JEFFERSON TWP — For a minute on Friday night, Hopewell fans might have thought Tony Dorsett was playing during the Vikings' 47-6 football victory over Knoch.

It wasn't the former Hopewell and Pittsburgh Panthers great in the backfield, but it was a young man bursting with potential.

Sophomore Rushel Shell rushed for 257 yards, reaching the end zone four times. Of Shell's four touchdowns, three were long runs of 56, 66 and 70 yards.

Knoch coach Mike King said Shell is a tough player to prepare for.

"He's good, but they have other guys on that team that are good, too," King said. "But you can't go into the game thinking you can't stop him and give up."

The Vikings racked up 437 yards of total offense, including 358 rushing yards.

The Vikings established their ground game early and Shell scored on a 4-yard run less than 2:30 minutes in.

Hopewell coach Dave Vestal said there are no secrets with his game plan.

"Everyone knows we're going to run the ball and play action pass," Vestal said. "But Shell is our workhorse and we're going to ride him."

The defense locked down on the Knights offense, limiting Knoch to 51 yards passing.

The Vikings defense also produced a key turnover in the first quarter.

Trailing 14-0, Knoch senior quarterback Jake McTighe's pass was intercepted by outside linebacker Dayne Smith, who returned the ball 35 yards for a score.

Smith recorded a tipped pass, a sack and an interception.

"Last year (Smith) played free safety for us and has also played defensive end," Vestal said. "He did a great job tonight and made some big plays for us."

After falling behind 41-0, Knoch found its way on the scoreboard when junior Adam Tuzikow took the ball up the middle for an 18-yard score.

The Vikings ended the scoring on a 2-yard run by Marcello Graziani.

King said he told his team not to hit the panic button.

"(The Vikings) had the momentum early and we couldn't stop it," King said. "They're a good team. This is going to make the kids want to work harder to become one of the best teams in Triple-A football."