Knoch football coach Mike King put it best when talking about Friday's game against Indiana.

"It's do or die," he said. "It's Senior Night, our last home game. It's time to get it done."

The Knights (2-5, 2-2) are coming off two lopsided losses as they prepare to host the Indians (5-2, 3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

"Our kids understand the importance of this game," King said. "If we win, we put ourselves in solid position for the playoffs. There's a good chance that three section wins will get us in.

"We don't want to put ourselves in a position where we have to go to Pine-Richland and win."

While Knoch is coming off losses of 35-7 and 32-0 to Plum and Franklin Regional, respectively, Indiana is riding a streak of three successive Greater Allegheny Conference victories - 21-13 over Hampton, 37-8 over Keystone Oaks and 17-0 over Highlands.

"We don't worry about games we've already played," Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas said. "This is a big game for us and we know it's a big game for Knoch."

Indiana's streak of success doesn't bother King too much. He's just happy to be playing a team his own size.

"We match up well that way for a change," King said. "We've played our share of big boys in Moon, Hampton and Franklin Regional.

"Indiana presents a lot of things to prepare for. They have a big, strong quarterback who is a tough runner. They run a lot of single-back, spread offense and put a lot of people in motion. And they have an excellent place-kicker."

Derek Wisnieski has completed 27 of 54 passes for 339 yards and just three touchdowns and four interceptions for the Indians. He has 110 carries for 425 yards and six scores.

Running back James Cavalancia has 58 carries for 441 yards and two touchdowns while Zach Smith has 100 carries for 385 yards and six TDs.

"We're an option team and we like to run the football," Zilinskas said. "We use a lot of different guys to do that."

Wisnieski's favorite targets in the passing game are David Watters with seven catches for 151 yards and a touchdown, along with Alex Valeski, who has 10 catches for 118 yards and a TD.

Place-kicker Lucas Kasubick has scored 30 points, including four field goals. His longest three-pointer is 40 yards.

Kasubick is being recruited by a number of Division II and III schools.

Knoch quarterback Jordan Shoop has completed 41 of 97 passes for 626 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. But he completed just three of 20 passes last week after missing a game with a separated shoulder.

"So much of our passing game is timing and it just wasn't in synch last week," King said. "I could see that coming in practice. But I think our passing game will be back this week.

"Franklin Regional is so big and strong. They would have been a playoff team in Quad-A this year and now they'll probably win our section."

Indiana averages 238 yards rushing per game. Highlands held the Indians to 75 last week.

David Bergamasco leads Knoch with 522 yards rushing and three TDs. Fullback Jamison Dohn adds 43 carries for 208 yards.

"Our running game isn't where we'd like it to be, particularly our interior running game," King said. "That's the challenge this week."

The Knights may have to play without center-linebacker Billy Elliott Friday. He is questionable with a sprained ankle.

Zilinskas is in his third year at Indiana. The team was 2-8 in 2002 before qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time as a Quad-A school with a 6-4 mark last year.

"We're very pleased with the progress we've made," Zilinskas said. "Playing late-season games with playoff berths on the line - this is what we've strived for."

Indiana reached the WPIAL playoffs as a member of the Greater Allegheny Conference in 1988 and 1989. The Indians were in Quad-A from 1990 through last year.