Knights trying to slay poor start

September 11, 2008 Last Updated: September 11, 2008 03:01 PM High School

Banged up Knoch opens home schedule against Peters Township

At 0-2, Knoch is not where it expected to be.

Then again, the Knights have an injury list they didn't expect to have.

"We've been playing some inexperienced kids at key positions, experienced kids at different positions, and it's hurt us,"Knoch coach Mike King said. "But that's part of the growth process of a football team."

Knoch makes its 2008 home debut Friday night, taking on Peters Township (1-1) in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Receiver-safety Michael Gallagher remains sidelined with a hip injury and isn't scheduled for another doctor visit until next Friday.

Besides Gallagher, receiver-cornerback Brandon Flick (broken wrist), fullback-linebacker Kevin Brodeur (ankle) and inside linebacker Preston Saxton (jaw) are on the sidelines. Brodeur is listed as questionable for Friday.

The Knights are coming off losses of 20-0 to Hopewell and 37-13 to Blackwell.

"Those are two pretty good teams and we knew they'd be tough,"King said. "But you can't give up 35 points and expect to win many games.

"I don't have any concerns. ... I know we're a good football team. The only way young kids are going to get better is if they're out on that field. It's important some of our kids get a solid varsity football game under their belts."

Coach Nick Milchovich is in his second year at Peters Township. The Indians are coming off a 3-7 season and moved up to Class AAAAthis year.

The Indians began the season with a 21-10 loss to Ringgold before they defeated Kiski Area, 17-13.

"We pushed Ringgold all over the field and gave the game away on penalties and a big pass play," Milchovich said.

Ringgold managed only four first downs and 150 yards of offense against Peters — 72 yards coming on a long touchdown pass.

"We've held the opposition's top running back to 90 and 27 yards so far,"Milchovich said. "But this No. 5 (Tim McNerney) is the best back we've seen to this point."

McNerney has gained 113 yards through two games after rushing for 1,700 last year.

"Everybody wants us to win football games and the coaches and players all want to get back to the level we were at last year,"King said. "Once our (injured) kids get better, we'll be fine.

"If you're talking about the playoffs, the first four games don't mean a hill of beans. I'm willing to put our young kids in these first few games and live with their mistakes. That's how they're going to become good football players for us."

Knoch and Peters Township did not meet last season. The Indians return six starters on defense and five on offense, including running back Brady Ashe, who has a pair of 100-yard games this year.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Mars: Scott Heinauer; Plum: Bill Rometo• Game notes: Plum has lost its first two games by a combined score of 83-7 (to Indiana 28-7 and McKeesport 55-0). ... The Mustangs, who compete in the WPIAL Quad A Big East Conference, graduated star quarterback Kyle Simmons, who passed for 1,436 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and the team's offense is now geared more toward the run. ... Plum made the WPIAL Quad A playoffs last season, despite a 2-7 regular season record, losing to Central Catholic 45-0 in the first round. ... This will be the first meeting between Mars and Plum. ... Mars lost to Hopewell last Friday, 34-7. ... Planets senior fullback Shane Kaclik has rushed for 195 yards in two games.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Apollo-Ridge: John Simon; Freeport: John Gaillot• Game notes: The Vikings are showing they can fare pretty well in Class AA after dispatching Summit Academy 22-8 on Friday. ... Derek Bandurak scored a pair of touchdowns in a 16-point second quarter as he recovered a blocked punt and caught a 15-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Andring. ... Apollo-Ridge rushed for 156 of its 171 total yards. Freeport was blanked by Shady Side Academy 17-0 as Roman San Doval returned an interception 95 yards for one touchdown and added a rushing touchdown.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Slippery Rock: Clyde Conti; Hickory: Frank Antuono• Game notes: Rockets' quarterback Jono Powell threw two touchdown passes, ran for one and returned an interception for a score, but kicker Mike Ramirez was just as valuable. Ramirez boomed a 68 yard punt that dramatically changed field position in the second quarter and had three kickoffs for touchbacks. ... Slippery Rock wide receiver Derrick Orloski has hauled in three scoring passes this season. ... Hickory lost last week in large part because of two blocked extra points and a failed 2-point conversion in a 20-18 defeat at the hands of Titusville.

• Last year's score: Wilmington 37, Grove City 0• Coaches: Wilmington: Terry Verrelli; Grove City: Jeff Bell• Game notes: Eagles' quarterback Mike Burk underwent surgery on his broken foot Monday and is out indefinitely. ... Fresman Tyler Dagres has taken Burk's spot and completed 4-of-10 passes and a touchdown in a win over East. ... Wilmington has outscored its opponents 91-20 this season. ... Dwayne Martin has caught two passes for Grove City this season, both for touchdowns. ... Martin led the Eagles with 87 yards rushing against East. ... Wilmington quarterback Shane Wagner completed 10-of-16 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half, in a 42-13 win over Greenville last week.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Punxsutawney: Blake Moilan; Moniteau: Jeff Campbell• Game notes: Punxsutawney's offensive line averages 230 pounds. Only one Moniteau offensive lineman is bigger than quarterback Tyler Armagost. ... Clarion-Limestone had minus-43 yards rushing against the Warriors' defense last week. ... Moniteau played 21 different players on defense last week. ... Punxsy wide receiver EastonWeaver has caught 10 passes for 186 yards this season. ... The Chucks have scored just six points in their first two games.

• Last year's score: Redbank Valley 48, Union 6• Coaches: Redbank Valley: Brandon Rapp, first season; Union: Jeremy Lipps, first season• Game notes: The Bulldogs have outscored Clarion-Limestone and Keystone by a combined 85-6 in their first two games. Rapp was an assistant coach at Keystone the past two years. ... RBAlex Bladel had 20 carries for 168 yards and three TDs vs. Keystone, also making seven tackles on defense. ... QBShiloh Buchleitner rushed for 79 yards and two TDs, completed seven of 10 passes for 133 yards last week. ... Union has surrendered 103 points in two games. ... Zach Traister returned a kickoff 102 yards for a TD against Brookville and had six catches for 120 yards and a TDagainst Karns City. ... Golden Knights QBMatt Gagliano threw for 138 yards last week.

• Last year's score: Clarion-Limestone 28, A-C Valley 12• Coaches: A-C Valley: Gary Pinkerton; Clarion-Limestone: Todd Smith, seventh season• Game notes: The Lions have opened the season with two straight lopsided losses (36-6 to Redbank Valley and 47-0 to Moniteau). ... In last week's loss to Moniteau, the Lions turned the ball over four times and had (-43) rushing yards. ... Clarion-Limestone has just 27 players on its roster. ... The Lions made the District 9 Class A playoffs in 2005, but have gone 4-16 since. ... A-C Valley is coming off a 43-0 loss to Clarion. ... Sophomore running back Brent Hindman leads the Falcons' ground attack with 56 yards and one touchdown this season. ... Clarion-Limestone has won eight straight games against A-C Valley.

• Last year's score: Did not play• Coaches: Burrell: Tom Henderson; Summit Academy: Steve Sherer• Game notes: Deer Lakes edged Burrell 21-20 last Friday despite 145 yards passing and two touchdowns by Bucs quarterback Camren Nelson, who also rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries. ... Troy Highfield added 104 yards rushing while Chris Linden and David Yakopec combined for seven catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. ... The Lancers scored a pair of touchdowns in the final 4:10 to pull out the win. ... The Knights lone score came on a 66-yard fumble return by Trayvon Grogan and a two-point conversion pass from Bijon Marshall to Kevin Goodman.