Forget that Quad-A school vs. Triple-A school stuff.

When it comes to Knoch's game at Plum Friday night, Plum coach Bill Rometo says it's inconsequential.

"It will be hard to tell which is the Quad-A school and which isn't," Rometo said. "We're similar in size, similar in numbers, similar in our approach to the game."

Knoch (2-3) is one of the bigger Class AAA schools in the WPIAL while Plum (1-4) is one of the smaller Class AAAA schools.

Both teams like a balanced attack, but the Knights may emphasize the ground game a little more Friday with starting quarterback Jordan Shoop on the sidelines. Shoop has a slight left shoulder separation.

"If this was a key league game, Jordan could probably play," Knoch coach Mike King said. "But I figure a non-section game is a good time to hold him out and let that shoulder heal a little bit."

Sophomore Dan Pickard will start behind center for the Knights.

"I'm sure we'll run the ball a lot more with Danny in there, but he's a capable quarterback who's looked good in practice," King said. "We'll see how things develop."

Shoop threw four touchdown passes in Knoch's 26-20 win over Highlands last week, the Knights' second straight win.

David Bergamasco leads Knoch's running game with 389 yards and three touchdowns. He is the only Knoch running back to rush for a TD so far this season.

Fullback Jamison Dohn has 31 carries for 177 yards on the campaign.

"They can do a lot of things," Rometo said of Knoch. "They throw the ball, they run the ball, use some option and some Pro-I. You have to respect those running backs because they were both productive last year."

Plum's lone victory this year is 30-19 over Trinity. The Mustangs have lost to Franklin Regional 7-3, Penn Hills 41-8, Gateway 48-12 and McKeesport 42-7.

"We weren't able to do much offensively against those powerful teams," Rometo said. "We got banged up against them, too.

"We've had two concussions, a knee injury and a collapsed lung in the past three weeks. We lost a tight end, guard, middle linebacker and outside linebacker."

Plum's quarterback, Gino Rometo, is the coach's son. He threw for 120 yards against Trinity, but threw 10 total interceptions in three other games.

Against Franklin Regional, Rometo completed just two of 20 passes and was intercepted three times. He threw touchdown passes of 59 yards to Tyler Schmeck and 26 yards to Anthony Diguilio against Gateway.

Sophomore running back Ryan Webb got loose for a 77-yard run against Franklin Regional, but had the ball knocked from his grasp before he could score.

"Ryan is our leading rusher, but doesn't have any appreciable yardage," Coach Rometo said. "We've struggled moving the football. Our highlights have been few and far between."

King will not dismiss Plum as easy pickings.

"That's a Quad-A school we're playing and we're looking forward to the challenge," he said. "Rometo has a strong arm and he can get the ball down the field.

"Their record is misleading because of the caliber of teams they've played. Our kids have been playing better each week and it's important we continue that improvement."