He leads the team in rushing and touchdowns. He can catch the football out of the backfield. He's among the leaders in tackles.

But there are athletes whose value exceeds their versatility, and whose contributions stretch beyond their statistics. He's one of those, too.

"He's just a tough, tough kid," Eastern coach Dan Spittal said. "In this conference, you better have skill guys who are tough."

Eastern plays Seneca tonight in a Burlco/Olympic interdivisional game that will be pivotal for both teams' playoff chances.

Both teams have one loss.

Both teams have talent.

And both have players with that intangible but invaluable quality that defines them far better than their positions, heights, weights, or place among South Jersey's rushing and scoring leaders.

Players such as Knoblauch.

"It's going to be a war," Knoblauch said. "They're a good team. We think we're a good team. It's going to be a good game."

Spittal said the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Knoblauch reminded him of former Cherokee star Doug Easlick, who walked on at Virginia Tech, became a regular for the nationally ranked Hokies, and played in the NFL.

"He's a 60-minute kid," Spittal said of Knoblauch. "He's got speed, and he's got good vision. He runs hard and he plays hard as a linebacker.

"He's one of these guys you have to drag off the field."

Knoblauch has scored in every game. He leads the Vikings with six touchdowns.

He had three touchdowns, including one as a receiver, against Rancocas Valley. He ran for 134 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown in Eastern's last game, a 16-3 victory over Cherry Hill East last Friday night.

"I like having the ball in my hands," Knoblauch said. "We've been doing a good job on defense, and the offense is starting to come together. The line has been blocking great."

Knoblauch grew up in Berlin and played midget football in the Gibbsboro-Voorhees Athletic Association with many of his future teammates at Eastern. But as a freshman, he attended St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia.

"It was a great school with a great football program," Knoblauch said. "But it was tough. I had to get a bus at 6 o'clock in the morning. I was the first stop. And I wouldn't get home until 7:30 at night."

Knoblauch transferred to Eastern as a sophomore and saw some varsity action that season. He rushed for 643 yards last season as a part-time running back.

This season, Knoblauch does a little of everything. He only leaves the field when the Vikings punt or kick off.

"It gets tiring, but I like being out there," Knoblauch said. "It's senior year. It seems like everything has gone by so quick. I'm trying to stretch it out and make it last."

Knoblauch is a good student, with a 3.6 grade point average. Spittal believes Knoblauch can play college football in Division I-AA.

"He's so versatile," Spittal said. "He can run the ball, catch it out of the backfield, return punts. I think he'd be a good strong safety at that level."

Football teams need running backs, linebackers, punt returners, and kickoff returners. They need guys who can take the snap out of the Wildcat formation.

Mostly, they need guys who will look a physical challenge in the eye, like Tyler Knoblauch will against Seneca.

"You have to have players like him," Spittal said. "You have to have football players. He's a football player."