JEFFERSON TWP - Knoch kept its football playoff hopes alive Friday night with a 20-14 Greater Allegheny Conference victory over Indiana at Knights Stadium.

"This win was huge for us," said Knoch coach Mike King, whose team improved its record to 3-5 overall and, more importantly, to 3-2 in the conference.

"That's what I told the team coming into this week," said King. "Nonconference games don't mean anything toward the playoffs, and we finish tonight at 3-2, which is a winning record."

The Knights got a break late in the second quarter, when senior linebacker Ray Tyler stripped the ball from Indians running back James Cavalancia deep in Indiana territory.

Knoch took advantage of the good field position and reached the scoreboard first on a 14-yard touchdown run by senior David Bergamasco.

"We had real good field position early in the game, and that fumble really helped," King added.

Knoch scored when Quarterback Jordan Shoop floated a pass from 6 yards out and hooked up with 6-foot-8 senior receiver Ryan Hollihan with 11 seconds remaining until halftime.

The Indians started to gain some momentum in the fourth quarter with two quick first downs on their first scoring drive.

A touchdown run by quarterback Derek Wisnieski with 10:56 left punctuated the drive.

Knoch roared back when Shoop connected on a 55-yard strike to senior wide receiver Curtis Compton.

"We knew (Shoop) was going to make some big plays tonight," Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas said. "We had people in position to cut him off, but the kid is an athlete."

Indiana put together another scoring drive late in the game, when Wisnieski fired a bullet to senior fullback Craig Broadbent who took the ball 52-yards.

The drive culminated in a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown with just 2:58 left.

Knoch managed to control the ball and run out the rest of the clock.

"I am really proud of these guys," King said. "They keep on fighting and do everything we ask of them.

Notes:

Shoop finished the game with 117 yards passing. … Bergamasco led the Knights with 76 yards rushing.