JEFFERSON TWP — A pair of old rivals will play an “old-school” football game Friday night at Knoch.

The Knights host Hampton at 7 p.m. in a season-opening non-conference game.

“This will have the feel of an old-school game,” Knoch coach Brandon Mowry said. “(Hampton coach) Jacque DeMatteo is bringing back his Wing-T and we're running our triple option.

“This will be two teams trying to run the ball right at each other all night.”

Hampton defeated Knoch 28-8 in last year's season opener, but went on to finish only 2-8. The Talbots have just four wins in the past three years.

Hampton has won its last five meetings with the Knights, squaring the all-time series between the teams at 25 wins each.

“This game is always a grind,” DeMatteo said. “We have to play physical because Knoch has a physical football team.”

Both teams have to replace productive and versatile quarterbacks from a year ago. Knoch's Chase Mullen threw for 789 yards and rushed for more than 600, scoring 13 touchdowns. Max Obenrader threw for 996 yards and rushed for 549 for Hampton, collecting a combined 11 TDs throwing and running.

Both players have graduated. Kam Grassi is assuming the controls for Knoch while Ian Andersson will step behind center for Hampton.

“Kam did a nice job in our scrimmage (against Mars),” Mowry said. “He was making the correct reads most of the time.”

While Hampton returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, DeMatteo did not use the Wing-T last season.

“Our quarterback is different, but everything is different,” the Talbot coach said. “Everything is new and the kids are making the adjustment.”

The Knights are bringing back 17 starters from a year ago.

“A lot of those guys are seniors who have been playing football together for five, six, seven years,” Mowry said. “That familiarity is important, especially early in the season.”

Mowry added that a number of players have been pleasant surprises in preseason camp, including freshman running back-safety Keagan Fraser, kicker Justin Tristani and outside linebacker Brady McKee.

“Unfortunately, we just found out Keagan has a stress fracture in his fibula, so we won't have him for a while,” Mowry said. “He was going to be part of our rotation.

“Justin's kickoffs, PATs and field goals have improved dramatically over the past week and a half. Brady has been aggressive at linebacker in coming up and stuffing the run.”

Matt Goodlin, who rushed for a school-record 1,441 yards in 2018, is back to anchor the Knights' offense. Hampton will employ a number of running backs, including Josh Andersson, Max Smith, Ben Horvat and Sean McLaughlin.

DeMatteo said his defense will have to “stay disciplined” to slow Knoch's running game.

“The triple option is just another offense to prepare for,” he said. “You face different offenses pretty much every week.”

Mowry, a 2002 Knoch graduate, will be making his head coaching debut Friday.

“We had a good scrimmage with Mars,” he said. “We moved the ball and our defense played really well. We're ready to go.”