PLUM — Failing to make explosive plays wasn't what hampered the Knoch football team's offense Friday night at Plum Stadium.

The Knights had two first-quarter opportunities to capitalize on drives deep into Plum territory, but were turned away twice on fourth-and-short.

The Mustangs turned both of those defensive stands into quick touchdowns en route to a 39-0 Greater Allegheny Conference victory.

“We were able to move the ball the first couple drives, but we couldn't finish there,” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry said. “That's been our problem all year, we've been talking to the kids about. We have to be able to finish and complete some things.”

Jake Murphy set Knoch up in a good position by returning the game's opening kick-off to the Plum 45. The Knights moved the ball to the Plum 26 before Keagan Fraser was stopped a yard short of the first-down marker on a fourth down.

“We actually got a couple guys back this week, Jack Majors is a defensive tackle for us and he's hard to move inside,” Mustangs coach Matt Morgan said. “He made a big play. We played a complete team game.”

Mustangs running back Eryck Moore used the momentum swing as an opportunity to start his showcase performance. Moore took a handoff on the next play, bounced outside and raced 74 yards for a touchdown.

Before limping off with an injury late in the first half, Moore finished with 223 yards rushing and three touchdowns on nine carries.

“He really took it over,” Morgan said. “There were a couple times we had good blocking. There were a couple times he made the plays himself. He's a special guy and if you give him a seam he can take it to the house anytime.”

On Knoch's drive following Murphy's first touchdown, Murphy hauled in a 35-yard pass from Codi Mullen on another deep drive. Fraser was stopped an inch short, gaining two of the three yards he needed on fourth-and-three.

Plum then marched 75 yards in six plays, stretching the Mustangs lead to 13-0 on a 1-yard run by Moore.

Plum scored two more touchdowns in the second and third quarters. Sean Franzi finished with 234 passing yards and threw two touchdown passes for the Mustangs.

Knoch's offense stalled out after the first two possessions. The Knights were limited to 110 yards and had their best drive in the rest of the game halted by a Logan Brooks interception in the third quarter.

Gavin McGowan led Knoch with 38 rushing yards.

“The big thing is we have good personnel we can move around,” Mowry said. “Cody Mullins stepped in and Jake Murphy played running back tonight. We'll see how things go from here with where Keagan is.”

The Knights are hoping to finish strong in the last few games.

Knoch is hoping its younger players will take advantage of their opportunities to play.

“The kids have to keep working hard,” Mowry said. “There's a lot of guys playing and a lot of going both ways. I told them in the huddle tonight, I need the young guys to step up. We're going to need everybody these last two weeks.”

Knoch 0 0 0 0 — 0

Plum 13 13 13 0 — 39

First Quarter

P — Eryck Moore 74 run (Angelo Baleno kick), 8:02

P — Moore 1 run (pass failed), 1:15

Second Quarter

P — Moore 45 run (kick failed), 3:32

P — Samo Pitts 17 pass from Sean Franzi (Baleno kick), :05.7

Third Quarter

P — Nicholas Odom 2 run (Baleno kick), 10:01

P — Logan Brooks 61 pass from Franzi (kick failed), 2:17

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Knoch, Gavin McGowan 9-38, Keagan Fraser 11-26, Codi Mullen 2-15, Sam Skurka 4-14, Exzavier Johnson 4-12, Keaton Oprosky 1-1. Plum, Eryck Moore 9-223, Daerin Nelson 2-13, Santino Saccone 1-8, Nicholas Odom 4-7, Sean Franzi 4-6, Cy Thompkins 1-(-2).

Passing: Knoch, Codi Mullen 2-7-42-1. Plum, Sean Franzi 10-15-234-0, Santino Saccone 0-1-0-0.

Receiving: Knoch, Jake Murphy 1-35, Exzavier Johnson 1-7. Plum, Logan Brooks 4-79, Samo Pitts 2-70, Darin Nelson 2-43, Eryck Moore 1-26, David Westrick 1-14.