JEFFERSON TWP — Hollidaysburg and Knoch don't know each other very well as football opponents.

But they know all they need — that both are undefeated early in the Greater Allegheny Conference season.

The Knights (3-0, 2-0) play host to the Tigers (2-1, 2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. It will be the first-ever varsity football game between the two schools.

“From what I see on film, they look pretty good to me,” Knoch coach Mike King said. “They shut out Greensburg Salem and we had a very competitive game with Greensburg Salem.

“If common opponents means anything, this should be a good one.”

Hollidaysburg opened the season with wins of 33-26 over Highlands and 24-0 over Greensburg Salem before suffering a 55-0 loss at Thomas Jefferson last week.

“They (TJ) have a lot of quality kids who can catch the ball and we just couldn't cover them all,” Tigers coach John Barton said. “They gave us fits through the air all night.”

TJ's Joe Carroll completed 11 of 16 passes for 245 yards and five touchdowns against Hollidaysburg.

“Hollidaysburg plays a 43 defense and most defenses in that formation will put six in the box and cover with five. They put seven in the box and tried covering with four,” King said. “I imagine we'll see some adjustment there against us.”

The Tigers may be more concerned with the Knights' ground game, however.

Knoch rushed for 437 yards in last week's 40-6 win over Derry Area. Ben Tackett had 246 yards and Mike Cunningham 124 on the ground.

“We weren't real happy with our offensive line play against Trinity the previous week and we challenged our O-line a bit last week,” King said. “I was pleased with the way they responded.

“Our coaching staff gives out a player of the week honor each game and we gave last week's award to the entire offensive line.”

That line consists of Eric Klein at left tackle, Matt Miller at left guard, Travis Fogel at center, Nate Anuskiewicz at right guard, Connor Shinsky at right tackle and Luke Kroneberg at tight end. Craig King saw action at left guard as well.

Tackett has 458 yards and 10 touchdowns on 45 carries, along with four receptions for 54 yards and a score. Dakota Bruggeman has thrown for 249 yards and a pair of TDs.

“I knew Ben was primed to have a nice senior season, but I didn't expect these kind of results,” King said. “I thought we'd be more balanced offensively than we have been so far.”

Balance has been the name of the game for Hollidaysburg.

Quarterback Brian Urban rushed for 148 yards on 24 carries against Highlands. Running back Reid Miller had 23 carries for 127 yards and two TDs against Greensburg Salem and Colton Ruggery led the ground attack last week with 55 yards.

Placekicker Eric Miller has already hit three field goals for the Tigers and Zane Brunner has a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown.

“There's been years when we've had the big horse and we rode him,” Barton said. “This year, we've got the mix. We run a spread and we utilize a lot of people.”

King said Hollidaysburg's spread is similar to his own.

“They use more formations, though, out of the shotgun,” King said. “They pinpoint the weakness in the defense that week and attack it.”

Knoch's defense has been led by nose guard Jonathan Whalen and end Anuskiewicz.

“Jonathan has been drawing double-teams to block him and that's been opening things up for our linebackers,” King said.