JEFFERSON TWP — Offensive struggles played a key role in the Knoch football team's recent four-game losing streak.

They were a distant memory Friday night.

The Knights rolled up 458 yards of offense and scored four touchdowns from at least 40 yards in a 56-28 Northwest Nine Conference victory over Indiana at Knoch Stadium.

“(In losses to) South Fayette, West Mifflin, Highlands and Montour, that stretch was a meat-grinder for us,” said Knoch coach Frank Whalen. “In those games we put the ball on the ground. We didn't do that tonight.”

Despite the Knights' outburst, the game was still in doubt after Indiana's Ethan Marcozzi scored on a 55-yard run that cut Knoch's lead to 28-21 early in the third quarter. But the Knights took to the air to regain momentum.

On the second play following the kickoff, quarterback Jake Herrit hooked up with a wide open Nick Martin on a 77-yard scoring play.

Herrit ended the game completing 6-of-8 passes for 182 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He added two rushing touchdowns late in the game.

“Jake is a Division I baseball recruit, so he's got a strong arm and can throw the ball a country mile,” said Whalen. “He does everything we ask him to.”

Knoch's defense forced a three-and-out and Ivan Stapchuck scored on a 40-yard run on the next play for a 42-21 lead.

The Knights (2-4, 2-3) opened things up offensively early in the game. Noah Cetnar, a junior running back, scored the team's first two touchdowns in the opening quarter. The first was on a 29-yard pass from Herrit on a wheel route down the left sideline.

Cetnar's second score came on Knoch's next possession when he raced 60 yards on an option pitch to the right.

“I'm used to blocking for Ivan and Jake,” said Cetnar. “I had a couple of carries before tonight, but to score and help the team win in front of the home crowd, it feels awesome.”

Indiana junior quarterback Luke Thomas broke his school's record for career passing yards in the game. He passed for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns to wideout Carlos Carter. But he also threw three interceptions, including one that sparked Knoch's scoring frenzy in the second quarter.

The Indians (1-5, 1-4)were pinned deep in their own territory after a punt from Knoch's Chase Mullen. On a second down from the 5-yard line, Thomas threw to the right side, where Stapchuck undercut the route, picked the pass off and scored from 11 yards.

“Hats off to their quarterback,” said Whalen. “He has poise in the pocket and can really throw the ball. We came up with some plays against him tonight and that was a big one.”

Stapchuck, Knoch's leading rusher on the year, had another big game with 173 yards and the one scoring jaunt.

“When you run the triple option, there's four different guys who have the potential to get the ball on every play,” said Whalen. “When we hold onto the ball and get different players involved in the offense, we can compete with anybody.”

Sophomore defensive back Scott Fraser intercepted Thomas twice in the fourth quarter.

The Knights had last scored at least 56 points in a game in 2011 when they defeated Kittanning 70-14.

Knoch plays at New Castle next Friday.

Indiana 0 14 14 0 — 28

Knoch 14 14 14 14 — 56

First Quarter

K — Noah Cetnar 29 pass from Jake Herrit (Matt Gore kick), 8:02

K — Cetnar 60 run (Gore kick), 5:52

Second Quarter

I — Ethan Marcozzi 13 run (Noah Finegan kick), 8:27

K — Ivan Stapchuck 11 interception return (Gore kick), 2:47

K — Stapchuck 54 run (Gore kick), 2:16

I — Carlos Carter 2 pass from Luke Thomas (Finegan kick), :22

Third Quarter

I — Marcozzi 55 run (Finegan kick), 9:40

K — Nick Martin 77 pass from Herrit (Gore kick), 8:44

K — Stapchuck 40 run (Gore kick), 7:33

I — Carter 29 pass from Thomas (Finegan kick), 5:04

Fourth Quarter

K — Herrit 25 run (Gore kick), 10:31

K — Herrit 1 run (Chase Mullen kick), 6:21

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Indiana, Ethan Marcozzi 10-75, Luke Thomas 3-19, Axel Kovalchick 1-(-2). Knoch, Ivan Stapchuck 19-173, Jake Herrit 14-55, Chase Mullen 4-(-15), Noah Cetnar 1-60, Matt Goodlin 3-7, TEAM 2-(-4).

Passing: Indiana, Luke Thomas 19-41-218-3. Knoch, Jake Herrit 6-8-182-1.

Receiving: Indiana, Justin Raible 2-21, Tom Arbuckle 5-30, Carlos Carter 9-150, Axel Kovalchick 2-15, Nathan Hillard 1-2. Knoch, Noah Cetnar 3-63, Jared Schrecengost 1-15, Nick Martin 2-104.