University’s Marcos Kniska (0) reacts after forcing a safety against Parkersburg South. (Benjamin Powell/The Dominion Post )

MORGANTOWN – If Marcos Kniska could go back and give the freshman version of himself one piece of advice before stepping on the football field at the high school level for the first time, he would simply let his younger self know to take everything one play at a time.

That’s precisely what the University High senior did defensively in 2025 for the Hawks en route to an appearance in the state semifinals as the seventh seed in Class AAAA.

For his role in leading his team deep into the postseason, Kniska was named the 2025 recipient of the Howley Award by the West Virginia Sportswriters Association on Monday, given yearly to the top linebacker in the state.

The Howley Award is named for former Warwood High, WVU, and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, the only Super Bowl MVP from a losing team.

Kniska totaled 123 tackles in 2025 (84 assisted, 39 solo), with 15 coming for loss and four sacks. He added three interceptions as well.

“I’m very excited about the news of the Howley Award,” Kniska said. “I’m grateful for, and wouldn’t be anywhere without, my teammates and coaches who have helped me excel at the position. I think the correct word is just grateful. It truly means a lot.”

Kniska tallied at least ten tackles in seven games for the Hawks on the year, with his best performance coming in the state semifinals against Martinsburg with 18, including nine solo tackles.

What’s even more impressive about his defensive efforts is the fact that Kniska served as the team’s starting running back as UHS lost sophomore Brody Kehler to a season-ending injury in Week 4 against Wheeling Park. Kniska ended 2025 with 746 yards and ten touchdowns on 127 carries for the Hawks.

Despite playing both sides of the ball, delivering and receiving contact, Kniska says he welcomed the challenge, although at times it presented some difficulties.

“Playing offense didn’t change my mindset defensively, but the transition between the two was tough sometimes,” he said. “Just flipping from one side of the ball to the other so quickly can be hard. The physicality was challenging, too, obviously, especially playing the way I do. But I embraced the moment when it came. The more football I was able to play, the better, in my opinion.”

Kniska played plenty of football for UHS over the years, seeing varsity minutes from his sophomore season.

All leading to his final year on Baker’s Ridge, helping lead his team to one of the best finishes in school history, and capping his senior season on the gridiron as a WVSWA Class AAAA First-Team All-State selection and the 2025 winner of the Howley Award.

“This year meant everything to our team,” he said. “It was very rewarding to see all the hard work we put in during the summer and offseason pay off during the year.”

Kniska is the first UHS player to capture the Howley Award, joining Morgantown High’s Caden Biser (2020) as the two coverage-area players to earn the honor.