Knoch and roll
JEFFERSON TWP — Hollidaysburg quarterback Brian Urban dropped back to pass on third-and-6 and fired a bullet, hitting Mike Cunningham right in stride.
The only problem was the outside linebacker had on a Knoch uniform and took the pass 42 yards the other way for the opening touchdown.
After the pick-six, the Knights dominated both lines of scrimmage and got big nights from Cunningham and Dakota Bruggeman en route to a 35-0 homecoming night victory at Knoch Knights Stadium.
Knoch (4-0, 3-0) received the opening kick and was putting together a good drive until the Golden Tigers' Pat Ollinger started wreaking havoc in the Knights' backfield. Ollinger busted through the line on back-to-back plays and sacked Bruggeman, forcing a punt.
But it only took three plays for Cunningham to intercept the ball and scamper untouched down the sideline into the endzone.
“The first thing I do is always get hands on the second receiver, then I get into my drop” Cunningham said. “Once I saw him throw it, there I was.”
The interception helped set the tone on defense, as the Knights relinquished only 123 total yards on 46 plays. It was also the first of three interceptions on the night, the next two by Bruggeman.
Along with making the two picks, Bruggeman connected for three touchdown passes on 14 attempts, including finding Cunningham for a touchdown in the second half.
“Mike is what you want out of a veteran linebacker – somebody who can make big plays, ignite your team – then comes back with a big catch,” Knoch head coach Mike King said. “He had a tremendous game tonight, and you expect that out of a senior captain.”
Cunningham ended the game with the interception return touchdown, a receiving touchdown, 20 yards rushing and a sack that forced a punt.
Hollidaysburg (2-2, 2-1) was able to contain Knoch star running back Ben Tackett for most of the night, but he did manage to score his 12th touchdown of the season after a 47-yard reception by tight end Luke Kroneberg put the Knights inside the 10.
Kroneberg would eventually get inside the endzone twice, once on a middle screen to put the Knights up 21-0 before halftime and another on fourth-and-9 to finish off the scoring in the fourth quarter.
One of the lone bright spots for the Golden Tigers was the play of Ollinger, who sacked Bruggeman four times on the night and was a constant presence in the Knights' backfield.
“Pat's a very good football player and he loves to play defense,” Hollidaysburg head coach John Barton said. “He really stepped up tonight, and we just needed a few more.”
Knoch was able to rack up 337 yards of total offense, and the Knights committed just one penalty for five yards.
The win keeps the defending Greater Allegheny Conference champions undefeated in the section, with key games against Hampton and Mars looming.
As the Knights huddled on the field after the game, King reminded them of the history they shared with their “old friends.”
“We definitely need some work, but we got the new teams done with, and our old friends are coming back, like coach King said,” Cunningham said. “I'm excited for it.”
