JEFFERSON TWP — Timing isn't working out for Knoch's football team this season — so far.

The Knights (0-2) — outscored by an 82-13 margin by traditional Class AAA powers Hopewell and Blackhawk — now head to Quad-A Peters Township for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday.

The Indians are 2-0 and return seven starters on both offense and defense.

"The kids have been working hard and we started a bunch of sophomores last year," said third-year Peters Township coach Nick Milchovich. "Year 1 was a transition year. Year 2 we went with young kids.

"Year 3 is all my guys. They don't know anybody else."

Peters Township finished 3-6 and 2-7 in Milchovich's first two seasons.

Junior quarterback Austin Hancock threw for 1,400 yards last season and has thrown for 233 yards, rushed for 130 through two games this year.

Sophomore running back Andrew Erenberg, a transfer from Central Catholic, has 267 yards rushing and senior receiver Brandon Hoffman had 10 catches against Knoch in last year's 20-7 Knights' victory.

"Our defense has gone back to the basics this week," Knoch coach Mike King said. "We're keeping things fairly simple. In recent weeks, we've thrown a lot of stuff at a very young football team.

"This week, instead of trying to do things A through G, we just want to do A, B and C very well. That's our philosophy right now."

King said quarterback-linebacker Jake McTighe, as well as linemen Micah Lio and Corey Pelkofer, are maintaining solid senior leadership through trying times.

"We have to keep looking at the big picture and that takes persistence and perseverance," King said. "Tough times don't last. We'll get through this and we'll be a better team for playing this type of competition.

"Physically, we're fine. No one's gotten hurt. If we get through this mentally, and I think we will, this team is going to be OK."

Peters Township beat Ringgold 29-15 and Kiski Area 34-14 thus far this year.

"Knoch always has physical, tough kids," Milchovich said. "Believe me, we're not taking them for granted. We're expecting a struggle Friday night."

Hickory (1-1, 1-0) at Slippery Rock (0-2, 0-1) 7 p.m., Friday

After facing Oil City and its high-powered passing attack, the Rockets will have to face another in the Hornets and quarterback Tyler Gargano. ... Hickory wide receiver Elrico Jones has caught five passes for 60 yards and a TD in the first two games. ... Meanwhile, Slippery Rock has completed just two passes in its first two games. ... "We've been working on the passing game all week," said Slippery Rock coach Glenn Hazlet. "We have to be able to protect and catch better. We're trying to build a little confidence." ... The Rockets' running game has been good. Tailback Justin Angerett has gained 131 yards on 21 carries and quarterback Ayron Gallagher has gained 115 yards on the ground already this season despite losing yardage on sacks.

Brookville (0-2, 0-1) at Karns City (2-0, 1-0) 7 p.m., FridayJunior quarterback Dylan Hipple has emerged as a solid signal caller for the Gremlins, completing 11-of-17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns this season. "I think he's going to be a premiere quarterback if he keeps developing," said Karns City coach Ed Conto of Hipple. ... After a slow start, Karns City handled Union 39-2 last week. ... In the season opener, Brookville beat Union 54-34, but later had to forfeit the game to the Golden Knights because it used an ineligible player. ... Brookville put up 34 more points last week, but gave up 40 in a loss to Bellefonte. ... The Gremlin defense held Union to 54 yards passing and also had three interceptions.

Freeport (1-1, 1-1) at Apollo-Ridge (1-1, 1-1), 7:30 p.m., FridayThe Vikings defeated Summit Academy 23-13, thanks to a 174-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance by Eean Smith as well as two safeties recorded by the defense, which blanked the Knights in the second half. ... The Yellowjackets lost a tough 20-14 decision to Shady Side Academy. ... Derek Durand caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Alex Isenberg and Marcell Ittner took a kickoff return 69 yards in the third quarter to give Freeport a 14-7 lead ... Freeport defeated Apollo-Ridge 25-0 last season.

Moniteau (1-1, 1-1) at Punxsutawney (0-2, 0-1), 7 p.m., FridayThe Warriors defeated the Chucks 42-6 last year. ... Moniteau RB James Shope rushed for 155 yards and four TDs in 44-26 win over Clarion-Limestone last week. ... Moniteau has allowed 72 points in two games, but Punxsy has scored only 21 points in its two contests, losing 20-13 to Karns City and 25-8 to DuBois. ... Alan Nichol is in his first year as head coach of the Chucks. ... QB Logan Weaver and WR Braedon Pennington have formed a solid passing combo for Punxsy. Weaver has completed 13 of 36 passes for 194 yards while Pennington has eight catches for 111. ... Moniteau sophomore QB Kyle Armagost rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown and threw a TD pass last week.

Clarion-Limestone (0-2, 0-2) at A-C Valley (0-2, 0-2), 7 p.m., FridayThe Lions look to get their running game on track after tallying zero yards on 22 attempts in last week's 44-26 loss to Moniteau. ... In that game, C-L quarterback Dan Miller threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns. ... A-C Valley did post 114 rushing yards in last week's 63-8 loss to Clarion, led by Justin Loll's 26 carries for 79 yards. ... Quarterback Michael Orrvick has scored both of the Falcons' touchdowns this season. ... The Lions defeated A-C Valley last year, 21-12.

Union (0-2, 0-2) at Redbank Valley (1-1, 1-1), 7 p.m., FridayThe Bulldogs fell to Keystone 24-21, thanks to a 21-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to break a 21-all tie. ... Quarterback Shiloh Buchleitner passed for 85 yards (4 of 13) and rushed for 48 more to lead Redbank while Zach Dubia caught five passes for 95 yards. ... Zach Traister led Union with 50 yards rushing on 10 carries in a 39-2 loss to Karns City. Traister and Taylor Smith each grabbed three passes. ... Union's score came on a first-quarter safety.

Summit Academy (0-2, 0-2) at Burrell (2-0, 2-0), 7:30 p.m., FridayThe Bucs are coming off a 42-6 victory over Deer Lakes and have outscored their opponents 105-6. ... John Gigler scored three times, including one on an interception return, while quarterback Camren Nelson completed 15 of 19 passes for 105 yards, one touchdown passing and one rushing. Dave Yakopec caught six of those passes for 124 yards and one score. The Bucs defense forced five turnovers. ... The Knights fell to Apollo-Ridge 23-13 after the Vikings outscored Summit Academy 11-0 in the final quarter. ... Troy Vickers scored on a 63-yard run and Richard Hitch caught a Quran Reaves scoring pass for the Knights.

Grove City (2-0) at Wilmington (2-0) Saturday, 7 p.m.The defending Class AA state champion Greyhounds have picked up in 2009 right where they left off in 2008. ... Senior running back Derrick Burns has gained 301 yards on just 20 carries and has scored four touchdowns already this season. ... Grove City has four running backs with more than 100 yards rushing, led by Nick Reddick with 137 yards. ... Grove City hasn't beaten Wilmington since 2004. The Eagles won that game 21-0 and made it all the way to the state title game.