JEFFERSON TWP — Montour played homecoming spoiler Friday night as the Spartans defeated Knoch, 14-7, in overtime in Northwest 8 Conference play.

Knoch (5-1) was handed its first loss of the season, while Montour improved to 2-4.

“We knew playing Montour, it was going to be a tough game,” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry said. “Their record doesn't show what they are. It was just a battle back and forth all night.”

The Spartans got on the board first halfway through the first quarter on a Gannon Kadlecik 4-yard touchdown run.

A battle of the defenses ensued heading into the second half.

“Give Knoch some credit,” Montour coach Lou Cerro said. “They're a good football team, that's why they were undefeated. We took advantage of our opportunities when we had to.”

A total of three turnovers occurred in the third quarter.

The third turnover put Knoch back in the game with a Matt Goodlin 7-yard interception return for a touchdown to tie the game heading into the fourth.

“No. 5 ( Goodlin) is a heck of a player,” Cerro said.

On the offensive side of the ball, Goodlin also ran the ball 22 times for 96 yards.

Both teams exchanged multiple punts in the fourth, which ultimately took the game into overtime.

Montour got the first possession of overtime and quickly got on the board with a Kadlecik 3-yard touchdown run to make the score 14-7.

“We knew we were just going to press the ball in,” Kadlecik said. “I knew my guys were going to get the blocks. Just play power football.”

The junior running back's overtime touchdown proved to be the game-winner, as Montour kept Knoch out of the endzone to complete the 7-point victory.

Kadlecik ended the day with 145 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.

Knoch ran the ball 38 times, totaling 148 yards.

The Knights added a few more passing plays this week to take pressure off the running game that had 50 rushing attempts last week against Ambridge for 320 yards.

“Today we decided to take a chance,” Mowry said. “Maybe try to catch them sleeping since we are such a run-based offense. We're working on some things and we'll get better at those things.”

Knoch quarterback Kam Grassi ended the day 5-for-12 with 35 yards and one interception.

Next week the Knights will square off against South Fayette (5-1), which defeated Blackhawk Friday night 34-14.

“South Fayette, they're the top dog in the conference,” Mowry said. “Everybody is gunning for them. We gotta beat those guys if we want a conference win and we still want to contend for that conference championship.”

Montour 7 0 0 0 7 — 14

Knoch 0 0 7 0 0 — 7

First Quarter

M — Gannon Kadlecik 4 run (Robert Rippole kick), 6:17

Third Quarter

K — Matt Goodlin 7 interception return (Justin Trisani kick), 3:32

Overtime

M — Kadlecik 3 run (Rippole kick)

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Montour, Gannon, Kadlecik 26-145, Dominic Magliocco 13-37, Jaiden Hill 1-(-3). Knoch, Matt Goodlin 22-96, Kam Grassi 8-14, Keith Washington 6-34, Joey Wojciechowski 2-4.

Passing: Montour, Dominic Magliocco 1-3-6-1, Gannon Kadlecik 1-4-13-0. Knoch, Kam Grassi 5-12-35-1.

Receiving: Montour, Andrew Rathway 1-13, Daniel Pintar 1-6. Knoch, Scott Fraser 1-6, Keith Washington 1-3, Brady McKee 1-0, Jared Schrecengost 1-17.