Indiana is out of the WPIAL playoff picture. It is not out of motivation.

The Indians (3-4, 1-4) close their Greater Allegheny Conference schedule at Knoch (3-4, 1-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. They were eliminated from postseason consideration by a 41-6 loss to Franklin Regional last week.

That defeat completed a stretch of three games for Indiana against perennial contenders Pine-Richland, Hampton and Franklin Regional — all losses.

"We know what that's all about,"Knoch coach Mike King said. The Knights played — and lost — to all three of those teams successively as well.

With only one league game remaining, Indiana can't reach the playoffs. Knoch can make it with wins over Indiana this week and Highlands next week.

"This is still an important game to us,"Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas said. "They knocked us out of the playoffs the past two years, so we've developed a bit of a rivalry that way."

Knoch defeated Indiana 27-7 and 20-14 the past two years, using both victories to get into the playoffs.

"We've had some success against them,"King said. "Defensively, our kids have played well against Indiana. Offensively, we need to be productive."

The Knights are coming off a 21-16 win at Laurel Highlands, a win highlighted by two big scoring plays.

Kyle Reiser returned a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown and Zach Gross threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Dan Pickard.

"We only had the ball for 10 plays offensively in the first half,"King said. "It took us a while to get going. That was one of the longest bus rides we've had in a long time.

"We were able to throw the ball a bit more in the second half, but we need more consistent play.

"Teams have been manning up against us, crowding the line of scrimmage against the run. We have to be able to loosen them up a little bit," King added.

Indiana runs a veer option offense and is the only team in the Greater Allegheny Conference that does so. Quarterback Andy Degory has rushed for more than 500 yards and fullback Jason Snyder has nearly 600 yards and nine touchdowns.

"Those two guys get a lot of carries in our offense,"Zilinskas said. "Two other backs, Lance Lewandowski and Brandon Muharaj, get their share of touches, too."

Defensively, junior linebackers Snyder and Mike Solarz lead the Indians, along with defensive end Marcus Chakot.

After allowing only 10 total points to Ringgold and Derry Area in its first two games, Indiana has allowed 168, an average of 33.7 points per game, in its last five contests.

Zilinskas chalks that statistic up to quality competition.

"We play some of the best teams in the state in this league,"he said. "That forces you to become a better football team, and we have. Still, you hate to take those losses."

Knoch finally will be completely healthy this week as veteran lineman and tri-captain Seth Montgomery returns from a knee injury.

"We're excited from that standpoint,"King said of his team's health. "Our guys are ready to go.

"A win is what we needed and we got it. Now we have to keep it going. We're not even talking about the playoffs right now. Our focus needs to be on Indiana."