CORAOPOLIS - A handful of plays to open the second half nearly allowed the Knoch football team a chance to erase a lackluster first half against Moon Friday.

Unfortunately, the Knights' offense couldn't match its defense and Knoch dropped a 10-7 non-conference decision to the Tigers.

"Ken Elliott, our defensive coordinator, had a great game plan," said Knoch coach Mike King. "It was just great execution. We ran some stunts early and the kids were not at full speed.

"We shut them out in the second half and, trust me, there were no major adjustments. We challenged the kids in the second half," King added.

The Knights trailed 10-0 at the break before holding the Tigers to three plays and a punt to open the third quarter.

After a 6-yard run by Justin McGowan opened the Knights' ensuing drive, quarterback Jordan Shoop scored on a 68-yard run to help pull the Knights to within three points.

On Moon's next play, Knoch's Bill Elliott picked off a Casey Williams pass in the flat to set up the Knights at the Moon 21.

Kiel Boschele's 7-yard reception on a third-and-5 helped to give Knoch a first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, but Shoop was sacked for a 19-yard loss, pushing the Knights to the 28.

The Knights' Ben Wetzel tried a 31-yard field goal to tie the game, but the kick was wide.

"It's just a matter of execution," said King. "You gotta execute. You only get so many opportunities against a good football team like Moon.

"If you're entrusted to catch the ball, you do it. If you're entrusted to block for Jordan, you do it. I feel we could have really gained great momentum," King added.

The Knights never crossed midfield the rest of the game.

"We're pleased we won," said Moon coach Mark Capuano, "but I felt our defense made some big plays. Offensively, we have to get better."

They certainly started the game well enough, driving 60 yards on four plays - all running plays - to take a 7-0 lead with 7:20 left in the first quarter.

Junior Michael Battles had runs of 40 and 4 yards, and Corey had McCartney a 6-yarder before Battles scored on a 7-yard scamper.

Battles rolled up 116 yards on 13 carries in the first half before the Knights limited him to 20 on eight carries in the second half.

"He had a great game last week - for a half," said Capuano. "He had 93 yards in the first half, but he gets cramps."

In last week's 29-15 win over Ringgold, Tigers quarterback Casey Williams rushed for 115 yards and threw for 100. Against Knoch, Williams had six yards passing and ran for 17.

"Casey's had some injuries," said Capuano. "He's dragging his leg."

"I'm really pleased how our defense played," said King. "They are one of the best teams in Class AAA and we contained one of the best quarterbacks in the WPIAL."

With section play looming, King is pleased with his team's defense so far, which also limited Freeport to seven points in Week 1 in a 14-7 triumph.

"This is about as good as our defense has been this early in the season," said King. "We'll keep ourselves in ballgames. It's a shame we couldn't muster any offense."

Notes:

Moon kicker Jason Presutti capped a 14-play drive with a 31-yard field goal with 1:12 left before halftime … Shoop finished as Knoch's leading rusher with 79 yards despite losing almost 40 in sacks. He completed only three of 17 passing attempts … Knoch was 0-for-4 on fourth-down attempts.