JEFFERSON TWP — For the jugger-Knoch to continue, a juggernaut will have to fall.

Unbeaten Knoch (10-0) continues its quest toward Heinz Field with a 7:30 p.m. WPIAL Class AAA football quarterfinal kickoff against Thomas Jefferson Friday at Plum High School.

The Jaguars (7-3) have reached the WPIAL semifinal round every year since 1997. Thomas Jefferson won WPIAL titles in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and claimed state crowns during three of those years.

Bill Cherpak has been head coach at TJ since 1995 and has a 180-35 record there. The Jaguars enter Friday’s game victorious in 120 of their last 133 contests.

And the Knights couldn’t care less.

“Our kids are playing with absolutely no fear right now,” Knoch coach Mike King said. “Nothing is going to rattle them at this point.”

While Knoch is coming off a 28-7 first-round win over West Allegheny, TJ had to survive a 34-28 overtime decision against Greensburg Salem.

“We didn’t play well that night and, honestly, we didn’t deserve to win,” Cherpak said. “Our kicking game has been suspect and nearly cost us. We missed a field goal at the end (of regulation) to win it and had a punt blocked for a touchdown.

“We have to improve in that area this week if we expect to play on.”

By contrast, Knoch’s special teams were stellar last week as punter Dakota Bruggeman pinned the ball on the opponent’s 1-yard line twice as the Knights controlled field position throughout.

“We lost a playoff game to Hopewell in 2002 in which they broke two big punt returns on us,” King said. “You learn from stuff like that.

“We put in a lot of time on special teams, particularly fielding punts of late. Hopefully, that will pay off for us.”

Both teams have standout skilled players. TJ quarterback Dom Presto has completed 65 of 134 passes for 1,156 yards, 14 TDs and only two interceptions. Ryan Ruffing has 142 carries for 1,131 yards and 13 TDs.

Zach Schademan is the Jaguars’ leading receiver with 29 catches for 479 yards and five TDs.

“(Presto and Ruffing) are their go-to guys,” King said. “We still have to cover the run and the pass against this team.

“They are very smart in how they throw the football. They don’t force anything and they don’t make bad decisions. Our secondary is up for this challenge, though. I’ll put our kids back there up against anybody. We’ve got 12 interceptions this year and that’s big-time for us.”

Knoch quarterback Ky Kenyon has completed 47-of-97 passes for 891 yards, 17 TDs and six interceptions. He’s also carried 100 times for 735 yards and eight scores. Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin has 139 carries for 1,203 yards and 18 TDs.

Ben Tackett has 15 catches for 244 yards, Mac Megahan 11 for 307. Both have five TD catches.

“You don’t see too many high school offenses able to drive downfield, using 12, 14 or 15 plays without making a mistake,” Cherpak said. “Knoch has done that quite a bit.”

The Jaguars’ defense has been solid despite losing one of their best players — receiver-linebacker Nick Raimondi — to a knee injury in the season’s second week.

“We really don’t have a standout on that side of the ball,” Cherpak said. “It’s been a team thing.”

Schademan has five of the Jaguars’ 12 interceptons this year.

Friday’s winner gets the West Mifflin-Montour survivor in the semifinals next week.

“I don’t remember seeing a 16-team field as strong as this one,” King said. “But if you want to be the best, you want to play the best. We’re right in the thick of it right now and it’s where we want to be.”