JEFFERSON TWP — After a sluggish first quarter, Knoch scored 42 points in the middle two quarters to hand Ambridge its 18th straight loss, 42-0, in Northwest Nine football action Friday night.

The 42-point outburst was largely due to the Knights’ defense, which forced six Ambridge turnovers to set their offense up with a short field for the majority of the game.

“The defense is getting better and better every week,” Knoch coach Frank Whalen said. “This is their first year running this defense and they are beginning to understand the scheme better.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Knoch quarterback Jake Herrit scored twice in a span of 27 seconds to give the Knights an insurmountable 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Herrit, who rushed for 40 yards and threw for 100, scored on runs of four and eight yards. The first touchdown capped off the Knights’ longest drive of the game, a 10-play, 66-yard drive. Herrit’s second score came one play after a Knoch interception that set the Knights up at the 8-yard line.

The Knights put the game away with a 28-point third quarter, in which the defense forced three of their six turnovers.

Ivan Stapchuck, who rushed for a game-high 151 yards, took the game over for Knoch in the third quarter, as he scored touchdowns from six and eight yards out.

“Ivan is a super talent,” Whalen said. “This week was his best week of practice all year.”

The defense also got into the scoring column as Jim Johnston picked off a Robbie Thompson pass and raced 20 yards for the score.

The Bridgers quarterbacking duo of Thompson and Noah Campalong combined to throw for 167 yards, but Ambridge was held to -18 yards rushing for the game.

Knoch closes out the regular season next week, hosting Mars.

“We need to keep improving,” Whalen said. “Mars is a stiff opponent, but it is a rivalry game, so our guys are going to be up for it.”

Saavon Mosby, who rushed for 46 yards, capped off the scoring on a 21-yard run late in the third quarter, going untouched up the middle to the end zone.

Ambridge 0 0 0 0 — 0

Knoch 0 14 28 0 — 42

Second Quarter

K — Jake Herrit 4 run (Matt Gore kick), 9:13

K — Herrit 8 run (Gore kick), 8:46

Third Quarter

K — Jim Johnston 20 interception return (Gore kick), 11:45

K — Ivan Stapchuk 6 run (Gore kick), 7:46

K — Stapchuck 8 run (Gore kick), 4:36

K — Saavon Mosby 21 run (Patrick Smith kkck), 2:08

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Ambridge, Noah Campalong 7-(-12), Robbie Thompson 1-(-1), Mahki Robinson 3-(-5). Knoch, Ivan Stapchuck 18-151, Jake Herrit 12-40, Chase Mullen 2-16, Noah Cetnar 2-21, Saavon Mosby 5-46, Jim Johnston 3-9.

Passing: Ambridge, Robbie Thompson 7-14-91-2, Noah Campalong 8-13-76-1, Laconia Seymour 1-1-(-1)-0. Knoch, Jake Herrit 7-10-100-0.

Receiving: Ambridge, Justin Hassick 4-34, Dozhay Crumb 5-36, Demarri Jones 2-8, Makhi Robinson 2-63, Navon Locust 1-6, Laconia Seymour 1-20, Noah Campalong 1-(-1). Knoch, Noah Cetnar 2-23, Joey Wojciechowski 1-10, Eric Green 1-27, Chase Mullen 3-40.