JEFFERSON TWP — A prime-time effort on prime-time TV.

That's what Knoch football coach Mike King is looking for when his Knights (4-1, 3-1) host Franklin Regional (4-1, 3-1) in a key Greater Allegheny Conference game at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The game will telecast live on ROOT Sports.

“It is a showcase game and I like that,” King said. “I'm glad ROOT Sports picked this game. There was a day when our program wouldn't even be mentioned for something like this.

“We feel like we can play with the top teams in Triple-A. We feel that's where this program belongs. But it's going to take our best game of the year to beat these guys.”

The Panthers have won four straight since a season-opening 21-17 loss to Mars. They have outscored Indiana, Highlands, Greensburg Salem and Belle Vernon by a margin of 149-10 over the last four weeks.

Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta expects no such lopsided margin this week.

“I'm seeing a close, hard-hitting, physical football game similar to last year's game,” Botta said.

Knoch edged the Panthers, 9-7, in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals last year on a 20-yard Kory Wood field goal on the game's final play.

“I'm sure revenge will be on their mind,” King said. “We better be strapped up and ready to go. We're probably the underdog this week and these kids haven't been an underdog for a while. They have to learn to play that role.”

Dane Brown, the Panthers' standout running back who has gained 3,300 yards the past two years, has been hampered by a nagging ankle problem this season and has just 274 yards on 36 carries.

Three other backs — Brett Zanotto, Nick Vento and Paul Emanuele — have combined to rush for 477 yards and just under 6 yards per carry. Eight Franklin Regional players have scored rushing touchdowns this year.

Nico Lodovico has thrown for 550 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 126 himself. Receiver Colin Jonov has eight catches for 294 yards. Five of his receptions have gone for touchdowns.

“He's been a big-play guy for us,” Botta said of Jonov. “I wish Dane was totally healthy, but we have gained some depth in the backfield. And Nico has developed into a true leader of our offense.”

Brown managed only 53 yards on 19 carries against Knoch last year.

“That was probably his lowest total all year,” King said. “I have a lot of faith in our defense, but we will have our hands full with this team. A lot of people projected Franklin Regional to win Triple-A this year.”

Defensively, the Panthers have a standout linebacker in Carter Henderson, who has 63 tackles, 38 solo stops and three quarterback sacks through five games. Charlie Singh has three interceptions.

Overall, the Panther defense has forced 14 turnovers.

“Henderson may be the best linebacker I've seen in 30 years,” Botta said. “He is tenacious, gets off blocks well and just has a nose for the football.”

Knoch's offense is led by running back Ben Tackett, who has 614 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing, six catches for 81 yards and a TD receiving. Fellow back Michael Cunningham has 240 yards and two TDs rushing, seven catches for 179 yards and three scores receiving.

Dakota Bruggeman has thrown for 530 yards and seven touchdowns. Tight end Luke Kroneberg has 11 catches for 203 yards and three TDs.

Bruggeman also has three of the Knights' six interceptions this season.

Knoch is coming off a 20-17 loss at Hampton.

“We're not going to score 40 points a night ... I wish we would, but it's not going to happen,” King said. “Hampton plays good defense and they're capable of beating anyone.

“It's time for us to move on. I'm expecting a hard-fought, physical game Thursday. It's a short week and you don't practice what you're going to do as much as how you're going to do it. It's going to be an exciting night.”

Knoch is 10-14-2 all-time against Franklin Regional.