in, and we keep rolling without excuses. Football is a physical game, and injuries and fatigue are a natural part of it, but our standards never change. Momentum can shift very quickly so it’s important that everyone’s ready to go.”
Kniska has 373 yards on 74 carries (5.0 avg) and six touchdowns in 2025. In Week 7 against Connellsville on Homecoming, Kniska rushed 15 times for 71 yards and found the endzone three times. He also had nine tackles with two sacks on defense on the same night.
“Sometimes it can be difficult going from offense to defense every series, but I love it,” he said. “What helps me switch gears is focusing on my assignment and staying disciplined. I take a deep breath before every series and remind myself of my job. Our conditioning and preparation during the offseason make it possible for me to push myself on both sides of the ball.”
Kniska had another solid performance in Week 8, helping his team pick up a 35-28 victory over No. 5 Spring Mills with 18 carries for 82 yards and the winning touchdown from two yards away in the final minute of the game. Defensively, he finished with seven tackles (one for loss).
“That win showed us we can battle with anyone,” Kniska said. “Spring Mills is a great football team, so to pull that off proved that when we stay focused and trust our preparation, we can handle adversity. It gave us confidence but also showed us we’ve got to be able to finish games better.”
The Hawks will continue their pursuit of hosting a first-round playoff game as one of the top eight teams in the state. UHS enters Week 9 against Preston 6-2 through eight games and is ranked fifth in the Class AAAA WVSSAC playoff rankings. It could sneak into the top four by the end of the regular season with a huge matchup against No. 2 Morgantown on the horizon.
“We took last season personally; it was rough,” Kniska said. “We pushed each other all offseason because we didn’t want to feel that again. Being part of this turnaround and helping to set a new tone for the program is something I’m proud of. But at the same time, we aren’t satisfied whatsoever. Our job isn’t finished, and we want to prove why we belong at the top.”
