Hampton is not all about Steve Paskorz. The Talbots proved that to Knoch last season.

They've proven it to the rest of the WPIAL so far this season.

Knoch (1-1) travels to Hampton (2-0) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday to face one of Western Pennsylvania's most potent offenses.

Paskorz rushed for a WPIAL-best 2,187 yards and scored 27 touchdowns as a sophomore last year - including five 200-yard rushing efforts - as Hampton averaged 33 points per game.

This year, a sprained ankle kept him out of the season-opener against Fox Chapel, which Hampton won, 19-0. Paskorz had just five carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns in a 70-6 thrashing of Mount Pleasant last week.

"He went 80 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball," Hampton coach Greg Mihalik said. "Steve is a phenomenal athlete."

Paskorz doubles as an outside linebacker defensively, but has yet to play there this season. He's listed as questionable defensively this week.

"I don't want to downplay Paskorz because he is a great back," Knoch coach Mike King said. "But our defense has been playing well and those guys get up for challenges like this."

The Knights limited Paskorz to 112 yards on 16 carries last season. He did not approach the 100-yard mark until the fourth quarter, when he scored on a 42-yard run.

Still, Hampton posted a 33-12 victory in that game.

"We led the WPIAL in scoring last year and got knocked out in the second round of the playoffs," Mihalik said. "I guess that showed what side of the ball wins championships.

"We've worked hard to shore up our defense and I like what I've seen so far."

The Talbots return nine starters from last year's defensive unit, including tackles Brad Kyle and Derek Gooden, who weigh 278 and 255 pounds, respectively. Linebackers Logan Bosilijever and Justin Kurkiewicz return as well.

Two of those returning starters - Paskorz and free safety Joe Cangilla - have not played defense yet this year because of injuries.

Hampton quarterback Bob Bartley has thrown for five touchdowns and more than 200 yards in two games. The Talbots had to replace some offensive linemen, but return all their skilled people.

"People talk about Paskorz, but Bartley may be a Division I player himself," Mihalik said. "He's 6-foot-3 and only a junior.

"Paskorz tried out for quarterback last year and is always a threat to throw the ball. Defenses are hesitant to charge at him in the backfield for that reason. Defenses load seven or eight guys in the box, and he still gets his yardage."

Knoch's defense has allowed only 17 points in two games. King lauded the play of linebacker Bill Elliott and cornerback Jordan Shoop last week.

"I'm confident in the abilities of our defense," King said. "But we have to play better offensively. Defense is going to be ahead of offense early in a high school football season because you're putting so much stuff in, but we have to put more points on the board."

Shoop has provided the bulk of Knoch's offense so far, throwing for 112 yards and rushing for 176. He owns both Knight touchdowns on the year, scoring on runs of 38 and 68 yards.

Alex Whisler has 109 yards rushing on 26 carries. He also has three receptions for 37 yards to lead the team in both of those categories.

Shoop has completed only 11 of 35 passes - including three of 17 last week - and has not thrown a touchdown pass.

"We haven't been executing in the passing game, and the line has provided protection for us to do so at times," King said. "Part of it is we've been using a couple of sophomore receivers in Rob Briggs and Kyle Reiser, and it takes time to develop continuity between quarterback and receiver.

"We get Joel Berger back (from injury) this week and that will help. He's our veteran receiver back from last year."

Lineman Mark Yoest remains sidelined with a concussion for Knoch.

"Their defense will be a test for us," Mihalik said. "Before last year, this game has been decided by no more than 10 points in recent years."