MURRYSVILLE — Every team wants to start off its season with one thing.

A win.

That happened Friday night for Franklin Regional, at the expense of the visiting Knoch Knights.

The Panthers went into their locker room at halftime leading Knoch, 14-0. The first half featured little-to-no offense from either team, with the Panthers scoring two touchdowns, including one passing and one rushing by senior quarterback Santino Birty.

“I'm never overly confident, but I knew that if we did what we can do, we'd be able to score again,” Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta said. “I said to not be stubborn, so we started throwing the ball to open the game up in the second half.”

Birty's first of three passing touchdowns hit senior wide receiver Bradley Lucas right in the end zone, giving Franklin Regional a 7-0 lead. Birty's rushing touchdown later in the second quarter was good for 54 yards and a lead extension.

Birty continued his dominance in the second half with two more passing touchdowns. The first was a 76-yard catch and run to junior tight end Bennett Verona 18 seconds into the second half. Verona was also huge on defense, forcing a fumble in the first quarter and grabbing an interception in the second.

Birty's fourth and final touchdown was another long one, this time to senior tight end Todd Summers for 71 yards. Birty finished with 205 yards passing, one interception, 71 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

“I know he's capable of making great plays, even though, sometimes, he over-thinks things and makes the wrong plays,” Botta said. “I think tonight, he made a real good job with the decisions he made.”

The Panthers' fifth and final touchdown came on a 40-yard run from sophomore running back Stephen Johns in the third quarter.

On the other side of the field, the Knights struggled to score on offense. Sophomore quarterback Jake Herrit did everything he could to try and help Knoch score a touchdown, but was unable to overcome Franklin Regional's stifling defense. Herrit finished the game with 89 passing yards, 70 rushing yards and two interceptions.

“I think our defense was the story in the first half, but offensively we struggled,” Knoch coach Mike King said. “A good football team's going to take advantage of that, and they certainly did.”

However, it was Knoch's running game that couldn't get anything going. As a team, Knoch rushed for just 71 yards, while Franklin Regional finished with 173.

“I don't know if it was mental fatigue or what, but we're going to have to go back and take a look at the films and improve,” King said. “We have a conference game next week, and we just have to get better.”

Knoch will host Greensburg Salem next Friday.