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FREEPORT — Two disappointed teams. Two talented teams.

Two neighboring teams.

Knoch (6-3) travels to Freeport (3-5) for a non-section football game to end the regular season Friday night. The Yellowjackets are out of the WPIAL playoff picture while the Knights need a win and a New Castle loss to Ambridge to enter the postseason.

“That may not be a good situation for us,” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry admitted. “But it's great to be playing a rivalry game this week.

“A lot of these kids know each other from other sports. There's definitely familiarity here.”

Freeport coach John Gaillot agreed.

“This is like playing your brother,” Gaillot said. “Our coaching staffs know each other well. We get along great with their track coaches, too.”

Freeport leads the series between the teams 11-3-2, though Knoch claimed a 26-7 victory in last year's contest.

The Knights will be without leading rusher and tackler Matt Goodlin, lost a couple of weeks ago to a broken elbow. Knoch threw the ball effectively in last week's 17-14 win at Trinity.

“We knew that'd be a tough game and (quarterback) Kam Grassi was able to make some plays to Scott Fraser and Schrec (Jared Schrecengost) in the passing game.

“We've run the ball well all year. Now I feel like we've finally balanced things out.”

Gaillot described Goodlin “as one of the best running backs I've seen.”

He acknowledged the Knights bring plenty else to the table.

“Those receivers are play-makers and No. 4 (Keith Washington) is a speedy back. They will be a challenge for us,” Gaillot said.

“We treat every game like it's a playoff game. Our starters will play the whole game.”

That means Knoch will get a steady dose of versatile quarterback Garret Schaffhauser (1,222 yards and 11 TDs passing, 454 yards and 8 TDs rushing), along with running back Ricky Hunter and receiver Brodey Woods.

Hunter has rushed for 637 yards, caught passes for 231, leads the team with 1,305 all-purpose yards and in tackles with 50, along with being the Yellowjackets' kicker.

“I'm so proud of that kid,” Gaillot said. “He's put together an amazing season for us.”

Woods has 32 catches for 467 yards and six touchdowns.

“Woods is a dangerous receiver and they line him up in a lot of different formations,” Mowry said. “We always have to be wary of where he is.”

Mowry lauded the play of freshman Jake Murphy, who replaced Goodlin at linebacker last week and had double-figure tackles. Fraser at safety and Tyler Buterbaugh excelled at linebacker.

Justin Tristani has booted 30 of 32 PATs and three field goals for Knoch this season.

Hunter will be kicking in the East-West high school all-star game in Florida in January.

“His parents took him to a lot of camps. Ricky worked hard for that honor,” Gaillot said.

Kickoff Friday is 7 p.m.