This is one in a series of articles previewing Butler County high school football matchups this weekend.JEFFERSON TWP — No secret: Armstrong throws the football.Even if coach Frank Fabian isn't crazy about that philosophy.“It's not my preference, but our personnel lends itself that way,” Fabian said. “We have a good young quarterback, experience at receiver, and a young offensive line.“We've got three kids starting up front who weren't offensive linemen last year. Our most effective way of moving the ball right now is to throw it.”The River Hawks (1-1) expect to do plenty of it when they visit Knoch (0-2) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday. The game will mark only the second meeting between the schools on the gridiron.Armstrong defeated Knoch, 41-15, in Kittanning in 2015.“It's been a couple of years since we've played a game on grass,” Fabian said. “I'm an old-school guy, though, so I think I'm going to enjoy it.“We're not expecting bad weather that night, so it shouldn't be much of a factor.”Cadin Olsen, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, has thrown for 508 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Jesse Hepler is Armstrong's leading receiver with five catches for 160 yards. Isaiah Brown, a freshman, has eight catches for 88.The River Hawks have amassed only 143 yards rushing in two games, averaging three yards per carry. They were shut out by Hampton (17-0) last week.Knoch is coming off a tough 13-12 loss at Greensburg Salem. Running back Keegan Fraser suffered a high ankle sprain late in that game and will not be available Friday.Fraser ran for 102 yards before getting hurt. Keith Washington filled in for him and rushed for 55 yards.“Keith took over that role last year when Mat Goodlin went down,” Knights coach Brandon Mowry said. “I think we'll be just fine there.“We moved the ball much better last week. We had a PAT blocked and got stopped on a two-point conversion. Then we couldn't get the lead back in the second half.”Mowry said nose guard Dalton Reed had a strong game in Greensburg.“He wreaks havoc with centers and guards. It usually takes two guys to block him,” Mowry said. “He clogs up the line a lot and can pressure the backfield.“We're going to need more of that from him Friday.”The Knights' experience up front is a concern for Fabian.“We don't have size or experience on our lines,” he said. “I don't know how well we can match their physicality.“It seems like their strengths are our weaknesses and our strengths are their weaknesses. It's an intriguing matchup that way.”Mowry is looking for more positive progress this week.“We have to eliminate mental mistakes,” he said. “We can't take offsides penalties and put ourselves in a hole. Down and distance are key. We want to get four or five yards per run.”Armstrong is facing the triple option for the second time in three weeks. The River Hawks defeated Indiana, 21-7, in their opener.“We've seen it, but Knoch has seen how we defend it,” Fabian said.

The Eagle sports staff's third season of Upon Further Review, a weekly show discussing Butler County area high school football, can be viewed on the Butler Eagle Sports Facebook page.