To say West Allegheny is on a roll would be stating the obvious.

The Indians (9-0) enter Friday's 7:30 p.m. WPIAL Class AAA home playoff game with Knoch having defeated all but one of its last six opponents by at least three touchdowns.

The exception was Moon. The Indians dispatched the then-unbeaten Tigers, 20-7, two weeks ago.

Such play has come from a team that was 5-5 a year ago and returned only a handful of starters.

"Each year is different," veteran coach Bob Palko said. "Each team has its own personality and I like this one.

"These guys get along with each other, they have fun in the locker room and they love playing football. More important than any of that, they are good people."

During the recent floods that damaged parts of the West Allegheny School District, the football team served dinner to flood victims.

"They did it on their own time and put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces," Palko said. "They are very likeable young men."

They're a pretty good football team, too.

Senior quarterback Greg Marshall has completed 70 percent of his passes for more than 1,000 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions in less than seven full games of action.

"Greg is having a fantastic year," Palko said. "Even better than the numbers is the way he's led this team. He's a senior, a veteran player, and he's doing what a veteran quarterback is supposed to do.

"We've won by some big scores and our starters have been taken out early in a few games."

The same holds true for running backs Dorin Dickerson (700 yards) and Josh Shelton (400 yards), along with leading receiver Rob Giles.

Shelton moved into the West Allegheny School District this year after leading Highlands with 817 yards rushing a year ago.

"You get a kid like that and sometimes they don't know what their new role is," Palko said. "That hasn't been the case with Josh. He fit right in."

The Indians have a sizable offensive line, led by Division I prospect C.J. Davis at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds. Akron, Toledo and Indiana are among the D-I schools looking at him.

Team captain Steve Cooney (5-11, 280) and Chris Clark (6-0, 235) are other returning starters up front.

Defensively, the Indians are buoyed by Davis at tackle and inside linebackers Clark and Scott Ruperto.

"Our first team defense has given up 28 points all year," Palko said. "We've gotten our share of turnovers and we haven't allowed a whole lot of yardage.

"Knoch's quarterback (Jordan Shoop) is scary, though. He's a strong kid, very athletic and he doesn't make mistakes very often. Of the game films I've watched, I don't recall him getting sacked even once."

Joe Shields is the Indians' senior place-kicker-punter and has connected for seven field goals, including a long of 44 yards.

"We've been so lucky here with kickers," Palko said. "We've had the first team all-conference kicker every year I've been here. Our kicker last year, Dave Brytus, is starting as a true freshman at Purdue right now."

Other West Allegheny kickers have gone on to play at Miami of Ohio, Princeton and California (Pa.).

Palko has no concerns about his team possibly overlooking the 3-6 Knights.

"This is the playoffs," he said. "This is where you find out the real character of your team. You worked so hard to get here, now it's time to perform.

"Everybody's 0-0 right now. Win or go home. Nobody should have any trouble being ready to play under that scenario."