JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch hasn't thrown a touchdown pass all season. West Allegheny has proven susceptible to the passing game.

So what to do if you're the 13th-seeded Knights (3-6) when you face the fourth-seeded Indians (7-2) in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Imperial?

"You always want to try to do what you do best," Knoch coach Mike King said. "For us, that's running the football. But it's OK to throw a wrinkle or two in here and there as well.

"They only have two game films on you. Teams have had success throwing the ball on West Allegheny. We're working on some schemes this week to open up our passing game."

Kyler Kenyon has thrown for 511 yards with five interceptions since becoming Knoch's starting quarterback in Week 3. Jake McTighe, the Knights' former starting quarterback, leads the team with 14 catches for 167 yards.

In the meantime, the trio of fullback Adam Tuzikow, tailback John DeWalt and Kenyon has combined for 1,007 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing. And that doesn't count 338 yards and two TDs from Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin, who is out for the season with an injury.

"They've shuffled some personnel around and they have it going now," West Allegheny coach Bob Palko said of Knoch. "Throw out their overrall record because Knoch is a different team now.

"They should have beaten Mars. If they did, their seed would be much higher."

As it is, none of the Greater Allegheny Conference teams are seeded particularly high.

"I don't think our league deserves any type of disrespect," King said. "Our league's record in the playoffs the past few years speaks for itself."

West Allegheny's playoff history speaks for itself as well. The Indians missed postseason play last year for the first time since 1996. Palko, in his 15th season, won WPIAL championships with the Indians in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001.

West Allegheny defeated Knoch, 41-6, in the first round of the 2004 playoffs.

Running back Mike Caputo leads the Indians with 1,383 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. Quarterback Jared Buck has thrown for 791 yards and 11 scores.

"Buck tore his ACL midway through last year and he's come back to play some great football for us," Palko said. "He can run it or throw it.

"Caputo is a talented young man who also excels at strong safety. He can run with power and speed. He's only a junior, but he's a Division I prospect for sure."

Ben Simmen, a 6-foot-3 senior, is West Allegheny's leading receiver with more than 30 catches and six touchdowns.

"We had a passing scrimmage with them last summer at Slippery Rock, so we're a little familiar with them," King said. "This is a very good football team with a lot of weapons. Caputo is the first guy we have to contain."

The Indians have two Division I prospects up front in two-way senior tackle Tim Johnson (6-foot, 270 pounds) and junior guard Alex Zupanovich (5-11, 255).

Defensively, outside linebacker Aaron McKinney andsafety Simmen are standouts. Junior fullback-linebacker C.J. Revtai (6-1, 220) is another Division I prospect.

West Allegheny has surrendered at least three touchdowns in five of its nine games, however. The Indians finished second to Hopewell in the Parkway Conference.

"We're hoping our conference has prepared us for the playoffs," Palko said. "We've gone up against plenty of stellar athletes and Knoch has some of those.

"They run the option well. We have to play assignment football and not turn the ball over."

West Allegheny kicker Aaron Fleck is a two-time all-conference player and expects to kick for a Division II college program next year.