JEFFERSON TWP -- Knoch football team's defense was set up in the perfect position to impress first-year coach Brandon Mowry.

When the Knights opened the season against rival Hampton Friday at home, the Talbots were playing without starting quarterback Ian Andersson, who was out with an ankle injury.

The Knights' defense made the Talbots pay early in a game where yards were at a premium.

Knoch forced three fumbles on Hampton's first five offensive plays, recovering two of them, and rolled to a 24-0 victory.

“That kick-started us,” said Knoch running back Matt Goodlin, who rushed for 128 yards on 27 carries. “I think we came out strong on defense, anyways. Getting those extra little motivators helped us get through it. I think that also carried over to our offense.”

The Talbots didn't record a first down until Luke Lindgren converted a fourth-and-one with a 2-yard run with 7 minutes, 32 seconds left in the third quarter. This was Knoch's first shutout since a 56-0 win over Ambridge on Sept. 21, 2018.

The Knights outgained Hampton 170-134.

“The defense played tough in the scrimmage last week,” Mowry said. “Any time you put a zero on any team, especially a quality 5A team like Hampton, it's big. It's big. We're looking forward to getting to work and getting a little better next week for conference play.”

Hampton (0-1) turned the ball over four times — committing three fumbles and an interception — allowing the Knights to record 10 points off turnovers.

“No one is winning the game when you are turning the ball over four or five times, when you are playing on our side of the field the whole time,” Talbots coach Jacque DeMatteo said. “We were soft. It was simple as that. That's all I have to quote.”

Three plays in, Will Schuit caught a pass from Hampton sophomore quarterback Matt DeMatteo and had the ball stripped away. Knoch recovered on the Talbots' 31 and scored nine plays later. A 21-yard field goal from Justin Tristani gave the Knights' a 3-0 lead with 5 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Hampton's second drive suffered the same fate. Gage Galuska had the ball punched out after catching a short pass from DeMatteo. Knoch recovered and would convert the turnover into a touchdown on a 1-yard run by Kam Grassi with 11:17 left before halftime.

The Knights' third touchdown was also set up by misfortune for the Talbots. A high snap sailed over the punter's head into the Talbots' end zone. He picked the ball up and hurried a punt that landed at the Hampton 12, a one-yard effort.

Knoch took advantage of the field position three plays later. Goodlin scored on a 5-yard run, allowing the Knights to take a 17-0 lead into the break.

Grassi wrapped up the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds remaining.

This is the first in a stretch of three home games to open the season for Knoch. Goodlin believes this win can serve a springboard to a strong start in the conference opener against Blackhawk next week.

'This win is huge for us,” Goodlin said. “At Knoch, we haven't had the best starts. The key to having a great season is getting to a good start. This is huge.”

Hampton 0 0 0 0 — 0

Knoch 3 14 0 7 — 24

First Quarter

K — Justin Tristani 21 field goal, 5:30

Second Quarter

K — Kam Grassi 1 run (Tristani kick), 11:17

K — Matt Goodlin 5 run (Tristani kick), 1:04

Fourth Quarter

K — Grassi 13 run (Tristani kick), :33.5

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Hampton, Luke Lindgren 12-63, NJoe Liberto 4-14, Max Smith 4-11, Josh Andersson 2-10, Ben Horvat 2-5, Matt DeMatteo 3-(-16). Knoch, Matt Goodlin 27-128, Kam Grassi 12-42, James Johnston 7-7, Joey Wojciechowski 2-(-2).

Passing: Hampton, Matt DeMatteo 5-11-47-1. Knoch, Kam Grassi 1-2-8-0.

Receiving: Hampton, Michael Beraducci 1-25, Gage Galuska 3-19, Will Schuit 1-3. Knoch, Scott Fraser 1-8.