NATRONA HEIGHTS — Almost every time the Knoch football team made a big play in the second half Friday, a yellow penalty flag could be found on the ground.

The Knights' 16 penalties for 120 yards and three turnovers kept them from being able to stage a second-half comeback against Highlands, and Knoch was defeated 24-16 in a WPIAL 4A Northwest Nine game Friday night.

“We can't turn the ball over, and we can't keep committing these penalties,” said Knoch coach Frank Whalen.

Knoch (1-2, 1-2 Northwest Nine) went into the second half down 21-16. Just three minutes into the third quarter, the Knights lost a fumble at their own 25-yard line.

They managed to stall the Golden Rams (2-1, 2-1 Northwest Nine) at the 11, but Jaci Bowser's 28-yard field goal try sailed through the uprights for the 24-16 lead midway through the third.

Whalen commended the defense for holding the Golden Rams to a field goal.

“The second half, our defense played extremely well,” he said.

The three points turned out to be insurance that Highlands never needed. Knoch again lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter.

The Knights' defense would not be moved, Highlands punted to Knoch. However, quarterback Jake Herrit's pass down the left sidelines was intercepted, and a turnover killed another Knoch drive.

“The defense came out and really played strong, so the defense won that thing for us,” said Highlands coach Dom Girardi. “They really stepped it up.”

The Knoch defense held strong one more time, and the Knights took over at their own 26 late in the fourth with a chance to tie the game.

A long run by Herrit brought Knoch near midfield, but two plays later, a false start set back the Knights by five yards.

A play after that, a holding penalty negated a run deep into Highlands territory, bringing Knoch back to the 33.

One play later, a clipping penalty set up the Knights with 4th down and 36 yards to go. Herrit was sacked on the next play, and Highlands took over on downs and knelt its way to victory.

“Highlands has great, great skill players,” Whalen said. “(Girardi) is doing a great job over there, so hats off to them. They did a great job tonight.”

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Highlands and Knoch tied at 14 in the second.

The Knights went ahead on Jim Johnston's safety of Highlands quarterback Seth Cohen in the second quarter, but Cohen returned the favor before the half ended with a 26-yard strike to Johnny Crise for the 21-16 lead.

Knoch's loss snaps a six-game winning streak over Highlands. Herrit ran for 152 yards on 12 carries, while running back Ivan Stapchuck gained 122 yards on 25 rushes.

“That's what we do,” Whalen said. “We run the football. If we take care of the football and we don't get penalized, who knows what happens tonight?”

Knoch 7 9 0 0 — 16

Highlands 14 7 3 0 — 24

First Quarter

H — Logan Crise 88 pass from Cohen (Bowser kick), 7:46

K — Herrit 28 run (Matt Gore kick), 6:05

H — Freeman 21 pass from Cohen (Bowser kick), 2:16

Second Quarter

K — A.J. Karenbauer 30 pass from Cohen (Gore kick), 7:18

K — Johnston sack Cohen in end zone for safety, 3:56

H — Crise 26 pass from Cohen (Gore kick), :43.2

Third Quarter

H — Bowser 28 field goal, 6:17

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Knoch, Herrit 12-152, Stapchuck 25-122, Karenbauer 5-27, Cetnar 2-6. Highlands, Cameron Taylor 8-18, Cohen 6-5, Gabriel Booker 2-4, Logan Crise 2-(minus-1).

Passing: Knoch, Herrit 4-10-51-1. Highlands, Cohen 14-27-259-0.

Receiving: Knoch, Karenbauer 3-46, Thomas Peiffer 1-5. Highlands, L. Crise 5-141, J. Crise 4-57, Freeman 3-51, Booker 2-16.