Knoch and Mars are on a collision course in the Greater Allegheny Conference.

The Knights (4-0, 3-0) are averaging 35.8 points per game and are allowing seven. The Planets (4-0, 4-0) can top that, averaging 43.0 and giving up 7.3.

But both teams have business to tend to before they meet each other in two weeks — including critical road games Friday night. Knoch travels to Hampton (3-1, 2-1) while Mars heads to Greensburg Salem (1-3, 1-3).

“Our kids know what lies down the road,” Knoch coach Mike King said. “But that big game with Mars isn’t quite so big if we lose the games beforehand.”

The Talbots, led by coach Jacque DeMatteo, have a strong defensive line anchored by senior Noah Shulman.

“They have a terrific defensive line, one that has the ability to take control of a game,” King said. “We need to have a balanced attack and take care of the line of scrimmage.”

Knights quarterback Dakota Bruggeman is coming off a 137-yard, three-touchdown passing performance in Knoch’s 35-0 shutout of Hollidaysburg last week.

“That was needed,” King admitted. “Dakota is coming along nicely and so are our receivers. I could go right down the line — Ky Kenyon, Zach Gross, Jordan Shoop, Mark Rupert — none of those guys hit the ground running early in their careers at quarterback. They all had rough starts.

“We knew we’d have to throw against Hollidaysburg and it worked out.”

Mars is off to its best start to a season in 16 years.

Any football coach wants his team to be confident, just not too confident.

Veteran coach Scott Heinauer and his staff are making sure the Planets stay on the right side of that fine line.

“The coaches never let us get too high,” said senior wingback Alex Smith. “They make sure we know that no team can be taken lightly.”

“We have experienced players and that has a lot to do with it,” said Heinauer.

Last week, the Planets crushed Highlands 55-6 and the former has put up impressive numbers on both sides of the ball.

Sophomore fullback Josh Schultheis seems to be following in the footsteps of other great backs in program history. He currently has 597 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Smith has accounted for 204 yards on the ground and leads the team with 170 receiving yards while adding a total of four touchdowns.

“We have the option of giving the ball to Josh on any play,” said Smith. “Jason (Lozzi) and I are willing to do whatever it takes as wingbacks, whether it’s run the ball, catch it or throw a block. And Owen (Nearhoof) has worked really hard as our quarterback.”

Defensively, Mars has given up just 29 points all season, including 12 in the last three games combined.

Defensive coordinator Dave Goodworth has the unit playing fundamentally sound football.

“He prepares us so well,” said senior linebacker Billy Shrock. “We feel like we have an advantage on defense in every game we play.”

Shady Side Ac. (3-1, 3-1) at Freeport (3-1, 3-1) 7:30 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Shady Side Academy, Dave Havern; Freeport, John Gaillot

Last Week: Shady Side Academy fell to Burrell, 27-6;Freeport was edged by Valley, 9-8

Numbers: Shady Side Academy opened the season with three consecutive wins, outscoring its opponents by a 63-19 margin before last week’s defeat to the Bucs. ... QB Matt Granato has thrown for 299 yards and leads the SSA with 251 rushing yards and two TDs. ... Damon Smith and Lynch have rushed for 330 and 304 yards, respectively, this season for Freeport.

Notes: Freeport defeated the Indians 21-14 last season.

Franklin (1-3) at Karns City (2-2) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Franklin, Dave Smith; Karns City, Ed Conto

Last Week: Franklin was routed by General McLane, 63-26; Karns City lost to Union, 28-18

Numbers: Franklin QBKyle Ritchey has completed 40-of-77 passes for 730 yards and five TDs while Forrest Wested leads the rushing attack with 294 yards on 41 carries and four scores. ... Wested also leads the team with 18 catches for 273 yards.

Notes:The Gremlins surrendered 367 total yards last week and the final two scores of the game. Despite a torn ACL, Karns City RB Glenn Toy added five carries for 32 yards.

Clarion (4-0, 2-0) at Union (4-0, 2-0) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Clarion, Larry Wiser; Union, Dave Louder

Last Week: Clarion routed Moniteau 56-14, while Union picked up a 28-18 win over Karns City.

Numbers: Clarion’s rushing attack is led by Damien Slike (243 yards and three TDs on 22 carries) and T.J. Armstrong (178 yards and five TDs on 34 attempts). ... Cody Kline has paced the Golden Knights’ ground game with 286 yards and two TDs on 63 carries.

Notes: The Golden Knights are 4-0 for the first time since 1985 after earning their first win over Karns City since 1995.

Grove City (3-1, 2-1) at Greenville (2-2, 2-1) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Grove City, Jeff Bell; Greenville, Brian Herrick

Last Week: Grove City fell to Hickory 41-12 while Greenville beat Sharon 14-7.

Numbers: The Eagles are averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season after gaining nearly 10 yards per rushing attempt last season. ... RB Foster Reznor leads GC with 264 yards on the ground. ... Greenville RB Tyler Fattman paces the Trojans with 341 yards rushing.

Notes: GC was without senior RB Harold Price last week. It is unknown if he will be back this week. ... The Eagles beat the Trojans 48-7 last season.

Redbank (0-4, 0-2) at A-C Valley (1-3, 1-1) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Redbank Valley,Ed Wasilowski; A-C Valley, Brad Dittman

Last Week: The Bulldogs lost 54-0 to visiting Farrell while A-C Valley fell 24-6 at Punxsutawney.

Numbers: FB/LB Brandon Bailey is all over the field for Redbank Valley. The senior leads the team with 231 rushing yards and also has nine catches for 119 yards. On defense, he’s made 31 tackles, recovered a fumble and even blocked a field goal. ...The Falcons tallied 52 of their 202 offensive yards last week in the game’s final minute.

Note: A-C Valley last defeated the Bulldogs in 1997 (48-14).

Brookville (3-1, 1-1) at Moniteau (0-4, 0-1) 7 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Brookville, Chris Dworek; Moniteau, Jeff Campbell

Last Week: Brookville trounced Keystone 42-13, while Moniteau was downed 56-14 by Clarion.

Numbers: Brookville QB Cameron Yard threw for two touchdowns last week. ... Moniteau’s Dustin Geagan leads the Warriors with 261 rushing yards on 71 carries. ... Andrew Armagost has paced the Warriors on defense with a team-leading 46 tackles and four sacks.

Notes: Brookville coach Chris Dworek earned his 100th career victory last week, 96 of which have come with the Raiders. ... Brookville leads the all-time series 20-11.

Summit Acad. (1-2, 2-2) at Ford City (2-2, 2-2) 7:30 p.m., Friday

Coaches: Summit Academy, Steve Sherer; Ford City, John Bartolovic

Last Week: Summit Academy was blanked by Kittanning, 28-0; Ford City dispatched Southmoreland, 35-14

Numbers: Ford City RBDevan Willyard has rushed for 382 yards and three scores. Justin Retzer hauled in a 68-yard scoring pass from David Lattanzio, who completed 3-of-6 passes for 96 yards. ... The Sabers built a 28-0 halftime lead against the Scotties. ... The Knights’ Chris Harp failed to connect on any of his 10 passes in the Allegheny Conference loss. Robert Burton led the team with 60 rushing yards.

Notes: Ford City edged Summit Academy 21-20 last season, which dealt a big blow to the Knights’ playoff chances.