Knoch runs to 52-0 win
JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch continued to roll Friday night, defeating Albert Gallatin, 52-0, in its football home opener.
The Knights, now 2-0 after defeating Brashear 56-7 last week, were again led by their ground game, which accumulated 347 yards.
The reason for the rushing attack's success, Knoch coach Mike King said, was great blocking by the offensive line.
Led by senior tackle and captain James Zellhart, the line features seniors Mason Roberts, Joshua Graham, Benjamin Lesniak and William Hlebiczki.
"They are tremendous tacticians. They know what to do and they have great technique," King said. "They are blowing holes wide open out there for them."
Junior Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin was the prime beneficiary, finishing with 122 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries. That brings his season total to 266 yards and eight touchdowns.
Also knifing through the Colonials' defense was senior captain Adam Tuzikow, who finished with 87 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.
"Tuzi had some nice runs in the third quarter. I didn't give him the rock for him to score the touchdown, but he got the ball down there," King said. "I said, 'Sorry about that. Maybe I should have given you the ball to score the touchdown.' He goes 'No, it doesn't matter to me. It used to, but not anymore.' Tuzi and Andrew are such great guys to have back there."
The outcome was never in question for the Knights, whose defense looked impressive as well. They held Albert Gallatin senior running back Grayling Sanders, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, to 64 yards on 13 carries.
The Colonials, from the Class AAA Keystone Conference, dropped to 0-2 and never got their triple-option offense rolling, gaining only 103 yards and five first downs.
King is excited to start his team's Class AAA Great Allegheny conference schedule next week against Valley (0-2).
"The Greater Allegheny Conference is one tough conference," King said. "That's no disrespect to our first two opponents, but Hampton, Mars, Highlands, those teams are going to be ready for us and we've got to be ready for them."
