JEFFERSON TWP — Step 1 in trying to beat undefeated South Fayette: Don't beat yourself.

Knoch coach Frank Whalen is hoping his team realizes that step and then some when the Knights host the Lions at 7 p.m. Friday in a Northwest Nine football game.

Knoch (1-2, 1-1) hurt itself with penalties and turnovers in last week's 24-16 loss at Highlands.

“We had 16 penalties, probably took 10 or 12 in the first half alone,” Whalen said. “We lost two or three fumbles and threw an interception.

“Those things definitely cost us. But, absolutely, those are things we can correct.”

Knoch can afford few mistakes against a South Fayette team that is 4-0 overall, 2-0 in league play, and has outscored its opponents 148-19 this far.

The Lions graduated 22 seniors and 14 starters from last year's team and return only three starters on the defensive side of the ball.

“They've won 45 to 50 straight conference games for a reason,” Whalen said. “That is an outstanding program.”

While Knoch will again rely on its triple option — an offense that “gives opposing coaches nightmares,” says Lions coach Joe Rossi — South Fayette will rely on an aggressive, balanced passing game.

Quarterback Drew Saxton threw for 2,368 yards and 30 touchdowns last year. Through three games this season, he threw for 591 yards and five TDs.

“We've always had great quarterbacks and that's where it all starts,” Rossi said. “We had the Brumbaugh brothers and now we have Drew. He puts the ball on the money.”

Top receivers for the Lions are Rayquin Glover with 14 catches for 134 yards, Noah Plack 11 for 159 and Ryan Kokoski seven for 126. All three have caught touchdown passes.

Johnny Beck is the team's leading rusher, gaining 247 yards in the first three games.

“They are going to come out and throw the ball, spread you around,” Whalen said. “Their passing game isn't that much different from what we just faced in Highlands, but their quarterback will stand in the pocket longer and let deeper patterns open up downfield.”

Knoch's rushing offense got back on track last week as quarterback Jake Herrit ran for 152 yards and fullback Ivan Stapchuk picked up 122. Stapchuk has 402 yards rushing on the year.

“The triple option is tricky to defend because it's not an offense you see often in high school,” Rossi said. “We'll try to simulate it in practice as best we can.

“Knoch looks like it's been running that offense for years. That's a credit to their coaches and their kids.”

Whalen said it's critical that the Knights operate “in front of the sticks” Friday night.

“Our offense is designed for us to control the clock every week and win time of possession,” Whalen said. “We need to keep moving forward and avoid making mistakes.”

Whalen lauded the defensive efforts of nose guard Saavon Mosby and linebacker Eric Green in the Highlands game.

“Saavon made his first start for us at nose guard and played a very good game,” the coach said. “Eric has been a consistent player for us.”

South Fayette's young defense has yet to give up more than seven points in a game this year./

“We face the triple option part of the time when we scrimmage Chartiers Valley every year because it's part of their package,” Rossi said. “But there's a reason why Army gives Ohio State's defense trouble even though there's not a player on Army's team who was recruited by Ohio State.

“When that offense is run right, it's very effective. We just don't want to give up any big plays. I'm, sure they feel the same way about us.”