Knoch's offense may have awoken just in time to appear on television.

The Knights (1-3, 0-2) travel to Highlands (1-2, 0-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff tonight that will be carried live on Fox Sports Net.

"We've seen some of those (Thursday night football) telecasts and they are well-produced shows," Knoch coach Mike King said. "Those games have been well-played and have looked like college games.

"Our kids are excited to be a part of it. Hopefully, we'll put on a good show."

Either way, they will put on an important show. Both teams are looking for their first Greater Allegheny Conference victory.

"Any conference game is big, especially when you're looking for that first conference win," Highlands coach Sam Albert said. "This game will likely be a big one when the playoff scenario is figured out."

Both teams are coming off tough losses to Keystone Oaks. Knoch dropped a 48-42 triple-overtime decision to the Golden Eagles last week despite a stellar game by sophomore running back Alex Whisler.

Whisler carried 19 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff 91 yards for a score.

Before Friday, Knoch had scored just seven points in its previous two games.

"I knew we had that type of offensive production in us," King said. "We went back to emphasizing basic fundamentals in our running game and our offensive line took a big step forward.

"Our offensive line has been a work in progress all year. It still is."

The Knights are banged up along the offensive and defensive lines, however. Two-way lineman Mark Yoest remains out with a concussion as is nose guard John Zellhardt.

Senior tackle Josh Lark broke a finger against Keystone Oaks and is out this week. Mike Burns, a senior defensive end, has a knee injury.

"We do have some depth up front and we're going to need it," King said. "Josh Lark, a sophomore tackle, has done a nice job for us. Some of our younger kids have really picked it up."

Highlands had a 6-0 lead on Quad-A opponent McKeesport with four minutes left in the second quarter when play was stopped because of lightning.

The game was never resumed.

"It was a non-section game, so there was no need to come back out," Albert said. "I guess it goes into the books as a non-game."

The Rams suffered a 27-20 loss to Keystone Oaks two weeks ago, fumbling eight times in the game.

"We've been a decent football team when we don't turn the ball over," Albert said. "Kenny Elliot is the defensive coordinator at Knoch and he'll bring an aggressive defense at us."

The Rams have a sophomore quarterback in Steve Panchik who started as a freshman last year on a Highlands team that finished 1-8. His older brother, senior running back Scott Panchik, rushed for 247 yards in the Rams' season-opening 27-7 win over Valley.

"Coach Albert will try to run the football against us," King said. "That's a given."

Highlands' top defensive players are end Zack Eiseman, tackle Casey Cavanaugh and inside linebacker Jeff Graham.

Sophomore place-kicker Nick Bouchat has been consistent and Albert said he can hit field goals "from 30 yards out or closer."

"Knoch is a well-disciplined team and they probably have a Division I quarterback in (Jordan) Shoop," Albert added. "Our conference is so strong."

King agreed.

"From top to bottom, it's the best conference in Class AAA," he said.