JEFFERSON TWP — The numbers put up by the Knoch football team are staggering.

• 338 points scored, 76 allowed.

• The school record for points in a game surpassed three times with single-game outputs of 56, 62 and 56.

• 35 rushing touchdowns

• 12 passing touchdowns

Two digits would surpass all of those, however: 9-0.

Knoch is looking for its first outright Greater Allegheny Conference title since 1992 and its first perfect regular season when the Knights invade Mars (7-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

"We were unbeaten my sophomore year (1979), but we tied a game," Knoch coach Mike King said. "This would be a pretty special achievement."

But it won't be an easy one.

Mars is riding a seven-game winning streak and defeated the Knights, 7-3, to close out the regular season last year.

"That was a hard-hitting, physical, defensive football game," King said. "I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same type of game.

"We know what they like to do. They know what we like to do. When you have the veteran kids we do, the temptation's there to add new wrinkles, come up with a surprise," he added. "But you can outcoach yourself that way. I've been guilty of that in the past."

Senior fullback-linebacker Adam Tuzikow remembers last year's loss and is eager to gain some retribution.

"We've been working toward this game ever since," Tuzikow said. "Getting the conference championship, we knew we'd have to go through Mars.

"Now it's right in front of us, right there for both teams. We want to take it to them," he added.

Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin leads the Knights with 924 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing. Tuzikow has 520 yards and five scores.

Quarterback Ky Kenyon has thrown for 621 yards and 11 TDs, and he rushed for 461 yards and four TDs. Dakota Bruggeman is Kenyon's favorite target with 10 catches for 285 yards and four scores.

"This game will come down to execution," King said. "Both defenses will hit hard. The offense that's able to execute its game will probably win.

"No doubt these kids will remember this game forever. I remember my high school games more than my college games, mainly because of the local rivalries," the coach added.

A sign hangs along a fence near Knoch's practice field consists of a single word: Believe.

"That sign showed up here in 2007 and now it's back," King said, smiling. "Some nice little elves must have put that up."

King said the key to victory Saturday is to move the ball.

"Our offense has to stay on the field. We need to be satisfied with 4-yard gains," he said. "Both teams know what it takes to win a game like this: great defense and ball control."

Here are Knoch's first eight steps toward a potentially perfect regular season:<B>Date Opponent Score</B>Sept. 3 Brashear 56-7Sept. 10 Albert Gallatin 52-0Sept. 17 Valley 62-0Sept. 24 Fox Chapel 40-21Oct. 1 Hampton 17-14Oct. 8 Indiana 27-7Oct. 15 Kittanning 56-6Oct. 22 Highlands 28-21