JEFFERSON TWP — In terms of offense, Knoch will meet its match.

In terms of defense, is Greensburg Salem overmatched?

That question will be answered at 7:30 p.m. Friday in their WPIAL Class AAA football playoff game at Knoch Stadium.

The Golden Lions (7-2) are averaging 34.4 points per game. All four playoff teams from the Keystone Conference average more than 32 per contest.

On defense, Greensburg Salem is one of six teams in the league allowing at least 21 points per game. Knoch's defense has permitted only two opponents — Fox Chapel and Highlands — to score 21 points.

"We had a number of good quarterbacks in our league this year," Greensburg Salem coach Casey Cavanaugh said. "Our league was definitely swayed toward offense.

"I know the Greater Allegheny Conference is known for hard-hitting defense, and Knoch is right up there with the best of them."

Cavanaugh would know. Now in his sixth year at Greensburg Salem, he coached the Golden Lions in 2006 and 2007 when they were Greater Allegheny Conference members.

The Knights defeated Greensburg Salem 22-7 and 35-7 in conference games those two years.

"We had a lot of trouble in that league," Cavanaugh admitted.

The Golden Lion offense has been giving its foes plenty of trouble in 2010. Running back Michael Kizzie set a single-season school record with 1,494 rushing yards. He has scored 19 touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Josh Falatovich has rushed for 591 yards and five TDs, averaging seven yards per carry. He has thrown for 1,000 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.

"Josh has been making good decisions back there. His numbers reflect that," Cavanaugh said.

The Golden Lions' pass receiving yardage is spread out. Mike Nowicki has 14 catches for 250 yards and two TDs, Kizzie 14 for 119 and one score, and tight end Dan Nacey 11 for 171 and six TDs.

"Their tight end is a big kid who provides a nice target for them," Knoch coach Mike King said. "But this is a run-first team. That's what they want to establish."

Cavanaugh said Knoch quarterback Ky Kenyon is similar in skills to Falatovich.

"Yeah, I can see that," King said. "They're both pretty versatile kids."

The Knights might have to go without fullback-inside linebacker Adam Tuzikow, who sprained an ankle against Mars last week and is questionable for Friday. King said Tuzikow is unlikely to practice all week.

Tuzikow has 572 yards rushing — second on the team to Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin's 967 — and leads the team in tackles.

"If he can't go, we'll move Andy Tuzikow to fullback and from outside linebacker to inside," King said. "We'll replace Andy on the outside with a couple of kids."

Kenyon has thrown for 710 yards, 13 TDs and five interceptions. He's rushed for 505 yards and four TDs.

Dakota Bruggeman has 14 catches for 337 yards and five TDs, an average of 24 yards per catch.

"That is a team with multiple weapons," Cavanaugh said. "Our defense is in for a challenge to match them."

Linebackers Travis Forrai, Jake Brumley and Raevaan Motley are two-year starters for the Golden Lions.

Greensburg Salem hasn't played a game on natural turf this season. Knoch's field is natural turf and the weather forecast Friday "is a nasty one," King said.

"We're fine with that," King said. "I have to believe a bad-weather game is an advantage for us.

"This (WPIAL Class AAA playoffs) is good football. It is a grind, a war of attrition. Every one of these teams has the goal of making a run to Heinz Field, and we're one of them."