MURRYSVILLE — Knoch made Franklin Regional bend, but the Panthers never broke.

Despite consistently moving the chains, the Knights failed to light up the scoreboard during a 28-0 loss at Franklin Regional High School in a Greater Allegheny Conference tilt.

Knoch’s defense limited the Panthers to 10 first downs and 127 rushing yards.

“I thought our kids, defensively, did everything that they needed to do to win the football game,” said Knoch coach Mike King. “We need to score points and that’s an issue.”

The game was a grind-it-out slugfest for much of the first half.

Franklin Regional broke through when Charan Singh faked a handoff on second-and-inches and connected with Colin Jonov on a post pattern for a 39-yard touchdown with 5:18 remaining in the second quarter.

“We have some big playmakers and today our playmakers made plays,” said Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta. “That’s what football is about.”

The Knights (3-3, 2-3) responded with a march into Franklin Regional territory, but faced a third-and-2 at the Panthers’ 23-yard line. A 3-yard loss was followed by a false start penalty, before an incompletion on fourth-and-10 ended the threat.

Franklin Regional (5-1, 4-1) opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 63-yard scoring drive and capped it with a play-action pass from Singh to Casey Colagrande for 6 yards on a third-and-goal.

“We started taking a little more control in the second half,” Botta noted.

Knoch answered with another strong possession that fell short.

On a fourth-and-2 from the Panthers’ 22, Dan Farinelli lofted a pass to the front corner of the end zone, but Jim Larrimer couldn’t corral it as a defensive back swooped in.

“It’s all about capitalizing,” said King. “I do think we are moving the football and that’s what’s frustrating right now and for a variety of different reasons. You can’t just put your finger on one thing and say this is why we’re not scoring touchdowns.

“We are moving the football, we are running the football and we’re throwing it OK,” he added. “We just have to go back to work and keep on working.”

The Knights caught a break early in the fourth quarter when Franklin Regional receiver Jake Lauer fumbled at the 1-yard line while stretching for the goal line. The ball bounced out of the end zone for a touchback, giving Knoch possession at its own 20.

The chance for a late rally quickly unraveled.

Just three plays later, Singh picked off Farinelli and the Division I recruit returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-0 with 8:40 to play.

“That’s why he’s going to UMass,” said Botta of his standout senior. “They saw his ability.

“I saw him jump on that hitch and it was just beautiful,” he added. “That’s what he’s capable of doing.”

An interception from Jordan Kestler on the following Knoch drive set up Franklin Regional at the Knoch 14. Kevin Slezak rumbled into the end zone from 1 yard out to cap the scoring.

“Defense has always been our pride here,” said Botta. “I have a lot of respect for Knoch. Mike King is a good friend and I knew it was going to be a battle.”

Cody Milsom led the Knights with 89 rushing yards on 21 carries. Ben Lowery added 62 yards on the ground.

Knoch was outgained 259-250, but recorded three more first downs than the Panthers.

“Our game plan was to run the football and establish ourselves on the ground,” said King. “I thought we did that pretty well.

“I don’t think the scoreboard reflects the effort of our kids and the courage of our kids and their resolve to try and win a football game,” he added. “I give (Franklin Regional) a lot of credit. They’re a very good football team. They’re well coached. They delivered when they had to.

“That’s football, that’s life, we just have to hang in tough and come back strong next week.”