GREENSBURG — The formula is a simple one, but it's one that Knoch coach Mike King has seen his team execute to near perfection the past two weeks.

The Knights churned out 378 yards on the ground, 231 coming from Tim McNerney, as the squad rolled to a 35-7 victory over Greensburg Salem in the teams' Greater Allegheny Conference opener.

In a 39-29 victory over Ringgold last week, Knoch rushed for 320 yards on 48 carries.

"We just challenged our kids to play our game," said King. "That's Knoch football. Line up, run the ball, pass when you have to. ... Just go at them."

And King has leaned on McNerney, who has taken the reins of the running game after the knee injury to Alex Whisler.

McNerney was coming off a 232-yard, four-touchdown performance last week. The junior running back scored twice Friday against the Golden Lions.

"Our offensive line has been doing a great job of opening things up," said McNerney. "Last week, coach gave me the game ball. This week, I thought I'd give it to them."

The Knights (2-1, 1-0) scored on their first three possessions, opening a 21-0 lead with 8:08 left before halftime.

Seventeen of the 19 plays in those drives were running plays.

McNerney opened the first drive with a 30-yard run and the 10-play, 80-yard drive was capped by a 10-yard scoring pass to Kevin Brodeur from Zach Gross.

The Lions (1-2, 0-1) went three-plays-and-out on their next two possessions while the Knights continued to move the ball.

Knoch needed four and five plays, respectively, to begin to pull away. David Govan scored from 36 yards out on the final play of the first quarter, then McNerney scored on a 3-yard run on the next possession.

"When we came out of the locker room, we were psyched up. Coach had us fired up," said McNerney. "We wanted to come out and win one for Alex Whisler. Everyone did their jobs."

After McNerney's touchdown, the Lions made their first serious push to score.

Starting at their own 16, the Lions used eight plays to set up a first-and-goal at the Knoch 8-yard line.

Matt Adams was stopped for no gain, then Brent Sutherland gained three yards and Steve Fagert threw incomplete to set up fourth down.

Sutherland couldn't reel in Fagert's pass at the 5-yard line with defensive back Kyle Reiser closing in on him and the Lions turned the ball over on downs — a 14-play drive that netted no points before halftime.

"I'm really proud of our defense," said King. "That goal-line defense was nothing but heart. That's the time to see who wants it the most."

The Knights took the opening kickoff of the second half and went on an 11-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a Gross scoring pass to Reiser on a 12-yard toss.

The Lions finally broke through when they constructed an 11-play, 66-yard drive that was punctuated with a sensational 4-yard run by Fagert, who broke to his right to the sideline, avoided two tacklers and reversed his route.

He then made a diving leap in the front left corner of the end zone to put the Lions on the board.

The Knights answered with another long drive, a 14-play march that consumed almost six minutes. McNerney scored from 10 yards out, fumbling near the 5-yard line, but he bounced up and outraced two Lions to the ball in the end zone.

In two weeks, McNerney recorded 54 carries, 463 yards and six touchdowns.

"I think what we have is the development of a great, young running back," said King. "There's no quit in that kid. He can't wait to get the ball and make things happen to help the team."