YORK RUN, Fayette County — One phrase best describes Knoch's arrival at paydirt Friday against Albert Gallatin — early and often.

The Knights scored four touchdowns in the first quarter alone and went on to defeat the overmatched Colonials 56-8.

“What I was most happy with tonight was we got to spread the ball around and a lot of kids made plays,” said Knoch coach Mike King. “Last week (in a 36-0 win over Brashear), we didn't play a full game. We seemed to be a bit out of shape. Tonight, we were strong the entire game.”

Knoch's dominance began with a defensive play. On the opening drive of the game, cornerback Alex Strezeski intercepted Marty Dodson's pass on a third-and-long play and returned it 35 yards for the game's first score.

Kory Wood added the first of eight extra points and the Knights were off and running.

“I read pass before the play and the next thing I know, they're running a quick slant and the ball's coming right at me,” Strezeski said of his first varsity defensive touchdown.

“He started for us last year on defense,” King said of the senior defensive back. “He's a kid who is under the radar, but shows up to practice every day and just works his butt off.”

Strezeski wasn't done.

Following quarterback Ky Kenyon's 15-yard scoring jaunt with 5:51 left in the opening period, a bad snap on a punt from Albert Gallatin gave the Knights a first-and-goal from the Colonials' 6. From there, Strezeski hauled in a strike from Kenyon for a 21-0 lead.

By the time the period was over, Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin joined the scoring spree with a 2-yard run.

For AG coach Jeff Rush, the beginning of the season has been frustrating to watch. His team suffered a 57-13 loss at Steel Valley in Week 1.

Earlier this week in practice, starting quarterback Richie Ohler went down with an injury and did not dress Friday night. Second-string signal caller Marty Dodson left the game early in the second period and the Colonials were down to their third-stringer, Cameron Angel.

“And we're a really, really young team,” said Rush. “But coach King is a great coach. He's a class act the whole way around.”

Mac Megahan (43) and Kenyon (53) added long touchdown runs in the second quarter before the Colonials finally turned in a productive drive.

Brandon Dice broke off a 61-yard run down to the Knights' 16. Three plays later, Angel hit wideout Robby Shea with a 23-yard touchdown pass. The same tandem converted the two-point conversion.

Despite the late score by AG, the Colonials were outgained 240-27 in the first half.

Kenyon added a short scoring pass to Mike Cunningham in the third quarter and the senior quarterback exited the game soon after, turning in a perfect night: 5-of-5 passing for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“Making plays consistently gives me a lot of confidence,” Kenyon said. “But I always have confidence in this offense. I expect us to do well.”

Knoch's Dakota Bruggeman and Stephen Oblich also saw time at quarterback for the Knights.

Ben Tackett's 14-yard run midway through the final period capped the scoring.

Knoch's march to the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs begins in earnest next Friday when the Knights travel to Valley in the Greater Allegheny Conference opener for both teams.