Like it or not, playoff season has arrived early for Knoch.

The Knights (2-5, 1-3) travel to Indiana (3-4, 2-2) Friday night needing a victory to keep their WPIAL playoff hopes alive.

"Clearly, it's a must-win for us," Knoch coach Mike King said. "Then we're back to points and we may be in good shape there since we only lost to Keystone Oaks by a touchdown in overtime.

"But first things first. There's no sense getting ahead of ourselves. We need to win Friday for any of this to matter."

Franklin Regional, Hampton and Pine-Richland appear to have three of the four Greater Allegheny Conference playoff spots secure. That leaves Indiana, Knoch and Keystone Oaks battling for the final berth.

Indiana and Keystone Oaks have two league wins each while Knoch has one. But Keystone Oaks still has to play Hampton and Indiana still has Franklin Regional.

The Knights close the regular season with Pine-Richland next week.

"If we win Friday, we put ourselves in a great position," Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas said. "If we don't … I'm not real sure what happens.

"I'd just as soon win and not have to worry about it."

Knoch used a 20-14 win over Indiana to get to the playoffs last year, but face a more experienced Indians team this time around.

"They use a double-slot with a lot of motion, almost like a veer option," King said. "They're very effective with it and they've gotten better at it."

After averaging just 14½ points per game in the first five weeks, Indiana is coming off wins of 36-27 over Keystone Oaks and 36-20 over Highlands.

First-year starting senior quarterback Adam Chakot completed all four of his pass attempts last week - including a 59-yard touchdown toss to slot-back Dave Watters.

"We average maybe 10 passes per game, but we're very capable of throwing the football," Zilinskas said. "But our philosophy is to run the ball.

"Adam is the leader of this team. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in seventh grade, but has overcome it. He's only 5-foot-9, but he's a tough kid and his teammates believe in him."

Indiana has eight starters back offensively, including running backs James Cavalancia (477 yards last year), Watters and fullback Zack Smith.

Smith leads the team in rushing this year with 450 yards.

"Our rushing leader varies from game to game," Zilinskas said. "It depends on what the defense gives us."

Knoch receives a boost this week with the return of starting offensive lineman Josh Lark from injury.

Tailback Curtis Howard netted just five yards in 11 carries in the Knights' 47-15 loss to Franklin Regional last week after rushing for 94 yards against Plum the previous week.

Howard became Knoch's prime running back after Alex Whisler sustained a spleen injury three weeks ago.

"Franklin Regional has a powerful front, one of the best I've seen in a long time," King said. "we couldn't do much running against them.

"Of the teams in our league, we match up the best size-wise with Indiana. They're not a real big team physically. I think Curtis Howard is ready to break out and I'm anticipating a big game from him."

He's counting on a big game from senior quarterback Jordan Shoop, too.

"He's used to that," King said. "We've been leaning on Jordan all season. He's excited about this game."

Defensively, Indiana is anchored by returning all-conference nose guard Corey Vasbinder and second-team all-conference performer Watters at safety.

"I'm anticipating a tight football game," Zilinskas said. "Our teams match up well together in a lot of ways."