JEFFERSON TWP — Points have been rare and victories non-existent for Montour's football team so far this season.

Knoch coach Frank Whalen doesn't care.

The Knights (2-3, 2-2) travel to Montour (0-5, 0-2) for a critical Northwest Eight Conference game at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Spartans have scored only 17 points all season and have been outscored 122-0 by Blackhawk, Aliquippa and Laurel Highlands the past three weeks.

“I know they haven't been scoring, but they've been moving the ball on everybody,” Whalen said of Montour. “I'm talking about in between the 20's.

“They keep running into different roadblocks that are causing their drives to stall out. But they're going to figure it out.”

Lou Cerro is in his 14th year at Montour and hasn't had a losing season there since 2006. His teams have reached Heinz Field for the WPIAL championship game four times in the past 12 years, including last season.

This year, the experience hasn't been there.

“We graduated 22 seniors from last year and only have six seniors this year — and only three of them play,” Cerro said. “The good news is we're gaining experience and we're playing a little better each week.

“The question is whether it will come together for us before the season's over. It's been a struggle.”

The Spartans have rushed for zero net yards through five games. Quartterback Luke Pursinger has lost 123 yards in quarterback sacks and has thrown for 299 yards and one touchdown.

Montour's leading rusher is Dante Presutti, with just 38 yards. Receiver Anthony Tambellini has nine catches for 126 yards.

“We've had a couple of injuries up front that have hurt us,” Cerro said of the offensive line. “Again, we're young there. It's a week to week thing.”

Knoch is coming off consecutive lopsided wins at home over Highlands and Ambridge. Matt Goodlin scored four touchdowns in last week's 56-0 win over Ambridge.

Goodlin has 507 yards and eight touchdowns rushing while quarterback Chase Mullen has rushed for 389 yards and five scores, thrown for 340 and two TDs.

“Our other backs, Noah Cetnar and Jim Johnston, are kicking in now, too,” Whalen said. “Our offense is beginning to click.

“This year, we had to put a lot of young kids on the field (because of injuries) and they're playing better and better each week. That's showing in our team performance.”

The Knights' offensive line of Jarrett Bricker at center, Cole Lassinger and Emmett Fry at guard, Dalton Reed and Hunter Roenigk at tackle have been sparking the team's triple option.

“Lassinger and Reed in particular ... Those guys are first-year varsity football players and they've really improved, along with Hunter at left tackle,” Whalen said.

Cerro said it's difficult to prepare for Knoch's offense.

“We see that (triple option) once a year,” he said. “You really can't imitate it in practice. All we tell our kids is stay at home, plug your gaps and don't miss tackles.”

Inside linebacker Bricker and tackle Fry have been sparking Knoch defensively.

“They are two senior captains and they've been leaders,” Whalen said. “This is a big one for us this week. We're going to their place and we need to play well.”

Montour has won its last three games against Knoch, including 35-3 last year, 34-21 in 2016 and 42-14 in the 2011 WPIAL title game.