His team is seeded last and carries the worst won-loss record of any in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.

Knoch coach Mike King doesn't care.

"We belong and our kids know we belong," King said. "We beat the teams we had to beat to get into the playoffs.

"We had some injuries during the year and we rested some kids in games that didn't count toward the postseason. Our kids understand that."

Knoch (3-6) is in the playoffs despite getting off to a 0-3 start and being outscored 82-24 during that time.

The Knights have dropped three of their last four - the losses by an average margin of 29 points - but defeated Indiana 20-14 in the game that ultimately gave them the fourth and final playoff spot in the Greater Allegheny Conference.

Now they're facing top-seeded and unbeaten West Allegheny, a program making its eighth consecutive playoff appearance. West Allegheny won three consecutive WPIAL Class AAA titles from 1999-01.

A David vs. Goliath match-up? King's not buying it.

"We'll be ready to play," he said. "We've already played a tough schedule. We're going on the road to play one of the best Triple-A teams around and we're excited about it.

"It's a great opportunity. West Allegheny is very good, but I wouldn't say they're unbeatable. We're gonna have to play one of our best games of the year, but we can do that."

Junior quarterback Jordan Shoop enters the game with 56 completions in 139 attempts for 828 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Tailback David Bergamasco has rushed for 669 yards and four TDs, fullback Jamison Dohn has rushed for 233 yards.

Shoop has thrown touchdown passes to six different receivers this season. Curtis Compton has 21 catches for 417 yards and four of those scores. Ryan Hollihan has four TD catches as well and rotates in with Ryan Ziacik and Joel Berger.

Knoch's line will be tested Friday and may hold the key to the Knights' fortunes. Billy Elliott is the center, Mark Yoest and Tyler Ray the guards, Steve Sanders and Josh Lark the guards.

Greg Braden and Steve Yamnitsky divide time at tight end.

"They (West Allegheny) are tough up front and they have a Division I prospect in (guard) C.J. Davis," King said. "Again, our kids know what awaits them.

"They have a size advantage on us, but we'll line up with a lot of hustle, team spirit and enthusiasm and just let the intangibles take over."

Defensively, Knoch lines up with Ray at nose guard, Lark and Alex DeYoung at tackle, Hollihan and Yamnitsky at end.

Dohn and Elliott are the linebackers, Berger and Compton the corners, Shoop at free safety and Tim Hickey at strong safety.

"It's nice to have somebody really active at nose guard," King said. "Tyler has really made a difference in our defense since we made that adjustment a few games back.

"West Allegheny has the athletes, no doubt about that. We have to play a strong mental game, play with a lot of intensity and emotion."

West Allegheny quarterback Greg Marshall has completed a high percentage of his passes and the Indians are adept at hitting the big play.

"That's what we have to prevent," King said. "We have to stay disciplined on defense, bend, but don't break. They pass the ball extremely well, but not many high school teams can drive downfield by constantly hitting passes.

"Our kids have hung in there all year. They're survivors, they line up and battle. I expect to see that Friday night because I've seen it all year."