JEFFERSON TWP — Records don't matter.

Knoch's varsity football team only has to go back to last year to recognize the truth in that statement.

The Knights (5-0, 4-0) host Montour (1-4, 0-2) in a Northwest Eight Conference game at 7 p.m. Friday.

“They were winless when we played them last year and they found themselves against us,” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry said. “They beat us in a close game.

“That stuff happens in high school football. They've been competitive in their games so far this year.”

Montour's 35-33 victory over the Knights last season ultimately cost Knoch a playoff spot. The Spartans were a desperate team then.

They're also a desperate team now.

“This game is pretty much our season if we want to make the playoffs,” Montour coach Lou Cerro said. “If we lose this one, we're pretty much done.”

The Spartans return nine starters on both sides of the ball from last year's 3-7 team that missed the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in 12 years.

Three of the team's four losses are by a touchdown margin or less — 14-10 to Moon, 28-21 to New Castle and 29-21 to Blackhawk. Montour also dropped a 27-14 decision to Aliquippa.

“We've been right there. It's been a little frustrating not being able to get over the hump,” Cerro said.

Luke Persinger is a second-year starter at quarterback and has thrown for 785 yards. Dom Magliocco has 21 catches for 315 yards while Gannon Kadlecik leads the ground game with 233 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, Magliocco has three of his team's seven interceptions.

“That kid does a lot of things for them,” Mowry said.

Cerro described Magliocco as “the heart of our team.”

Defensive end Justin Labrie is 6-foot-4, 215 pounds while two-way lineman George Padezanin (6-4, 285) has received 10 college offers from Ivy League, Patriot League and Mid-American Conference schools.

“He's a special player for us,” Cerro said.

Knoch must overcome the loss of two-way starter James Johnston this week. The running back-linebacker is lost for the season after breaking a tibia and fibula in last week's 34-6 win at Ambridge.

“He just got rolled up on ... nothing dirty, just one of those things,” Mowry said. “We're going to miss James dearly and we'll have to shuffle some personnel around now on defense.

“We'll replace him by committee on offense.”

The Knights are moving Jared Schrecengost from cornerback to outside linebacker. Keith Washington and Kam Grassi will be the starting corners.

“Tyler Buterbaugh is a good blocker and he'll take over some of James' blocking duties on offense,” Mowry said.

Matt Goodlin turned an ankle last week, but is expected to start on Friday. He has 93 carries for 798 yards and 11 TDs on the year.

Grassi has only thrown a handful of passes, but connected with Scott Fraser for his third touchdown toss of the campaign last week.

“That's the way our offense is supposed to work,” Mowry said. “We don't throw the ball often, but when we do, it's pretty effective.”

“Montour's not afraid to fling the football around the yard. We have to be up to the task that way.”

Cerro said Knoch has its triple option attack down pat.

“They are running their system to a tee,” he said. “That team is on quite a roll right now. They're playing tremendous football.”

Montour leads the series between the teams 9-4, including wins of 34-21, 35-3 and 35-33 the past three years.