JEFFERSON TWP — There is a new coach and a new beginning for Hollidaysburg's football program this season.

Knoch is hoping for an old result when the Knights (2-1, 1-1) visit the Golden Tigers (1-2, 1-1) in a Greater Allegheny Conference game at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Knights defeated Hollidaysburg, 35-0, last season.

“That's a long bus trip and I'm sure they were affected by it some last year in coming to our place,” Knoch coach Mike King said. “Hopefully, going out there, the same thing won't happen to us.

“Our league is becoming a scramble and Hollidaysburg is part of that. We need to be focused on each game as it comes. That's the way we have to play it.”

Hollidaysburg finished 3-7 during its debut season in the Greater Allegheny Conference last year and returns only a handful of starters. First-year coach Homer DeLattre served as head coach at District 10 Corry for 11 years, posting an 8-3 mark last season.

Hollidaysburg's football program has 592 wins in its history, that total ranking among the top in the WPIAL.

“They've had some great teams there,” King said.

The Tigers are coming off a 45-12 loss to Thomas Jefferson. They dropped their oppener, 33-14, to Highlands before defeating Greensburg Salem, 36-6. Greensburg Salem edged the Knights, 20-14, in their opener.

“Knoch could easily be undefeated right now,” DeLattre said. “They got off to a slow start that night and it cost them.

“They made more mistakes in that game than their last two games combined — and still almost won.”

The Knights followed up their 20-14 loss at Greensburg Salem with wins of 19-7 over Trinity and 58-7 over Derry Area. Neither of those teams has won a game yet.

Dan Farinelli has thrown for 357 yards and five touchdowns for Knoch. Cody Milsom has 362 yards rushing and five TDs while Ben Lowery has added 137 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Jim Larrimer has seven receptions for 184 yards and four TDs while Connor Shinsky has caught five passes for 100 yards.

“Cody is developing into a great back, but we spell him sometimes with Ben, who is also very capable,” King said.

“We're getting better and better. We wanted to establish a running game against Trinity and we did that. Last week, we wanted to work on passing because we've got some big receivers who can go get the ball — and we're going to need that versatility.”

Defensively, King cited the play of Sam Whalen — “probably the smallest nose guard in the league, but he's tough as nails” — and ends Ty Gornick and Shinsky.

Hollidaysburg quarterback Josh Bickley has completed 19-of-29 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns. All of those scoring passes have landed in the hands of Ryan Waltz, who has nine catches for 261 yards.

Reid Miller leads the Tigers' ground attack with 160 yards on 41 carries.

“They've become comfortable with each other and they work well together,” DeLattre said of his passing combo.

“They've made a commitment to throwing the football and they've made big plays that way,” King said.

Defensively, the Tigers are led by linebackers Colton Ruggery and Zach Weaver with 26 and 24 tackles, respectively.

Special teams play has hurt the Tigers, however.

“It's cost us points,” DeLattre said. “We've had a bad snap on a punt, failed to field a kickoff, stuff like that. We have to avoid giving up a cheap score this week if we expect to win.”