The message to Knoch's offense is clear: Put up or get knocked out.

The Knights (2-4, 1-2) have been inconsistent running and throwing the football, are averaging only 14 points per game and are coming off a 42-8 loss at home to previously winless Plum.

Now they're playing host to multi-dimensional Franklin Regional (5-1, 3-1), which has already scored more than 30 points three times this season.

"Our offense will have to be more productive this week," Knoch coach Mike King said. "They (Franklin Regional) have a lot of weapons. You can't be one-dimensional offensively anymore in high school football.

"Defenses are too good these days. They'll take away the one thing you do well and force you to do something else."

While King was disappointed in his team's performance against Plum, he recognized the facts: A non-section game against a winless foe following two nail-biting, intense contests.

Knoch had lost in triple overtime to Keystone Oaks five days before pulling out a last-minute, one-point win at Highlands.

"Our kids probably felt they could relax a bit in the Plum game," King reasoned. "Besides Hampton, it was the only game we didn't go hard for four quarters."

That clearly needs to change Friday.

Franklin Regional's lone loss is a 20-17 decision to Hampton and the Panther lineup is filled with third-year starters.

"We took our lumps as a Quad-A team playing a bunch of sophomores two years ago," Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta said. "Now we're a veteran group that knows how to win."

Senior tailback Robby Armstrong has rushed for 824 yards despite missing two games with an elbow injury. He returned last week to carry eight times for 141 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-17 victory over Highlands.

"He's a special player who wants to be in there every down," Botta said. "It's my responsibility to keep him healthy and I have to limit his time somewhat."

Senior quarterback Brad Phillips, at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, runs and throws the ball well. He committed to Northwestern of the Big Ten in the preseason.

Senior two-way 270-pound lineman John Malecki committed to Pitt in the preseason.

Phillips threw for 130 yards and rushed for 85 in the Panthers' 20-0 win over Keystone Oaks two weeks ago. Leading receiver Mike Schilling caught a pair of touchdown passes.

"They have a big offensive line and that's the challenge to our defense," King said. "Our kids have to be focused because this game will be won or lost up front."

And Knoch's offense may have to play its best game to date for the Knights to win.

Quarterback Jordan Shoop has completed only 32 of 88 passes for 431 yards, one touchdown and six interceptions. Curtis Howard - stepping in for the injured Alex Whisler at tailback - had 10 carries for 94 yards and a TD last week.

"Curtis answered the call and was real excited about last week," King said. "He's got the speed and the quickness. I'm excited about him.

"We have a bunch of receivers with a handful of catches. I'm hoping someone emerges, steps up and becomes the go-to guy. That's what we need. We need to take some of the pressure off Jordan."

Eric Farmer has six catches for 118 yards, Dan Pickard six for 91, Rob Briggs four for 42 and Joel Berger four for 32.

Whoever does step up won't have an easy time of it. Franklin Regional cornerbacks Phillips and Schilling, along with safety Shane Barie, have eight years of starting varsity experience between them.

"It's a solid group that can prevent the big play," Botta said. "That's what we need to do Friday."